The final day of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2013 dawned overcast and with little wind, and after a short delay as well as an attempt at starting a competition which was then abandoned due to lack of wind further up the course, the fleet dropped sail and headed for home. It was a disappointing end to what has been an amazing event, but the owners, guests as well as crews of the 21 competing superyachts were all thrilled with the sailing that they have been able to get in over the last four days in the event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International Media.
Fleet - Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2013 © Superyacht Media
The abandoned race meant that the overall placings are as Friday night’s standings, with three races counting for the trophies. In Class A, My Song yacht achieved a resounding victory with three wins out of three; second and third went to 25m sailing yacht Aegir and the Baltic 112 superyacht Nilaya respectively.
In Class B, charter yacht Salperton IV took the win, ahead of fellow Fitzroy yacht Zefira – at 49.7m, the largest yacht in this year’s fleet – and the Southern Wind yacht Cape Arrow. Bequia held on to win Class C, with the 37m sailing yacht Genevieve and 30.8m Oyster superyacht Sarafin second and third respectively. Genevieve and Sarafin held the same scoreline at nine points each, but Genevieve took second on countback after winning Friday’s race.
‘It’s our first time here at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta,’ said the owner of Genevieve. ‘We’re having a great time, whether crew, race team or my guests.’
Luxury charter yacht Salperton, overall winner - Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2013 © Jeff Brown/Superyacht Media
‘We’ve had a wonderful regatta,’ beamed Barry Houghton, Salperton IV yacht’s owner, who collected a hefty haul of silverware, including the Silver Jubilee Cup by Boat International Media, presented by Loro Piana for overall victory. ‘There were fantastic conditions for three days of beautiful sailing.’
His sentiment was echoed by Class C winner, Jes Staley – owner of the wooden yacht Bequia. ‘It was a great regatta, with super boats to race against,’ he said after collecting his trophy. ‘It’s a beautiful place, and it’s also a great win for all the guys in Maine who helped build the yacht.’
Pier-Luigi Loro Piana was also ecstatic after My Song’s emphatic win in Class A. ‘Today finally we won,’ he smiled. ‘I think here is one of the best places in the world. The wind has been good, and the fact that the regatta has attracted more boats this year shows that Sardinia is the preferred place for superyachts!’
Racing continues at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in August with the Perini Navi Cup and the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
