Audi MedCup Circuit in Cagliari, Sardinia: Can Matador rain on the Quantum parade?

The Region of Sardinia Trophy leaders have themselves a good shot at second overall on the Audi MedCup Circuit.

Rain? It’s an unusual phenomenon on the Audi MedCup Circuit, but that is the prevailing weather feature this morning, puddles already forming around the Region of Sardinia Trophy regatta dockside in Cagaliari. It maybe dampen the mood slightly for visitors, many of whom have beaten the air traffic control strikes to be here at the season's crunch time, but the precipitation is purely incidental for the 52 Series and 42 Series teams who know what is at stake on this penultimate day of the 2010 Audi MedCup season. Matador lead the regatta by 11 points, winning three of the last four races. But their attack has brought them to within six points of Quantum Racing on the overall Audi MedCup Circuit standings, with only up to four races left. And Matador now have a gap of 20 points back to TeamOrigin so they have something of a dilemma, whether to go all out for the regatta win and/or to ensure they consistently beat Quantum to land second for the season. “In fact we have three goals: be on the podium, be second overall and to win the regatta. To win the regatta would be purely a bonus. First we watch behind, then after maybe two or three races we see how we are placed.” Says Vasco Vascotto (ITA), Matador’s strategist. The forecast for wind strength is promising but far less encouraging for stability of direction. And rain is almost certain. Around start time the breeze could be as much as 10-16 kts but backing from around 110-130 degrees to between 070 and 110 degrees during the early afternoon, and continuing to build and, clocking back to 020 degrees. So it looks like a really testing day with the breeze always on the move, shifty, gusty and puffy.All the action will be available live on http://www.medcup.org/ as from 1250hrs CET.

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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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Audi Sardinia Cup set to start in Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Porto Cervo, 28th June 2010. Eight teams representing seven nations - Germany, Italy (two teams), Malta, Monaco, Switzerland , United Kingdom and United States - are ready to compete in the Audi Sardinia Cup taking place in Porto Cervo from 28th June to 3rd July. Each team participating in the event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is composed of a Melges 32 and a Farr 40 craft and while registrations and measurements are underway today, racing on windward leeward courses will commence tomorrow, 29th June. The fleet is also scheduled to dispute a coastal race through the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago during the five days of racing.

The first edition of the event was held in 1978 and since then teams from around the world have travelled to Sardinia to compete for the coveted Sardinia Challenge Trophy. This year Audi has become title sponsor for the first time, thereby confirming their commitment to the most competitive sailing classes as well as their strong ties to the YCCS. One of the strongest teams on paper is undoubtedly USA, composed of three-time Farr 40 World Champion (2009, 2004,1998) Jim Richardson with his Barking Mad and current Melges 32 World Champion Bliksem, owned by Pieter Taselaar. Also one to watch, however, will be the Italian team composed of the Farr 40 Nerone, reigning Farr 40 class World Champion and fresh from victory in the Farr 40 European Circuit leg which concluded yesterday in Porto Cervo, and the Melges 32 Fantasticaaa owned by Lanfranco Cirillo.

Competition promises to be fierce with owner-drivers aboard and a host of world-class yachtsmen such as New Zealander Hamish Pepper aboard Barking Mad, 470 Olympic Gold Medalist (2008) Nathan Wilmot on Bliksem as well as noted Italian match racers Francesco Bruni, Vasco Vascotto and Flavio Favini aboard Joe Fly, Nerone and B Lin Sailing respectively.
The YCCS and Audi have organized a full social programme to complement the action on the water starting with a welcome cocktail at the Clubhouse this evening and including a gala dinner on the Club’s pool terrace on Friday 2nd July. The regatta will conclude on Saturday 28th July with the prize giving in Piazza Azzurra.
The first starting signal is scheduled for tomorrow at 12 midday. Breezes of approximately 10 knots form north north-west are predicted.

Entry List – Audi Sardinia Cup 2010
Nation: Melges 32 – Owner, Farr 40 – Owner
Germany: Teasing Machine - Jean Francoise Cruette, Struntje Light – Wolfgang Shaefer
Italy: Fantasticaaa – Lanfranco Cirillo, Nerone – Massimo Mezzaroma
Italy 2: B-Lin Sailing – Luca Lalli, Joe Fly – Giovanni Maspero
Malta: Rush Diletta – Mauro Moccheggiani, Enfant Terrible – Alberto Rossi
Monaco: Fratelli Giacomelli Audi Team – Action Team A.D.P./Guido Miani, Plenty – Alex Roepers
Switzerland: I Nova – Carlo Pesenti, Vanitas Cube – Martin Strobel
United Kingdom: Ngoni – Mark Lamy, Mangusta Risk – Andrea Canavesio
USA: Bliksem – Pieter Taselaar, Barking Mad – Jim Richardsonù
For further information, entry lists and NORs please visit http://www.yccs.it/.

