On 1 May 2023, after just one regatta held on Sunday 30 April in autumn weather conditions (the second race was cancelled due to lack of wind), Ojalà II, a Sparkman & Stephens built in aluminium in 1973 by the Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman, repeated last year's success by reconfirming its title as champion among the "Classic Yachts" in the waters of the Marina Cala de' Medici during the sixth edition of the International Sailing Week Accademia Navale Città di Livorno. Not only that. For this multi-winner One Tonner, which this year celebrates half a century since her launch, the unbeaten streak linked to the highest number of participations in the Settimana Velica continues, the first stage of the 2023 season dedicated to traditional yachts, which will end in October with the eighteenth edition of the Raduno Vele Storiche Viareggio. Second place in the Marina Militare's Grifone category, the historic 5.50 Metre S.I. (International Tonnage) of 1963 celebrating 60 years since her launch, followed by Chaplin of 1974, donated fifteen years ago by the Genoese Novi family to the Marina Militare. Fifty years since her launch also for Annarosa Francini's Berenice, an elegant 1973 Sangermani design that took the prize reserved for Classic IOR. The boat, a frequent visitor to Tyrrhenian gatherings, is distinguished at sea by her historic Dacron sails and Tiffany-coloured hull.

Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta

The Regatta was organised by the Naval Academy of the Navy of Livorno, the Lega Navale Italiana sez. of Livorno, the Yacht Club Cala de' Medici, AIVE (Associazione Italiana Vele d'Epoca) and VSV (Vele Storiche Viareggio). Among the sponsors and supporters of the International Sailing Week are Neri, Benetti, BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas, OLT Offshore LNG Toscana, Nautor's Swan, Leonardo, Drass, Sitep Italia, Marina Cala de' Medici, Foodinghy, GDM Gente di Mare.
2023 is the year of the Grifone, the historic wooden 5.50 Metre S.I. launched in 1963 in Sweden to a design by T. Ohlson. Its presence in Tuscany was only the beginning of a series of participations in important events and rallies that will continue in the coming months, including the first edition of the Classic Boat Show in Genoa from 19 to 21 May and the Class World Championship in Sardinia at the end of September. Grifone placed fourth at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and was World Champion among the 5.50s in Naples in 1965. Unforgettable was the crew of the time, led by future Admiral and hero of Italian sailing Agostino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the Star class in Helsinki in 1952, Massimo Minervini and Bruno Petronio. In Livorno Grifone was led by Captain Giuseppe Cannatà, Director of Marivela as well as Vice President of the Italian Vintage Sails Association and Sail Training Association Italia, and Lieutenants Michele Renna and Mauro Patruno. The Livorno ANMI (National Association of Sailors of Italy), in the person of its president Sergio Laganà, also awarded the prize for the oldest vintage boat, a reproduction of a painting by the painter Lorenzo Palazzi, and the prize for being the first Italian Navy boat to reach the finish line.

Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta
Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta
Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta
Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta
Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta
Ojalà II, victorious season debut at the Livorno Vintage Sails Regatta

The Marina Cala de' Medici hosted the visit of the new commander of the Livorno Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Lorenzano Di Renzo, who spoke with the students embarked on Chaplin, the Bermudan cutter that next year will celebrate 50 years since its launch. The boat, built by the Sangermani shipyard to a design by Trieste-born Carlo Sciarrelli, was commanded by Frigate Captain Giancarlo Fabiano. Over the next few weeks Chaplin will undergo a series of maintenance operations in anticipation of the possible presence of the President of the Republic on board during the summer.