Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) as well as Dubois Naval Architects, the fourth edition of the Dubois Cup concluded yesterday, on June 3, with the victory of sailing yacht Genevieve. Luxury superyacht Genevieve is a 37-metre sloop, owned by Tom Saylak and constructed by Alloy Yachts.
Fleet racing at 2013 Dubois Cup ©Rick Tomlinson/Dubois Yachts
The 50-metre superyacht Zefira, built by Fitzroy Yachts and flying the YCCS burgee took second place ahead of the 30-metre charter yacht Nostromo with Olympic champion Jesper Bank calling tactics. The event, held from 1st to 3rd June, saw 14 Dubois-designed sailing yachts gather in Porto Cervo, seven of which competed over two days of regattas on the waters of the Costa Smeralda.
Barry Houghton’s 45 metre charter yacht Salperton – also flying the YCCS burgee and with Olympic champion Shirley Robertson at the helm – won day two at the conclusion of a race sailed under a sizzling sun and against the backdrop of the granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago with around 8 to 12 knots of easterly breeze. Second place went to Zefira, with America’s Cup sailor Flavio Favini aboard, while third place for Genevieve, coupled with a bullet on day one, was enough to take her to overall victory.
Superyacht Genevieve ©Carlo Borlenghi/Dubois Yachts
“I’ve been racing in Porto Cervo for 20 years,” commented Saylack. “The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda does a really great job, the coastline is gorgeous and you never know what you’re going to get. That’s a part of racing and that’s part of what makes this one of my favourite places in the world to sail.”
At the conclusion of racing owners, crews and guests gathered at the YCCS Clubhouse for the prizegiving ceremony in which each member of the fleet received a special award in addition to the top three yachts. The evening continued with a party for everyone who participated in this biennial event characterized by an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendly competition.
The next edition of the Dubois Cup is scheduled for June 2015, however the YCCS sporting calendar continues immediately with the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta from 4th to 8th June. Twenty-one sailing giants ranging from 24 to 50 metres now line the quays of Porto Cervo Marina with racing scheduled to start at 12 midday on Wednesday 5th June.
