SARDINIA 2010: FARR 40 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 SET TO START IN PORTO ROTONDO

Preparations are well underway in Porto Rotondo for the 11th edition of the Farr 40 European Championship. Racing in the event, organized by the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo in conjunction with the Farr 40 Class Association and the Farr 40 European Fleet, begins Thursday 30th September and will continue through Sunday 3rd October 2010. The ten participating crews are currently completing registration, sail measurement and weight controls as well as fitting in some practice on the regatta course off Porto Rotondo prior to the start of competition.



Up to ten races will be held over the course of the four-day event aboard identical Farr 40 sailing yachts. The Class enforces a strict owner-driver rule which ensures fierce competition in the fleet and - as in all one-design events - racing is close, tactical and exhilarating.
Competitors to watch will certainly include three-time class World Champion (1998, 2004 and 2009) and Farr 40 Class President, Jim Richardson aboard his Barking Mad (USA), as well as current world title holder Massimo Mezzaroma with his Nerone (ITA). Wolfgang Schaefer’s Struntje Light (GER), will also be a strong competitor having won the Audi Sardinia Cup with team Germany in nearby Porto Cervo in June 2010. Although the Corinthian spirit is strong within the class, the standard of racing is extremely high and this event has attracted renowned sailors such as Vasco Vascotto aboard Nerone, Hamish Pepper on Barking Mad, Chris Larson aboard Plenty (USA) and Ray Davies on Fiamma (ITA).
The Farr 40 European Championship 2010 also represents the second, conclusive event in the class’ European Circuit. During the final prize giving scheduled to take place at the YCPR on Sunday 3rd October, the European Championship Perpetual Trophy and the European Circuit Perpetual Trophy will be awarded in addition to a Corinthian Trophy for the best placed amateur crew.
In addition to on-the-water action participants will enjoy a full social programme including welcome and farewell cocktails at the Yacht Club Porto Rotondo and a gala dinner at the nearby Hotel Sporting. The Farr 40s are not new to Porto Rotondo, having completed a leg of their European circuit here in April 2009. Just a few months later, however, the Clubhouse was virtually destroyed in a fire which led to the complete reconstruction of the YCPR headquarters so owners and crews will be able to enjoy the new facilities provided by the host club for the first time.
Luigi Carpaneda, Commodore of YCPR commented: “We are very happy to have the Farr 40 fleet back in Porto Rotondo and we hope that our collaboration with the class will continue for many years to come.
"The European Farr 40 fleet is delighted to be back racing in Porto Rotondo again," echoed Wolfgang Schaefer, President of the European Farr 40 fleet. It is a wonderful venue and the newly rebuilt Clubhouse is even more charming than before. Of course the regatta course and the conditions off the north-east coast of Sardinia are among the best in the world and we are looking forward to some excellent racing with ten top-level competitors.”For further information please visit http://www.farr40.org/ , http://www.farr40.net/ or http://www.ycpr.it/ or follow the Farr 40 class on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

Emirates Team New Zealand become first ever team to retain the Audi Med Circuit title in Cagliari, Sardinia

After Thursday’s coastal race the supreme Kiwis under skipper-helm Dean Barker had built themselves an unbeatable lead and in the end, after today’s one final blustery race in a Mistral of more than 28 knots off Cagliari, Sardinia the champions rounded out their second victorious season to finish 48.5 points ahead of Quantum Racing (USA) who finish runners-up, as they also did last season.. Alberto Roemmers’ Matador (ARG), the current world champions skippered by Guillermo Parada (ARG), comprehensively won the Region of Sardinia Trophy, the fifth and final regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit season, finishing 12.5 points ahead of Jochen Schuemann’s Franco-German crew on Audi A1 powered by All4ONE. The Kiwi 2010 champions, become the first team ever in the six year history of the circuit to win back-to-back MedCup Circuit champion titles. They won the top regatta trophy in Cascais, were fourth in Marseille, second in Barcelona, triumphed in Murcia and finished third on countback here in Cagliari. Emirates Team New Zealand set themselves on course for overall victory from the outset of the season in breezy Cascais, Portugal in May where they established an initial lead of 20 points, winning three races as well as the key coastal race there. When last season they streaked to win four in a row of 2009’s five regattas, unmatched consistency has underpinned their victory again this season.
They won ten of this 2010 season’s 44 52 Series races. Last year they won 14 races from 43 starts. Skipper Dean Barker, Emirates Team New Zealand’s skipper -helm highlighted today how much harder this season has been for them to prevail overall. Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the Quantum Racing (USA) crew finish second overall for the season, just five points ahead of Matador.
When they seized the lead on the second beat of today’s race the world champions seemed to have pulled themselves up to within touching distance of second place on the Circuit.
With incumbents Quantum Racing five boats behind it might then have gone down to a match race for second, but as they hoisted their kite for the final run it exploded and they were left sitting for minutes while four boats passed them.
They only just managed to get a new spinnaker filling to stay ahead of their green and black hulled adversaries. With a win in the final race of the season Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE finish second at this season’s finale, just as they also did in Portugal in May. Madrid-Caser Seguros dominate the 42sOverall victory for the season in the 42 Series was achieved with a day to spare by Jose Maria van der Ploeg (ESP)’s Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP).
Yesterday they ensured they could not be beaten for the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit title and today made it three in a row winning three of the season’s five regattas outright in Barcelona, Murcia and the Region of Sardinia Trophy. The road to victory in the 42 Series had some bumps for overall winners Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP), with the series runners-up and defending 2009 season champions Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) easily winning in Cascais with a huge 10 point margin. And in performing well in the lighter air races other teams like Iberdrola (ESP) and AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA) were always poised to pounce, while Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) suffered bad luck in the first two stages with a broken masthead crane.But the teamwork came together for skipper Jose Maria van der Ploeg (ESP) and helmsman Paolo Cian (ITA), with their excellent speed, boathandling and tactical potential becoming apparent by their first stage win in Barcelona, and just accelerating after this.“The team has been improving at every stage,” said an ecstatic van der Ploeg, “And now we are at the maximum, exactly where we wanted to be.”
The next 52 Series event is the world championships for the class which runs 5th to 9th October in Valencia, Spain.The 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit starts in May next year.

