OYSTER REGATTA CLOSES YCCS 2010 CALENDAR

On the final day of the Oyster Jubilee Regatta, the international fleet of Oyster Yachts remained dockside at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda as the infamous Mistral wind arrived, gusting up to sixty knots and howling along the rugged coastline. The overall classification after three races therefore becomes final and the winners of this 25th Oyster Regatta are Trevor Silver with his Oyster 655 Roulette in Class One (yachts over 60ft long) and Gerde and Annemarie Kohlmoos with their Oyster 54 Sarabande in Class Two (LOA under 60ft). Prizes were also awarded to winners of each day’s race as well during the prize giving ceremony at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Clubhouse.
The 31 Oyster yachts enrolled in the regatta which took place from 21st to 25th September experienced a range of conditions over the course of the event, from light northerly breezes to 20 knots of south-easterly wind and from sunshine and blue skies to squalls and today’s gale force gusts. One constant at this regatta however has been the relaxed and friendly atmosphere which characterized racing as well as the exclusive social events Oyster owners enjoyed each evening.
Trevor Silver, owner of Roulette hails from London and was understandably pleased with his result: “Obviously we are delighted to win here in Porto Cervo. We have had a bit of luck but I believe that the secret to our success was that the core of this crew have been together for some time and get on extremely well. Although we still have a few debates on board!
I am absolutely delighted with the boat, Roulette has been fast since I got her two years ago and we have sailed her a lot, including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and recently the beautiful sailing grounds around Croatia. I plumped for the Oyster 655 because it is one of the sportiest models in the Oyster range; a fast hull shape and carbon mast gives Roulette a great turn of speed.”
Gerde and Annemarie Kohlmoos' Oyster 54 Sarabande comes from Hamburg, as do all of the crew and after sailing their new yacht out from the Oyster yard at Ipswich, they have cruised extensively in the Baltic Sea before bring her to the Mediterranean. As with the entire Oyster range, Sarabande has several bespoke features including a taller mast to increase performance. Her clean hull lines, powerful rig and a lower centre of gravity bulb keel have created a fast, stiff, comfortable passage maker.
Following the final prize giving owners, crews and the Oyster staff closed the event in style at the Gala Dinner hosted by the YCCS.

Oyster Regatta 2010 Porto Cervo. Credits: Tim Wright/Oyster


“We have organized numerous regattas this year,” commented YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo, “with boats ranging from Maxis and Superyachts to 8 metre one-design craft, but I can safely say that this has been one of the most entertaining we have hosted. The relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere combined with the beauty of the Oyster boats made for a wonderful week of sailing and socializing.”
This event closes the YCCS sporting season in Porto Cervo, details of the 2011 season will soon be available online.

CHAMPAGNE OPENER AT OYSTER REGATTA AT PORTO CERVO, COSTA SMERALDA (SARDINIA)

A fleet of 30 elegant Oyster sailing yachts took to the crystalline waters off Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda this morning for the first day of racing in the Oyster Jubliee Regatta. The 25th event in the Oyster Regatta series is taking place from 21st to 25th September and is hosted for the first time by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Racing started on schedule on a stunning 15 mile coastal course, using the granite islands of La Maddalena archipelago as natural buoys and a gentle northeasterly breeze built during the day giving the majestic Oyster fleet some spectacular sailing conditions. Azure blue sky and warm breeze typify the sailing grounds on the Costa Smeralda and today was no exception.
In Class One (yachts of 60ft and over), local knowledge clearly came in handy as Alberto Vignatelli’s Oyster 72, Albertone 3, took line honours and a corrected time victory. Vignatelli has been a Member of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda for over 20 years and knows this regatta course better than most. Today was also his birthday making the victory even more special. Alberto was at the helm of his newly-launched Oyster 72 throughout and was clearly delighted as he crossed the finish line to take the gun. Trevor Silver’s Roulette V.2 and Richard Smith’s Sotto Vento, both Oyster 655s, took second and third place respectively.
Gerd and Annemarie Köhlmoos’ Oyster 54, Sarabande put in a polished performance, taking line honours in Class Two and also first in class on corrected time. Second across the line was Boarding Pass III, owned by Bill Munro and Susan Harris which slipped into third, however, on corrected time behind Mark Howard’s Oyster 56 Amanzi.
Michael Morris’ Oyster 72, Cookielicious, had a fantastic day on the water, despite being late for the start of today’s race and finishing at the tail end of Class One. Highlighting the family-oriented nature of the fleet Morris was accompanied by his sons and daughter-in-laws.
“We may not have achieved the result that we are capable of but we learnt a lot and all of the crew enjoyed the day immensely. Commented Morris who has chartered an Oyster complete with skipper and crew for the event. “Whilst I have been an Oyster owner for many years my Oyster 49 is back in Lymington. This is the sixth Oyster regatta that we have taken charge of the Oyster 72. The arrangement allows us to just enjoy the occasion and relax. The most important aspect of coming to an Oyster Regatta is to have a wonderful time on board a stunning yacht.”
Owners and crews enjoyed a welcome cocktail and dinner on the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Pool Terrace overlooking Porto Cervo Marina yesterday evening and the social programme Oyster regattas are renowned for continues with a cocktail reception and dinner on the beach-side terrace of the nearby Hotel Romazzino this evening.

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