More vessels joining the fleet at the upcoming Viareggio gathering of historic sailboats

More than a dozen boats have already registered for the 11th Viareggio Gathering of Historic Sailboats (in Tuscany – ITALY), the most important end‐of‐season regatta gathering for vintage, classic and traditional sailboats. Participation is open to boats 7 – 25 meters and above in length and built between 1900 and the 1970s. Visitors can go on board and experience these vintage jewels up close. Corporate sponsors are being offered a not‐to‐be missed opportunity to showcase their brands.

JULY 2015 – Ardi (1968) is the Italian sailing hero Admiral Agostino Straulino’s regatta boat. Bufeo Blanco (1963) is returning to Viareggio after participating in the most important Mediterranean vintage sailboat gatherings. Valentina (1975) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its launching. The recently restored Oenone (1935) will be 80 years old and the elegant Margaret (1925) will be 90. Also joining are Ilda (1946), Estella (1946), Enrimar (1970), Birbona, Madifra 2, Albelimar III (formerly Dragonera), Nina V, and many others.

These are just a few of the vintage and classic boats that have already chosen to participate in the 11th Viareggio Gathering of Historic Sailboats to be held October 8‐11, 2015 and organized by the Associazione Vele Storiche Viareggio (Viareggio Historic Sailboat Association) in collaboration with the Club Nautico Versilia (Versilia Nautical Club) and the AIVE – Association Italiana Vele d’Epoca (Italian Vintage Sailboat Association). The regatta competitions are: match racing (beating an adversary in real time), handicap racing for CIM – Comitato Internazionale del Mediterraneo (International Mediterranean Committee) tonnage registered boats, and fleet racing. Boats that do not have tonnage measurement certificates can request certification by contacting the AIVE at www.aive‐yachts.org.

During the event all attendees can request to visit the boats moored at dock. Boarding these vessels is a unique way of going back in time and experiencing the golden age of yachting, when sailboats were a meeting point for gentry and sportsmen. This communality of spirit continues today with the owners of the splendid sailboats participating in the Viareggio gathering. Corporate sponsors of sports attire, nautical, financial and insurance services, wine and gastronomic producers, technology and manufacturing and the like wishing to showcase their brand and their products at the gathering should contact the event’s organizers. Participating sponsors will be guaranteed exposure to the vintage boat owners and the passionate fans that flock to Viareggio for the closing event of the season. Many prizes will be awarded on Sunday afternoon, October 11, starting with the ones for category winners (Vintage, Classic, Spirit of Tradition, IOR –International Offshore Rule). Sponsors can also give out their own awards for style, elegance or originality to one or more of the sailboats participating in the regattas or moored at dock. The handcraft manufacture Acqua dell'Elba (www.acquadellelba.it), whose brand is well known not only in Tuscany but also in the rest of Italy, will be one of the sponsor that will join to the event.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE VIAREGGIO GATHERING OF HISTORIC SAILBOATS

There is no fee to pre‐register for the 11th Viareggio Gathering of Historic Sailboats to be held October 8‐ 11, 2015. The first 20 sailboats that finalize registration by paying the required fee (200 Euro for yachts measuring less than 12 meters, 300 Euro for yachts measuring between 12 and 18 meters, and 400 Euro for yachts over 18 meters) will be rewarded in three ways: 20% discount on registration for the 2015 Gathering, 20% discount on the association fee for 2016, and a one year digital subscription to the prestigious magazine “Il Giornale della Vela” (Sailboat Journal). To register download the application (word or PDF) at www.velestoricheviareggio.org.