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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Registrations open for the SARDINIA MOUNTAIN BIKE RALLY 2011

After the success of the third edition held in 2010 along the paths and dirt roads of the Province of Ogliastra, organisation of the 4th edition of the Sardegna Bike rally – to be held from 12 to 18 June 2011 – is now in full swing, but with a few changes. The first novelty is that the date has been postponed one week compared to last year. The second is that one more leg has been added, bringing the total from 5 to 6. Third piece of news is the early registration rate, 400.00 euro until 30 October, while the other deadlines are:
1st registration: € 400.00 by 30 October 2010
2nd registration: € 500.00 by 30 November 2010
3rd registration: € 600.00 by 31 December 2010
4th registration: € 700.00 after 1 January 2011
Accompanying persons: € 350.00Raid Tourist (same prices as for competitors)



The slogan for 2011 will still be “From mountain to sea”, that is from the peaks and paths of the Gennargentu mountains to the stunning beaches of Ogliastra, at the start of the summer season, when the island is not yet teeming with tourists and reserves its beauty for mountain bikers. In the coming days we will also publish the rates for a whole week of accommodation in a seaside tourist resort, an offer that we are sure will be appreciated by the athletes’ families, who will be able to take this opportunity to enjoy a wonderful beach holiday.As is our tradition, the routes, organised by Corrado Deiana have been renewed, paying great attention to technical and landscape aspects. This fourth edition is sponsored by the Regional Government of Sardinia, through its Ministry of Tourism, by the Agency Sardegna Promozione, the Tourist Department of the Ogliastra Province, the Union of Ogliastra Municipalities, the Municipality of Arzana, the Municipality of Taluna, Aspen – An Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Nuoro – and by Penta Power endurance sport nutrition, as well as all the Municipalities crossed by the rally.

You can register online on http://www.rallydisardegnabike.it/ where you will soon also find all the news on the new route.

CARIBBEAN SUPERYACHT REGATTA & RENDEZVOUS 2011

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is pleased to announce the inaugural Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous which will take place from March 16th to 20th, 2011 in the idyllic setting of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda together with Boat International Media, the event is designed to bring together superyacht owners from across the globe and will also mark the launch of a new Superyacht Marina and Yacht Club in North Sound, Virgin Gorda (BVI).
The Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous is open to sailing and motor yachts of 80 feet (24.4 metres) in length and above. Three days of racing under the IRC rating system are scheduled for the sailing fleet which will be split into various divisions in order to accommodate superyachts ranging in size and technical specifications.

Salperton during the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2010 in Porto Cervo. Credits: Rick Tomlinson



A number of on-the-water activities will be organized for participating motor yachts including a Cruise–in-Company, a treasure hunt around North Sound, culinary and cocktail competitions along with water sports, a ladies’ programme and plenty of family entertainment. All participants will enjoy an exclusive social programme including elegant cocktail receptions, beach parties and gala dinners as well as traditional Caribbean hospitality courtesy of Oil Nut Bay Resort in North Sound.
“The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and BIM created the highly successful annual Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in 2008. Building on this success it seemed logical to develop a series of international superyacht regattas and the BVI with their beautiful waters sounded like the perfect location.” commented Riccardo Bonadeo, YCCS Commodore. “We look forward to organizing racing in the Sir Francis Drake Channel and around the islands of the archipelago. It will be reminiscent of our own regatta course in Sardinia where islands and rocks act as natural buoys. We hope that our experience in organizing Maxi and Superyacht Regattas will contribute to making this a firm favourite on the superyacht calendar.”
Renowned for offering some of the world’s most beautiful and protected waters, the BVI provide the perfect setting for what is set to be a gathering of the largest, most spectacular and fastest sailing superyachts in circulation alongside an equally impressive collection of motor yachts. Developed by Victor International to the highest standards of design and construction, the host Yacht Club in North Sound is scheduled to open during the winter 2010 season and will be linked to the new Oil Nut Bay Luxury Resort Community and Beach Club and Biras Creek Resort.
Sailing yachts that have already shown an interest in attending the inaugural event include newly-launched yachts such as the Huisman-built 156ft Twizzle and the Dubois-designed 164ft sloop Zefira, built by Fitzroy. Alloy’s 192ft fast cruising sloop Kokomo, the Dubois-designed Salperton, the 100ft Farr-designed racer cruiser Leopard and the 136ft ft J-Class sailing yacht Ranger also hope to participate.
Motor yachts include Lurssen’s 197ft Linda Lou, the 130ft Westport Resolute and the 150ft Trinity Vita.
For further information, please visit the http://t.contactlab.it/c/2001580/486/177261/1962 website.

Day Two of the Rolex Swn Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Swan 45 start. Rolex Swan Cup 2010. Credits: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex.

