5.5m Class World Championships at Porto Santo Stefano - Preview

An international fleet of 5.5m class yachts racing © Jakez

World racing returns to the Argentario and to the Yacht Club Porto Santo Stefano with the 5.5 Metre International Class. The Scandinavian Gold Cup, the Classic Cup and the Evolution Cup starting next Wednesday, 17 September are the perfect warm-up leading up to the 5.5m World Championship 2014 (21-26 September 2014), also taking place in Maremma's pristine waters.

Almost 40 boats from 9 countries have already entered the World Championship and for the next two weeks sailors from Austria, Bahamas, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Italy will be facing off with the ancient Roman harbour of Talamone and Giglio Island serving as a backdrop to the racecourse. Among the many athletes competing, German Markus Wieser will be defending his World Champion title.

"We could not have imagined a better season finale than this!" states Marco Poma, Sports Director of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano. "Hosting a World Championship in our waters is a true privilege. Over the years, Staff members of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano Staff have worked with passion and dedication, closely collaborating with local public authorities and sponsors. Thanks to everyone's hard work and commitment, Argentario has now become the ideal location to hold international sailing events". Last June, the Yacht Club Porto Santo Stefano led by President Piero Chiozzi hosted 15th edition of the Argentario Sailing Week - Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge. 45 Grandes Dames of the Sea took part in the international regatta reserved to vintage and classic yachts.

The 5.5m World Championship Schedule - On Sunday 21 September at 6.30 p.m. the Opening Ceremony will be held at the Yacht Club Santo Stefano Club House. On Monday, after the skippers briefing, the forty crews will leave the docks in time for the first warning signal scheduled for 11.30 a.m. Racing continues until Friday, September 26. The World Championship awards ceremony will be held at the ancient Fortress of Porto Santo Stefano on Friday late afternoon.

The International 5.5 Metre Class was born in England in 1949 and was Olympic class from 1952 until 1968. Sailing with a crew of three, the 5.5m is still very popular both in Italy and abroad. The 5.5m IC World Fleet Online Database estimates that approximately 800 boats have been built around the World. The Class is divided into three divisions: Classic (designs before 1970), Evolution and Modern (designs from 1994).

The World Championship of the International 5.5 Metre Class is organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, with the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto, and the Municipality of Monte Argentario and with the support of the Pro Loco of Porto Santo Stefano.

Sponsors of the event include Tenuta Agricola dell'Uccellina, NYL FTS and Argentarola srl. the Cantiere Navale dell'Argentario, the Chamber of Commerce of Grosseto and the Nurseries Garden Vivai Mediterranei. The Consortium LaMMA provides detailed weather forecasts for the racecourse.

www.5point5worlds.org