| Orion radiates original
beauty. |
by the Portofino Rolex Trophy
Media Team
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Photos
By Carlo
Borlenghi for Rolex.
Edited by Peter Andrews. |
May 8, 2009. |
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Spotlight on ORION, original grandeur after a century of life
Here as the non-racing Guest of Honour during the Portofino Rolex Trophy is Orion, a 129’ gaff schooner launched in 1910 and built by Camper and Nicholson. A 25-person crew was originally needed to manoeuvre this beautiful yacht, sturdily designed by Charles Nicholson to handle the open sea and strong winds. |
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Orion.
Photo © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi.
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While she was originally built on order for the Spanish Royal Family under the name Sulvana, the purchase was never completed, and Sulvana hoisted a British flag and moved to Portsmouth under ownership of Colonel C.E. Morgan.
Since her beginnings, this yacht has continued to change hands throughout her life, surviving a turbulent history of constantly varying homeports that include Spain, Brittany, Argentina and the French Riviera. Her name has also undergone many changes, from Pais de France to Le Matin, Diane and Vira, she was finally given the name Orion in 1930, when she was sold to a Spanish owner and brought back to the Mediterranean. |
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Orion.
Photo © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi.
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A critical moment in the yacht’s history took place in 1966, when a strong Mistral wind broke both Orion’s masts on the way to Cap de Creus. When the deck was later seriously damaged as well, the yacht’s sail plan was redesigned to change her from a gaff to a staysail schooner.
The original schooner rigging was reinstated in 1998-99 and, as of 2003, her current owner has had her completely restored, inside and out, to her original splendour based on original documentation. |
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Orion.
Photo © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi.
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In recent years, Orion has taken part in some of the most important regattas dedicated to grand classic yachts, such as the Rolex Veteran Boat Rally, and has competed against other grand dames of the day including the 110’ Herreshoff schooner Mariette.
Present here in Portofino for the Portofino Rolex Trophy, Orion is a true wonder to behold, a beautifully restored representation of sailing history and design brought to life through expert workmanship and loving care. |
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The Portofino Rolex Trophy is organized by the Yacht Club Italiano, in collaboration with Circolo Velico of Santa Margherita Ligure and under the patronage of the Cities of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure.
Over the weekend, participants will be feted with a grand social program organized around the racing. On Saturday night, the social highlight of the weekend will be the Rolex Dinner Party at La Cevara, formerly a historic abbey (Abbazia di San Girolamo) founded in 1396 in the hills between Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. |
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Onboard Orion in Portofino
at sunset.
Photo © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi.
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| The Portofino Rolex Trophy is part of the Rolex Yachting Portfolio that includes over twenty world-class sailing events that take place around the world. Rolex is also the title sponsor of classic races such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart, the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race. |
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more information about the host club, Yacht Club Italiano,
and the Portofino Rolex Trophy, please visit their website
at www.yachtclubitaliano.it. |
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| Outimage and Rolex © 2009 |