On Day Two of the Rolex Swan Cup 2010, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and underway until Sunday 19th September in Costa Smeralda (Sardinia), the 92 boats enrolled had a brief wait for the breeze to fill in before the first starting signal was sounded at 1 p.m. The overall leaders at the conclusion of today’s racing were the Swan 90 DSK Pioneer Investment (ITA) in the Maxi class, Silveren Swaen (NED) in the Grand Prix class and Monsoon Jaguar (GBR) among the Classics. Meanwhile in the one-design fleets Earlybird (GER) occupies the top spot in the battle for the Rolex Swan 45 World Championship while Kora 4 (ITA) continues to lead in the Club Swan 42 class.The Swan 45s completed a further three windward-leeward races today, bringing them to a total of five races completed in the series. Today’s first race, which got underway in approximately 8 knots of north north-westerly breeze which would gradually shift left over the course of the afternoon, went to Charisma (NED), owned by Nico Poons and with New Zealand sailor Ray Davies calling tactics. Tea Ekengren’s Blue Nights (FIN) which has Jochen Schuemann on tactics came in second. The second race saw Charisma take her second bullet of the day ahead of Jeroboam Ca’nova (ITA), owned by Swan 45 class President Vittorio Codecasa. Today’s third and final race started in approximately 8 knots of wind from 300° which shifted dramatically during the first downwind leg resulting in the course being repositioned during racing to 190°. Earlybird, owned by Hendrik Brandis won the final race ahead of Vittorio Ruggero’s Talj (ITA) in second, this second bullet was sufficient to bring Brandis to the top of the overall classification ahead of Charisma and Belgium’s Samantaga–Duvel owned by Philippe Moorgat and Patrick Van Henr. The Swan 42s completed two windward-leewards with the third race being abandoned due to the impossibility of setting the course during the wind shift that affected the Swan 45s. Enrico Scerni’s Kora 4 took her third consecutive bullet in the first race. Scerni won in this class in the 2008 edition of the Rolex Swan Cup and is certainly a strong competitor for the Rolex prize at the end of the week. Cuordileone (ITA) took second and Romania’s Natalia third.


Rolex Swan Cup 2010. Swan 90 DSK - Maxi class. Credits: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex.

In the second race of the day it was Nautor’s Swan President Leonardo Ferragamo, with America’s Cup legend Paul Cayard calling tactics aboard his Cuordileone, who dominated. Kora 4 took second with Natalia in third. The overall classification still sees Kora in first place with a five-point delta from Natalia, Cuordileone is in third.The Maxi class groups together the 21 largest boats in the fleet, from the 18.3 metre Swan 601s @Robas and Cuordisole to the three competing 30-metre Frers-designed Swan 100s Fantasticaaaniene (ITA), Hoppetosse (ITA) and Varsovie (USA). The class completed a 31 mile course which brought them from the start off Porto Cervo to round Spargi to starboard before doubling back to Porto Cervo. DSK Pioneer Investment was once again the fastest boat around the course in real time, a lead she retained in corrected time ahead of the Swan 112 Mystery and the Swan 90 White Lie (ITA). DSK’s win today puts Salsi in first place overall, knocking Johann Killinger’s Swan 60 Emma into second place ahead of White Lie.The Grand Prix class – 24 boats under 18.29 metres - were set a 21 mile course from Porto Cervo to the Secca Tre Monti. The Swan 56 Vanish II (ITA) took line honours but slipped back to fifth place in corrected time while the top spots were taken by P.H.J. Bakker’s Swan 53 Silveren Swaen, Crilia (GER) and the Swan 56 Clem (ESP) respectively. The overall classification sees the Dutch boat lead Clem by one point which is in turn one point ahead of the Swan 53 Crilia.Peter Simon’s Monsoon Jaguar was the fastest around the same course among the Sparkman & Stephens designed models competing in the Classic class. She also led in corrected time with two Italian boats, Giuseppe Puttini’s Shirlaf and Francesco Persio’s Dream in second and third place respectively, all three boats retain the same positions in the overall classification. Racing is scheduled to continue tomorrow, 16th September at 11.30 AM with all classes frollowing a coastal course.For further information including the entry list, NOR, courses and full results please visit http://www.yccs.it/ , http://www.regattanews.com/ or http://www.holidays-in-sardinia.com/ for accomodation in Sardinia, Costa Smeralda, Olbia and Porto Cervo.

Rolex Swan Cup 2010 in Porto Cervo, Sardinia: Patience pays...

After a long wait caused by an agitated sea state left over from yesterday’s strong winds, racing in the Rolex Swan Cup 2010 got started at 3.30 p.m. in 12 to 15 knots of northerly breeze. The owners and crews of the 92 boats enrolled in the biennial event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda were kept ashore until early afternoon as the YCCS Race Committee waited for the wind to fall, as forecast, below 22 knots.

Rolex Swan Cup 2010. Swan 42 Kora 4. Credits: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex.


Leaders of their respective divisions on completion of Day One’s coastal course were Emma (GER) in the Maxi division, Clem (ESP) in the Grand Prix class and Monsoon Jaguar (GBR) among the Classics. In the one design classes, each of which completed two windward-leeward races, Andrea Masi’s Ulika (ITA) has taken an early lead among the Swan 45s competing for their annual World Championship while Kora 4 (ITA) is top of the classification in the Club Swan 42 class.“We had boats out controlling the sea state all morning,” explained PRO Peter Craig, “but we had 3 metre waves and 20 to 25 knots. It would not have been a good idea to send people out on the first day of racing to break equipment and take unnecessary risks. The event encompasses a wide range of boats and sailors, some of whom are very experienced, others less so. We decided to hang tight and thankfully we got a good, fair race in and the feedback from the fleet has been positive.”In the Swan 45 class nine boats representing six nations completed two windward-leeward courses, each of approximately 7 miles. Race one of the event started in 12 to 15 knots of northerly wind and saw Hendrik Brandis, owner of Early Bird (GER) triumph over Ulika, and Charisma (NED), owned by Nico Poons. Dutchman Poons is the reigning Swan 45 World Champion and has America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race veteran Ray Davies calling tactics. Ulika won race two ahead of Earlybird leaving both teams on equal points in the overall classification but the Italians ahead of the Germans on countback. Charisma sits in third place overall.


