Aive: the 2010 programs

Working together to keep alive and promote the traditions that have created the history of Italian yachting, and more. That’s the worthy aim that inspired a collaboration between two giants of the Italian sailing world - the AIVE (Italian Vintage Sail Association) and the Italian navy - which share a love of the nautical culture. “AIVE’s basic objective is to preserve the historical, artistic and technical heritage embodied by vintage yachts. It’s a praiseworthy endeavour, and one the navy shares and encourages,” explains Admiral Franco Paoli, commander-in-chief of the Upper Tyrrhenian naval sector. “Our historic ships, especially the Vespucci, plus the Palinuro, Italia, Orsa Maggiore, Capricia, Stella Polare, Corsaro Secondo, Caroly and Chaplin, frequently take part in competitive and cultural events for vintage craft, so the navy’s interest in this collaboration is clear. The rules mean that the navy’s head of sports sailing takes on the role of vice-president.”

This fruitful coalition resulted in the organisation of the Durand de la Penne Challenge, a circuit that’s enjoyed a great deal of success and will be held once again in 2010. “The trophy is in honour of the admiral it’s named after, who won the gold medal for valour as a commando in the Second World War,” explains Gianni Loffredo, president of AIVE. “The award, graced by the four stars of its patron, navy chief of staff admiral Paolo La Rosa, was presented to the craft obtaining the highest ranking in at least eight of the races at La Spezia between the 11th and 14th June, the transfer race from La Spezia to Marciana Marina (14th-15th June) and the races in Aethalia Epoca Race at Elba (Marciana Marina, 18th to 21st June). The winners were Manta (1935), owned by Ernesto Irace from Naples, in the vintage yacht category and Chaplin (1974) in the classic yachts. It was a wonderful experience, the culmination of an unforgettable year for the AIVE.” In fact, for the association, based at the Italian Yacht Club of Genoa, 2009 was garlanded with success. “As well as helping organise the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge,” Loffredo continued, “We celebrated a very important anniversary - the 110th birthday of Bona Fide, one of the magnificent yachts owned by our members. Bona Fide is a gaff-rigged cutter designed and built by English yacht designer Charles Sibbick at his Cowes yard in 1899. At the moment she belongs to Giuseppe Giordano. After her restoration Giordano took her to victory in the Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge in 2004 and 2006.”

Will 2010 match the brilliance of 2009? “All the omens are there,” Loffredo concludes. “We’re going to organise the Durand de la Penne Challenge with the navy, then there’ll be the usual events at Porto Rotondo and the Aletti Trophy in Naples. Not to mention another important birthday - Orion’s 100th. She’s a Bermuda-rigged cutter designed by Charles E. Nicholson in 1910. It’ll be another unforgettable year.”

Gaia Grassi

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