Under perfect skies and with promising winds, the fourth Dubois Cup officially kicked off at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, positioned in the beautiful yacht charter destination – Porto Cervo in Sardinia. A total number of 14 Dubois-designed sailing yachts as well as two Dubois motor yachts have come to participate in this invitational event, which hosts some of the finest sailing superyachts in the world, competing for the Cup.
Dubois Cup 2013 to kick off today
“Through this event, we are supporting the whole industry, and indeed, the whole industry is supporting us,” Ed Dubois said from the deck of the yacht club, overlooking the gathering fleet. “We rely very much on the yacht builders and the suppliers to help us throw this event and to showcase what we do, and to make this really a wonderful family affair.”
The list of sponsors for the event is extensive and impressive: Feadship, Fitzroy Yachts, Pendennis, Royal Huisman, Aylesford International, North Sails, Reckmann, Rondal, Southern Spars, Alloy Yachts, Doyle, Gateley, Hall Spars, Pantaenius, Skynet Aviation Group, Sturge Taylor and Vitters Shipyard.
A spectacular fleet of Dubois-designed yachts attracts a crowd anywhere, and seems ideally suited to the glamour and exclusivity of Porto Cervo. Some yachts have come for the first time, including the newly-delivered, Oyster-built 100-foot sailing yacht Sarafin, and her 125 foot sister, superyacht Twilight. The Australian-built luxury yacht Alcanara, delivered in 2009, and charter yacht Salperton, a regular on the regatta circuit, make their first appearances at the Dubois Cup. Also racing is Timoneer yacht, the current holder of the Dubois Cup, who won here in Sardinia two years ago.
Superyacht Twilight and luxury yacht Kokomo anchored at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia
“I’ve been in this business for over thirty years now, and this event relies on the patronage of a family of owners we’re used to being with regularly,” Ed says. “We have one owner here for whom we’re now working on the eighth project, and we have two three-project clients and a handful of two-boat clients. We see this event continuing every two years for as long as the industry is happy to support it and for as long as our owners continue to enjoy it!”
As the stern lines came ashore and the yachts aligned themselves for a few days’ competition, the crews came to inspect their friendly rivals, owners walk the pier viewing the design direction for other projects, and potential new clients inspect the handiwork of the yards. It’s a weekend to relax, to race for fun, and to enjoy the camaraderie that such an intimate regatta affords.
Racing commences at 12:00 today.