Rolex Swan Cup 2010. Swan 80 Berenice - Maxi class. Credits: Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex.


Masi was clearly pleased with today’s result: “For us it was a real pleasure, we were always able to sail free after the start. We really have a very good speed, we found the right tuning which was not easy at all today with the choppy sea and high waves coming from all sides, even more difficult to sail with quite light winds – so really it was great fun to find the right path.”Five Club Swan 42s, designed by German Frers for the New York Yacht Club, are competing in the regatta. Enrico Scerni’s Kora 4 won the first race ahead of Romanian team Natalia and Barry Simpson’s English crew aboard Long Echo. Scerni took a second bullet in Race Two and was followed once again by Natalia and Long Echo leaving the same pecking order reflected in the overall classification. The Maxi class (LOA over 18.29 metres) followed a 25 nautical mile coastal course which took them west from Porto Cervo to round the Secca Tre Monti before heading upwind to the Monaci island. A long run to Mortoriotto followed before the final leg brought the fleet to the finish line just off Porto Cervo. Marco Rodolfi’s newly launched Swan 80 Berenice with Tiziano Nava on tactics led the Swan 90 White Lie and Danilso Salsi’s 90-foot DSK Pioneer Investment around the weather mark positioned approximately 2 miles from the start. By the Secca Tre Monti DSK had taken control of the fleet and held her lead throughout to finish ahead of White Lie, and Fantasticaaaniene, with Vasco Vascotto on tactics. It was Johann Killinger’s new Swan 60 Emma, however, that took victory in corrected time with White Lie in second and DSK in third.The Grand Prix class (LOA under 18.29 metres) completed a 20 mile coastal course which took them west past the Secca Tre Monti and on to the Gulf of the Saline before turning for Monaci and the finish off Porto Cervo. Amanda Hartley’s Swan 56 Clem took line honours and corrected time victory over P.H.J. Bakker’s Silveren Swaen (NED) and Crilia (GER), owned by Heinz-Gerd Stein.The Classic class, made up of Sparkman & Stephens designs, followed a similar course to the Grand Prix Class but rounded the Secca Tre Monti before heading towards Monaci and the finish off Porto Cervo for a total course length of 17 nautical miles. The Swan 65 Moonson Jaguar (GBR), owned by Peter Simon led from early on followed by Giuseppe Putini’s Shirlaf (ITA). These two held their positions for the duration to cross the finish line ahead of Francesco Persio’s Swan 47 Dream (ITA). All three retained their placings in corrected time. Racing is scheduled to continue September 15th at 11.30 AM. For further information including the entry list, NOR, courses and full results please visit www.yccs.it , www.regattanews.com or www.holidays-in-sardinia.com for accomodation.

Costa Smeralda, Sardinia: MAXI BREEZE AT THE MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP

Porto Cervo, 7th September 2010. Day Two of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda brought spectacular racing as the 47 competing giants caught strong and steady south-easterly wind and some big waves. Eighteen to 20 knots of warm sirocco wind accompanied the Mini Maxis, competing for their inaugural World Championship, throughout 3 windward-leeward races while the rest of the fleet completed a 36 mile course in and around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago. Overall leaders in their respective divisions are: Hamilton II (Racing & Racing/Cruising), Y3K (Wally) and Highland Fling (Super Maxi). Ranger continues to lead Velsheda among the J Boats and Andy Soriano’s Alegre dominates among the Mini Maxis with four wins out of five races held so far.

Alegre. Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2010 Credits Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex.

The Mini Maxis began racing on schedule at 12.05 p.m. The first race of the day, race 3 of the series, was held in 18 to 20 knots of wind from 130°. The race, which had a total length of approximately 9 nautical miles, was won by Niklas Zennstrom’s Ran (GBR). Neville Crichton’s Shockwave, overall winner of the Giraglia Rolex Cup 2010, came in second on corrected time while Germany’s Container came in third. Race 4 saw Andy Soriano’s Alegre (GBR) back on form to take her third bullet of the series ahead of Ran and Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente (USA). The 24 competing Mini Maxis started their third and final race of the day at 3.10 p.m. with the wind still blowing at 18 knots from 130°. Alegre and Ran once again took first and second respectively while Container came in third.
The Mini Maxis have now completed five out of a possible nine races in the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship and Alegre sits three points ahead of Ran in the overall classification with Shockwave a further five points behind in third place. The fleet will face a slightly different challenge tomorrow with a coastal race planned for the class and further strong breezes predicted.
The remainder of the fleet enjoyed a wild ride around the islands which act as natural buoys in the regattas organized by the YCCS. From the start off Porto Cervo, the Maxis headed on a run to the Monaci island which they left to port heading back towards the mainland. They then sailed up the coast, passing between Punta Sardegna and the largest of the islands in the archipelago, La Maddalena, before turning north as far as Barrettinelli di Fuori and heading upwind around the outside of the archipelago to the finish line off Porto Cervo.
While Igor Simcic’s Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) was the fastest boat around the course, covering 36 nautical miles in 2 hours and 52 minutes, she placed second on corrected time behind Irvine Laidlaw’s Highland Fling (GBR). Singularity, with Volvo Ocean Race veteran Bouwe Bekking helming, took third. These three boats hold the same positions in the overall classification.
The eight-boat Super Maxi division was also fast around the course with both Hasso Plattner’s Visione and Albert Buell’s Saudade (MLT) crossing the finish line in just over 3 hours. Corrected time, however, saw Hetairos (CAY) take victory ahead of Salperton (CAY) and Visione. Hamilton II retains her lead in the overall classification ahead of Hetairos in second and Visione in third.

