A spectacular fleet of Perini Navi yachts took to the waters off Porto Cervo yesterday, for the first day of competing at the Perini Navi Cup 2013. The fifth edition of the biennial event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, is destined for yachts designed and constructed by the prominent Italian shipyard and will last through Saturday 31st August. The first race of the event was dominated on the water by the performance cruising charter yacht P2, which crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead, while it was the 50-metre luxury yacht Silencio that claimed victory in corrected time.
Perini Navi Cup 2013 Fleet Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Stefano Gattini
Light winds of approximately 8 knots accompanied the fleet on a coastal course of approximately 13 miles that saw them cross the starting line off Porto Cervo bound for the Secca Tre Monti rock. After rounding the rock the sailing superyachts headed upwind to round the Secca delle Bisce before racing to the finish off the Gulf of Pevero.
Superyacht P2, a 38-metre sloop and the first example of the shipyard’s Racing Line, shone today, storming around the course well ahead of the other competitors.
Aerial view of Perini Navi Cup 2013 Fleet Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Stefano Gattini
Captain Jonathan Kline was pleased with the yacht’s performance on his return to port: “This is our first Perini Navi Cup with P2 and we found the conditions we expected, light winds but excellent for P2. We knew we would be able to pass most of the fleet in the first leg but then we would have to extend significantly to maintain the lead. I don’t know yet how we did, we finished quite far ahead of most of the boats but I don’t know if it was enough to take first place.”
America’s Cup sailor Dawn Riley was pleased with the teamwork aboard Silencio yacht, “We won today, well done to all! I am the tactician on board and the entire crew did really well today, they were perfect. This is my third Perini Navi Cup and you have to know how to sail these boats, everything is so big. The owner said he wanted to get just one podium finish so I guess we did that! I just hope we can keep it up now.”
Third place went to the 52-metre superyacht Tamsen, racing in the event with a crew of almost 60 friends and family members.
Charter yacht P2 at Perini Navi Cup 2013 - Image credit to Perini Navi
This evening owners and guests will enjoy the cocktail competition on the docks organized by Vhernier followed by the Vhernier After Race Cocktail Party at Aqua Lounge on the Piazza Azzurra. Pommery champagne will be flowing during both events as the brand, which will pop the corks on more than 1,000 bottles of cuvee during the regatta, celebrates its third year as partner of the Perini Navi Cup.
Moncler, main sponsor of the regatta, has specially created the official clothing for the entire event from the Moncler Grenoble collection using the red, white and blue of the French tricolour, symbol of the brand.
Luxury sailing yacht Silencio at Perini Navi Cup 2013 - Image credit to Perini Navi
Racing is scheduled to continue today, Friday 30th August at 11 a.m. Light to moderate easterly winds are forecast.
