Anticipation is building on the quays of Porto Cervo Marina as participants await the start of one of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda‘s most prominent yachting events, the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. Now in its 7th edition and organized by YCCS in partnership with Boat International Media and with the support of title sponsor Loro Piana, the event will be attended by 21 sailing superyachts. Racing will take place on courses winding through the islands of the fabulous Sardinia yacht charter destination – La Maddalena archipelago and will run from Wednesday 4th through Saturday 7th June.
YCCS, Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2014 - ©Carlo Borlenghi/Superyacht Media
The fleet represents a fascinating mix of superyachts – ranging in style from racing oriented craft to luxurious cruisers and from ultra-modern hulls to classic sloops – and is divided into three categories based on each yacht’s technical characteristics. In Division A the Luca Brenta-designed superyacht Ghost will do battle with, amongst others, several Wally yachts including Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ new superyacht Magic Carpet 3, the latest Wally Cento launched in late 2013. In Division B superyacht Ganesha, at 46 metres the largest yacht of the fleet and a division winner in 2012, will be up against charter yacht Moonbird, a 37 metre fast cruising sloop designed by Dubois and division winner at the Caribbean edition of the Loro Piana event in March of this year. In Division C the 26 metre sailing yacht My Song owned by Pier Luigi Loro Piana, division winner in Porto Cervo in 2013, will compete against the Swan 80 yacht Selene, and the 27-metre sailing yacht Karibu, designed by Rob Humphreys, as well as several yachts from the Southern Wind Shipyard. The South-African builder will in fact award the SWS Trophy, at the conclusion of the event, to one of the six competing Southern Wind yachts. The fleet includes superyacht Cape Arrow and charter yacht Farewell, both boasting YCCS members at the helm.
LPSR 2013 ©Jeff Brown/Superyacht Media
As always the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta attracts internationally renowned yachtsmen such as Danish match race champion Jesper Bank on Karibu and Amerca’s Cup winner Peter Holmberg on Cape Arrow. Jochen Schumann, two-time America’s Cup winner with Alinghi, will call tactics aboard Magic Caret 3 while Moonbird will once again be in the hands of British Olympic medallist Shirley Robertson at the helm and New-Zealand’s Cameron Appleton on tactics. Italy’s Francesco de Angelis, a long-time member of the America’s Cup Luna Rossa team, will be calling tactics on My Song.
2013 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta©Jeff Brown/Superyacht Media
In addition to a thrilling sporting programme, owners, crews and guests will also enjoy an exhilarating social schedule, which kicked off with yesterday’s Welcome Cocktail at the YCCS Clubhouse. The Loro Piana dinner for owners will follow as will a cocktail offered by Gold Sponsor Embraer, a Pizza Party in Piazza Azzurra and the Sunset Party at Phi Beach in Baia Sardinia. Proceedings will conclude with the final prize giving ceremony in Piazza Azzurra on Saturday 7th June.