Hamilton II. Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2010. Credits Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex.

Magic Carpet2 (GBR) was the first Wally home today in real time and also took victory in corrected time. Peter Offen’s Y3K (GER) took second place ahead of Andrea Recordati’s Indio (ITA). Y3K leads the overall classification after two races ahead of Magic Carpet, owned by Lindsay Owen-Jones and J-One (GBR) owned by Jean Charles Decaux.

Sardinia: Preparations for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup underway in Porto Cervo

Preparations for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup which will take place in Porto Cervo from 5th to 11th September are in full swing. Forty-nine yachts are due to take part in the annual regatta which has been organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda since 1980. Twenty-four of the participating boats will compete in the Mini Maxi division for the title of Mini Maxi Rolex World Champion 2010.




Throughout this inaugural edition of the Mini Maxi Worlds technical controls will be rigorous and each of the vessels must undergo weighing and measurement. Inspections have already begun at the nearby Portisco Marina using equipment and scales specially designed and constructed for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the International Maxi Association for this regatta. For the first time each boat, some of which weigh as much as 20 tons, will be hauled out, fully exposing their hull and keel and providing precise data to determine the yacht’s handicap rating.
The Mini Maxis range from 18 to 24 metres and will line up on the quays of Porto Cervo Marina alongside the rest of the Maxi fleet, several of which are over 40 metres long. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup regularly attracts some of the world’s top yachtsmen and women and racing is scheduled to start on Monday 6th September. The event will conclude with a final prize giving in the Yacht Club’s Piazza Azzurra on 11th September.

Whether rural or stylish, on the coast or in the island interior, you will find the right one for you in our broad selection of hotels:All Hotels, exclusive Hotels, Design-Hotels, Wellness-Hotels, traditional Hotels, Club holidays, Alberghi Diffusi, Mini Hotels, Apartment Hotel, Residence, Holiday Resorts, all Hotels: close to the beach, with pool and close to the beach

Here I Stay Festival in Guspini, Sardinia in July 2010

The Here I Stay Festival returns to Sardinia in July 2010! Its fifth edition is scheduled for the 30th, 31st of July and the 1st of August at the Sleepwalkers Club (Guspini, CA). Given the success of the previous editions, the tent area is limited. As usual, the rule is: first come, first served! The tent area will be assigned to the ticket holders upon arrival and subject to availability.
This year edition keeps the formula of the past editions: 2 stages, 24 bands and Djs from Sardinia, Italy, Europe, and United States. The tent area located in the middle of a grove of olive trees. Exhibitions, workshops, games, stand. Party and an intimate atmosphere, plus the sea of the Costa Verde at only 30 min drive.

Special Offers: special occasions, bargain breaks and promotions for you holidays in Sardinia ... Last Minute, early booking , special offers, Wellness offers, honey moon offers , family offers, Single with child offers, Single-fiendly prices, senior citizen discounts