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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)

In typical Farr 40 style the final day of racing in the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship 2009 saw the 25 boat fleet line up for the tenth and final race with just one point separating the top two teams. All was set for a duel to the death between two time world champion Jim Richardson (1998, 2004) on Barking Mad and Massimo Mezzaroma with his Nerone (ITA), winner of the 2003 world championship organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in Porto Cervo. In the end Nerone, with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics, did not manage to shine in Race Ten and Barking Mad, with tactician Terry Hutchinson, comfortably defended the lead she had held since day one of the series to clinch the title for the third time. Nerone took second place with Giovanni Maspero’s Joe Fly in third. Former world champion Vincenzo Onorato came fourth.
The Mistral wind, sunshine and blue skies which characterized the entire event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 22nd to 27th June, were present once again for the start of today’s first race. Race Nine started on schedule at 11.05 in approximately 18 knots of wind from 290°. Nerone started well and was followed around the first mark, where winds reached 22 knots, by Joe Fly and Flash Gordon (USA), owned by Helmut Jahn. A head to head battle ensued between Nerone and Joe Fly but it was Vascotto’s team which crossed the finish line first ahead of Joe Fly, with Francesco Bruni on tactics, and Flash Gordon.
Heading into Race Ten, the final of the series, Barking Mad’s sixth place in Race Nine left her just one point ahead of Nerone. Tension was high as the fleet crossed the line at 12.40 pm in approximately 20 knots of wind which held at 290°. The American’s of Barking Mad and Flash Gordon followed Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma, with tactician Tommaso Chieffi, around the first windward mark. Barking Mad had taken the lead by the leeward gate with Mascalzone Latino hot on her heels and Flash Gordon in third. Mascalzone gained the lead during the second windward leg and held it to the finish, crossing the line ahead of Barking Mad and Flash Gordon respectively.
Richardson was delighted with a World Championship which saw him average less than four points per race: "We're very, very happy. Coming to Italy and winning this World Championship in Porto Cervo is an amazing feeling for us. There are so many good teams out there, particularly the Italians and to be able to win in their home waters is a great thrill for us.”
"We could almost taste victory, so it’s disappointing not to win”, commented Vasco Vascotto, tactician on Nerone, “we sailed well but the American’s were more constant. It has been a great season and we have gained experience, you never stop learning.”
Mascalzone’s Vincenzo Onorato, racing under the YCCS burgee, was philosophical about handing over the title he had won for three consecutive years. “ It’s a great story for the class, we went to Jim’s hometown to win the Farr 40 World Championship in 2006 in Newport, Rhode Island, and Jim has come here to our home, in Porto Cervo to win the Worlds. The last race was the first in our campaign for the Farr 40 Worlds 2010 at Casa di Campo.”
PRO Peter “Luigi” Reggio summed up the week’s racing nicely: “This place is just insanely cool!”
Jim Richardson, Rolex Farr 40 World Champion 2009, was awarded the Farr 40 World Cup trophy and a specially engraved Rolex timepiece during the prize giving held at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
For further information on this regatta please visit http://www.farr40worldchampionship.com/ , http://www.yccs.it/ , http://www.regattanews.com/

Barking Mad, Nerone, fleet. Credits Kurt Arrigo/Rolex

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/ .

Welcome to Sardinia! New online catalogue for the Italian holiday Island

A romantic holiday in Sardinia for two? Family Fun? Wellness, golf or sailing charter? The new 2009 catalogue of Holidays in Sardinia.com leaves no wish unfulfilled. With its collection of first-class accommodations, and plenty of practical tips to help your planning your trip, the new online travel catalogue offers a varied programme for the Island of Sardinia. Besides the best holiday homes, we added fifty new accommodations such as hotels, bed & breakfasts and farms to our 2009 catalogue, and have completely redesigned it to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. Look forward to your vacation and browse the new 2009 online catalogue http://www.holidays-in-sardinia.com/ now!