Raduno Vele Storiche

The Viareggio Historic Sailing Association

Founded on October 8, 2005 in Viareggio, the ASD Vele Storiche Viareggio was created in this city, guardian of a rich maritime and naval tradition, with the aim of enhancing and promoting the spirit and tradition of vintage yachting and the historical and cultural heritage that these boats represent. Among its objectives, the organization and participation in initiatives and events that promote the safeguarding and recovery of racing, pleasure and working boats of historical value, the conservation and dissemination of the heritage and traditions of the nautical navy and vintage and classic yachting, notably through the creation of paper and computer art archives.

In this line, the Association is also dedicated to all activities aimed at promoting publications in the field of design, construction, conservation and navigation of vintage and classic boats. Among the members, many enthusiasts, navigators and owners of historic boats. His presidency was succeeded by Francesco Barthel, Enrico Zaccagni - currently Commodore - and, since 2015, Gianni Fernandes, also founding partner and, with his wife Patrizia Cioni, owner of the 1946 Bermudian cutter Ilda.

On the occasion of its annual gathering of historic sails, the Association awards prizes and recognition to shipowners and crews who have been able to promote and communicate the historical and cultural heritage of their boats, projects, materials used, restorations carried out, the regattas in which they participated and the seas in which they sailed.

Since its first edition, the viareggino gathering has successfully launched the "Welcome aboard" initiative, animated with the availability and participation of shipowners and crews who welcome on board their passionate boats who wish to better know the secrets of the real protagonists of the event: boats of all orders and sizes with many stories to tell.

And there is a competition that, if managed carefully, brings joy to the sea and the dock. Preference has to date been given to real-time regattas. A technical committee, studied the meteorology, the itinerary and the design and construction typology of the registered boats, suggests a division into classes and brings together the direct challenges launched between two or more boats - with prizes put into play by the same crews - who can freely choose their opponents on the basis of their own affinity criteria. Since 2009, on the occasion of the 4th edition of the VDV Rally, a compensatory time classification dedicated to IOR boats has been put in place and, from the 10th edition, a CIM compensatory time classification has also been introduced by the 'AIVE.

To underline the philosophy of its social purpose, the VSV Association maintains collaborative relationships with other associations in the sector or similar. With this in mind, he implemented a project promoted by partner Roberto Giacinti during the VSV gathering of 2006, constituting with other important associations representative of vintage and historic boats, the Italian Federation of Historic Boats-FIBaS, in the aim of contributing forcefully and together to support the sector.

More information :

https://velestoricheviareggio.org