TEAM AZZURRA PREPARES TO RACE ON HOME GROUND. AZZURRA ’83 ON DISPLAY AT OLBIA COSTA SMERALDA AIRPORT

The countdown is on with just over a week to go until the start of racing in the third event of the Louis Vuitton Trophy, scheduled to be held in La Maddalena, Sardinia from 22nd May to 6th June. The crew of Azzurra, flying the burgee of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, have spent the past weeks training (in Valencia on America’s Cup boats) and competing in regattas (Olympic classes, match-race and one-design) and are now preparing to return to Porto Cervo. The YCCS Clubhouse which will be the team’s operational base during the La Maddalena event.
Team Azzurra, together with fans and spectators arriving in Sardinia, will be welcomed by the YCCS’s legendary International 12 Metre yacht Azzurra which has been completely restored to her original splendour and is now on display at the arrivals zone of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. Azzurra rose to fame when in 1983 she became the first Italian participant in the America’s Cup, reaching the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Her restoration was entrusted to the Maxi Dolphin shipyard in 2009 and entailed nine months and 6,000 hours of work. The hull was completely recoated with an epoxy matrix. The surface was repainted to recreate the exact original colour scheme, thanks to a sample found in the archives of the Valliccelli offices. In order to bring the deck to its original condition, the restoration team had to study in detail all the images and drawings of Azzurra at the time of her launch. The deck, which over time had suffered the effects of oxidation, had to be completely taken apart, anodized and polished; some elements, which had been lost, had to be meticulously recreated from scratch. Azzurra was recently exhibited at the Milan boat show before being brought to Olbia where she will remain throughout the summer season.
The Louis Vuitton Trophy – La Maddalena will begin on 18th May with official training sessions for the teams aboard the four America’s Cup Class boats provided by the organization: ITA 90, ITA 99, USA 87 e USA 98. The format of the event provides for an initial Round Robin where each team will meet each of their opponents in turn. The top eight teams will then progress to the next stage where the top classified teams will compete against those in the bottom half of the classification. The winning teams will then go on to race in the semi-finals and finals.
Ten of the strongest teams in the world, representing eight nations, will compete in the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena and a further two renowned Italian teams will participate alongside Azzurra: Mascalzone Latino Audi team, Challenger of Record for the 34th America’s Cup, and Luna Rossa. America’s Cup Defender BMW ORACLE Racing will also participate, as will Emirates Team New Zealand, winner of the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland (March 2010) who were defeated, however, by Azzurra in the event held in Nice (November 2009).Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and President of Azzurra, is pleased to see the team sailing in home waters: “These will undoubtedly be spectacular and highly technical regattas, not only due to the extraordinary level of the participating teams, but also thanks to one of the most challenging and striking regatta courses in the world. The presence of three teams flying the Italian flag is sure to attract a lot of interest from the general public, both nationally and internationally, and will boost tourism in the area. Sailing as a sport has a strong following in Italy and I hope these wonderful races and Azzurra’s undertakings will inspire a host of young sailors.”
Giovanni Maspero, Azzurra’s Team Principal adds: “The Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena represents another significant step which will strengthen the excellent work the team has done. We’ll be racing on home waters and this will certainly put extra pressure on the crew, our supporters have high expectations but it is important to remember that the level in this event will be the highest of the series, Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle are back in competition with their full crews and looking to perform well from the start. Azzurra, in addition to preparation carried out in Valencia, has a great crew in her favour as well as meticulous organization ashore which allows the athletes to take to the water feeling motivated and relaxed. Each event is an end unto itself, a clean sheet on which to write the next chapter of challenges that Azzurra will strive towards.”
The ten teams participating in the Louis Vuitton trophy in La Maddalena are:

Aleph, FRA, skipper Bertrand Pacé
All4One, FRA/GER, skipper Jochen Schumann
Artemis, SWE, skipper Paul Cayard
Azzurra, ITA, skipper Francesco Bruni
BMW ORACLE Racing, USA, skipper James Spithill
Emirates Team New Zealand, NZL, skipper Dean Barker
Luna Rossa, ITA, skipper Ed Baird
Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, ITA, skipper Gavin Brady
Synergy, RUS, skipper Karol Jablonski
TEAMORIGIN, GBR, skipper Ben Ainslie

For more information please visit http://www.azzurra.it/

Hotels Residences in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

The Spaniard Joan Llordella Prat favourite at the Rally di Sardegna Bike

The third edition of the Sardinian MTB tournament Rally di Sardegna Bike in the province of Ogliastra in Sardinia will start in Arzana on the 6th June and will conclude on the coastline of Cardedu-Gairo, according to this year's slogan: From the moutain to the sea".

The challenge on the dirt tracks of the Province of Ogliastra will have as the favourite the Spaniard Joan Llordella Prat, winner of last year's edition , winner of the Giant PowerBar Marathon BTT 2007, and third classified at the Titan Desert 2008. Other Italian and foreign bikers have already confirmed their participation and won't give away this wonderful challenging opportunity.

Hotels - Residences - All Holiday Homes/Apartments

Daily Telegraph: Sardinia: The lure of the Emerald Coast

Daily Telegraph has dedicated a long article to Sardinia and its Emerald Coast in the North of the Island in its September 2nd 2009 issue. In its article "Sardinia: The lure of the Emerald Coast" Telegraph correspondent Oliver Smith writes about leisure time in Costa Smeralda, the best accomodation between Olbia and Palau, how to arrive at Olbia airport, where to spend the morning, lunch and dinner time and gives hints about golfing, going out and shopping

Daily Telegraph: The lure of the Emerald Coast

Perini Navi Cup 2009 starts tomorrow in Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda

Porto Cervo, 2nd September 2009. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s September racing calendar is set to start in style as the Club hosts the Perini Navi Cup from 3rd to 5th September. The waters off Porto Cervo will provide the perfect backdrop to the record fleet of 19 Perini Navi sailing ships participating in this third edition of the event. A large number of these sailing giants, are already docked in Porto Cervo Marina, much to the delight of sailing enthusiasts and awestruck passers-by.

Perini Navi yachts are known for their marriage of elegance and cutting edge technology and the fleet, which if lined up end-to-end would stretch for almost a kilometer, will certainly be a sight to behold as it winds its way through the granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago. Racing will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th September using staggered starts based on each yacht’s ORC Club handicap which will allow the fleet to race in a close group as they proceed around the course. Racing can be followed in real time thanks to on board tracking displayed on the site http://www.perininavicup.it/.

Participating yachts include the most recent addition to the Perini Navi family, the 56 metre Ketch Riela, delivered in June of this year. The 2008 launched Baracuda whose 50 metre aluminium hull boasts an aggressive, aerodynamic line, will also participate. The largest participating yacht will be the 88 metre Maltese Falcon. Winner of the Perini Navi Cup in 2006 and classified second in her class in the St Barths Bucket 2009, Maltese Falcon will have a good chance of finishing in the upper realms of the classification. The tallest mast in the fleet, however, belongs to the 56 metre Salute: measuring 75 metres, it is the tallest aluminum mast in existence today.
“The Perini Navi Cup is always a wonderful event for me and this third edition, with such a large number of participants, is particularly special.” declared Giancarlo Ragnetti, Managing Director of Perini Navi. “It is a record which gives me great satisfaction and which shows how passion and dedication can achieve extraordinary results. Once again our owners have shown their affection for the family that we created at the start of the 80s and which today counts 46 yachts.”

YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo was also enthusiastic:

“The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is delighted to organize the Perini Navi Cup for the first time and to welcome this record fleet of ships from the Perini family. The event fits in perfectly with the Club’s development in the superyacht arena and our aim to attract the cream of owners, shipyards, designers and the entire nautical spectrum to the YCCS. I am certain we are going to enjoy some spectacular sailing in a festive atmosphere.”

Tomorrow, Thursday 3rd September, owners and crews will be busy completing registrations and attending the technical briefing while the first race is scheduled to start at 12 midday on Friday 4th September. Racing will continue on Saturday 5th September with the final prize giving scheduled for 6 p.m. A varied programme of exclusive social events will be organized ashore including a welcome cocktail, a cocktail competition aboard the yachts and a gala dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse.

Marina Yachting, Rolex, Axa, Acqua di Parma, Pommery, Icet and Audi are sponsors of the Perini Navi Cup 2009. Yacht Capital is media partner of the event.

Perini Navi: with a fleet of 46 sailing yachts cruising the world's oceans, Perini Navi is a leader in the design and manufacture of blue water sailing yachts. Famous for revolutionary automatic sail handling systems and for their unique aesthetics, the Perini’s are among the most celebrated vessels in the world.


Entry list:

Andromeda la Dea, 47 m
Helios, 45 m
Parsifal III, 53,80 m

Antara , 46 m
Heritage, 45,3 m
Perseus, 49,8 m

Atmosphere, 53 m
Heritage M, 33,5 m
Phyrne, 50 m

Baracuda, 50 m
Klosters, 47 m
Riela, 56 m

Elettra, 24,45 m
Independence, 53 m
Salute, 56 m

Felicità West, 64 m
Maltese Falcon, 88 m


Gitana, 36 m
Ohana, 43,45 m

(Photo courtesy of Perini Navi)

Hotel Li Rosi Marini, in Costa Paradiso (Northern Sardegna)

The romantic hotel Li Rosi Marini is a 3* overlooking the sea among the red rocks of Costa Paradiso, surrounded by enchanting bays and crystal clear water. The hotel has a sea water swimming pool and several solariums. The panoramic restaurant is in a large terrace.
All rooms have independent access, phone, TV, minibar, safe, air conditioned, and bathroom with shower and hairdryer. Moreover a few family rooms, triples and quadruples, are scattered between two floors.
The hotel Li Rosi Marini, in North Sardinia, is ideal for all those who want to discover enchanting hidden bays and the fascinating underwater world in the unspoilt nature.

Porto Cervo/Costa Smeralda: Racing in Sardinia cancelled at Audi Invitational

The prevailing mistral wind which has made the regatta course off Porto Cervo one of the world’s most famous failed to cooperate for the Audi Invitational, the third leg of the Farr 40 European Circuit 2009. Yesterday’s first scheduled day of racing was abandoned due to sustained winds of 30 knots and more, all was set to rest on today’s second and final day of racing but a storm front which is passing across Italy put paid to all hopes of completing the minimum two races required to validate the event.
The 24 Farr 40s participating in the Audi Invitational left Porto Cervo Marina on schedule for the programmed 11 am start but as the Race Committee was setting the course at 270° the wind shifted to 030° and began to build to approximately 25 knots. As the Race Committee prepared the new course the storm front arrived from Porto Cervo bringing torrential rain, thunder and lightning. PRO Peter Reggio then sent the fleet back to the docks and at 1pm racing was abandoned for the day.
The provisional standings after two legs of the European Circuit held in Porto Rotondo and Capri therefore remain valid and Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino leads the fleet on 33 points. Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone is in second place with 40 points and Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma sits in third place on 49 points.
Racing in Porto Cervo for the Farr 40 fleet will begin on Wednesday 24th June with the first start of the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship 2009 scheduled for 11am.
For further information on this regatta and the entire Yacht Club Costa Smeralda season please visit http://www.yccs.it/

Credits: Kurt Arrigo/Audi

Audi Invitational at Costa Smeralda: Mistral blows into Porto Cervo

The strong Mistral winds which blew across the coast of north-eastern Sardinia late on Friday night brought a welcome respite from the stifling heat of the past weeks but arrived with too much force for the 24 Farr 40 yachts moored in Porto Cervo for the start of the Audi Invitational. Racing in the event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and valid as the third leg of the European Circuit for the Farr 40 class, was scheduled to start at 11 am but with 25 knots of north-westerly wind and gusts of 28 the YCCS Race Committee postponed racing for two hours. The Mistral continued to gather force however and racing was postponed for a further two hours before finally being abandoned at 3 pm.
“There was simply too much wind”, commented Principal Race Officer Peter “Luigi” Reggio. “ It was blowing from 30 to 40 between Sardinia and Corsica, Bomb Alley was completely white and just before 3pm we were registering 32 to 35 knots on the mark boat.”


Waiting on the docks at Porto Cervo Marina. Credits: Kurt Arrigo/Audi

The participating teams will be anxious to get out on the water tomorrow, not least in order to complete the minimum two races in order for the series to be valid but also in preparation for next week’s Rolex Farr 40 World Championship (June 22nd to 27th), also organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo.
Current leader in the Farr 40 European Circuit 2009, after legs held in Capri and Porto Rotondo, is Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino with tactician Adrian Stead. Mascalzone Latino, which is flies the YCCS burgee, sits seven points ahead of Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics and Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma with tactician Tommaso Chieffi.
Racing is scheduled to start tomorrow 21st June at 11 am. Northerly winds of 16 to knots are predicted.
For further information on this regatta and the entire Yacht Club Costa Smeralda season please visit http://www.yccs.it/

Costa Smeralda: Gliss victorious at Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 in Sardinia

After four days of racing in near perfect conditions in the North of Sardinia, the 32 metre Gliss, owned by Switzerland’s Marco Vogele, has taken victory in the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Boat International Media. Gliss took first place seven points ahead of the Reichel-Pugh designed My Song owned by Pierluigi Loro Piana and was awarded the Silver Jubilee Cup during the prize giving in the Yacht Club’s Piazza Azzurra. Charles Dunstone’s 36 metre Hamilton II came in third, just one point behind My Song.
Vogele was delighted on arrival at Porto Cervo Marina:

“The location is the best, the organization is the best and we enjoyed this regatta so much. Rocks, stakes and sticks are used as natural marks and it’s perfect for everybody. This event is exceptional and excellently organized.”

Today’s fourth and final race of the regatta saw some shifty wind conditions for the first time in the event. The majority of the fleet started in 12 knots of wind from 310 which unexpected swung round to 180° and fell to 8 knots during the starting sequence.

Photo: Gliss, My Song. Credits Kurt Arrigo

The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta uses pursuit style racing with staggered starts based on each yacht’s handicap: the pure cruising yachts therefore start first with the faster yachts starting at the end of the sequence so that the entire fleet ends up sailing together around the course. Today’s sharp wind shift meant that the first yachts started on an upwind beat while the last yachts to start were flying their spinnaker.
The fleet sailed north from the start off Porto Cervo to round Monaci island before turning back south to round the Secca Tre Monti rock and heading through the strait between the mainland and the Isole delle Bisce Island and the finish line off the Gulf of Pevero.
Today’s Race was won by Open Season, owned by Thomas Bscher, ahead of Gliss and Magic Carpet 2, owned by Lindsay Owen Jones.
Bscher was pleased with the week’s racing: “This was a super week, Porto Cervo at its best. The weather was a dream, ideal sailing conditions which you will not find at this time in Europe. Regarding Open Season we did quite well on three of the days, except the second day when we made a wrong decision. The organization was first class, the race committee as well. We will definitely come again.”
Tommaso Chieffi, Veteran America’s Cup sailor (1986, 1992, 2003, 2007) and tactician aboard My Song which had an impressive 1, 3, 1 scoreline until she took twelfth place in today’s race, was philosophical “We were unlucky today. We had our start just when the wind swung from mistral to sirocco and we more or less stopped, along with the other five boats that started towards the end of the sequence. We had a good week and it has been a great event, it’s just a shame that the last race went this way for us.”


“The variety of boats all racing together, the location, the weather and the atmosphere is unique” commented Ed Dubois, designer of fourth-placed Moonbird The race organisation by YCCS is world class and the yacht club is possibly the most beautiful and organised in the world. In common with our clients, we at Dubois feel it is the superyacht regatta for the Mediterranean.”

For further information, full entry list and to view photos and video of the 2009 edition please visit http://www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com/ or http://www.yccs.it/ .

Moonbird takes lead in Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 in Costa Smeralda

In a very fitting turn of events Day Two of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta - the Fitzroy Yachts race day - was won by Moonbird, one of the two Fitzroy-built superyachts competing. Marco Vogele’s Gliss came in second on handicap today and Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s My Song took third place. Moonbird is also sitting at the top of the overall classification thanks to her second-place in yesterday’s Race One. My Song is in second place, just one point behind, and Gliss is in third place overall in this event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Boat International Media.



Race two, a 35 mile course which wound in through the island of the La Maddalena archipelago, was once again accompanied by blue skies, sizzling sunshine and a brisk Mistral wind which kept owners and crews busy and entertained. the owner of the 39 metre Ganesha commented:

“We had gusts of up to 31 knots which was just a little bit too much wind for us so we didn’t fly the spinnaker. As a result we probably lost 2 or 3 places but it was still a great day’s sailing. I think Porto Cervo is the best place to sail in Europe. "

Wally Yachts had another great day with three of their yachts taking the top places in elapsed time for the second day running. Claus Peter Offen’s Y3K completed the course in just over two hours and 40 minutes followed by Magic Carpet2 and Indio.
Rodney Martin, Managing Director of Fitzroy Yachts was pleased with the today’s race “I’m really pleased to see a Fitzroy-built, Dubois-designed sloop cross the finish line first and take first place on handicap on the Fitzroy Race Day. The event is really well organized and is a credit to the YCCS and Boat International Media.”
Racing started on schedule this morning at 12.05 and the fleet was set a coastal course which took full advantage of the 18 to 20 knots of wind from 295°. The YCCS Race Committee sent the superyacht fleet from the start off Porto Cervo north to round the Isola dei Monaci to port before rounding the southern tip of Caprera island and sailing northward along the coast. The yachts then turned North, passing between the La Maddalena island and the island of Spargi. After rounding the Barettinelli di Fuori islets at the northern end of the archipelago the fleet then headed back south leaving the La Maddalena and Caprera islands to starboard and on to the finish in the Pevero Gulf, just South of Porto Cervo.
Racing is scheduled to continue June 12th at 12 midday. The forecast predicts strong westerly winds in the morning which should calm to approximately 15 knots in the afternoon.
For further information, full entry list and to view photos and images of the 2009 edition please visit http://www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com/ or http://www.yccs.it/.

(Images: Moonbird, My Song. Credits Kurt Arrigo)