Porto Cervo, 13th September 2011. The first day of sailing in the Veteran Big Boat Rally 2011, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 12th to 15th September, brought sunshine, scorching temperatures and light easterly winds. Today’s coastal race of approximately 20 miles was won by the 38 metre schooner Mariette of 1915 who took victory ahead of the 55-metre schooner Elena and Xavier Tancogne’s sailing yacht Moonbeam IV, built in 1914.
Sailing yacht Elena - Photo Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS
The grand dames of the sea had a short wait before the breeze filled in to 8 knots to allow them to set off towards the island of Mortoriotto, south of Porto Cervo, before doubling back and heading north to round Monaci island. The fleet then paraded past the entrance to Porto Cervo Marina before finishing off the Gulf of Pevero.
S/Y Mariette of 1915 flies the burgee of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and is a regular on the classic regatta circuit. Charlie Wroe, Captain of Mariette was satisfied with today’s result: “We had light air conditions today but that worked out well for us. It’s interesting to see how fast the boats sail in these conditions and I think if we get a bit more breeze in the next few days positions could change; Elena is very quick. It’s been four years since we sailed in Porto Cervo and we are very happy to be back, the sailing is always great and we are really looking forward to tomorrow’s racing.”
Croce del Sud Yacht - Credit Alessandro Spiga YCCS
Yacht Elena was in fact the fastest yacht around the course today in elapsed time but slipped back to second place on compensated time. The largest of the competing classic boats, she is an exact reconstruction of a 1910 N. G. Herreshoff design.
Seven yachts have gathered in Porto Cervo for the Veteran Big Boat Rally and although several, such as Bruno Mentasti’s triple masted Croce del Sud and the gaff yawl Veronique, are not actively competing, they can be admired on the emerald waters of the YCCS regatta course together with the rest of the fleet.
Racing is schedule to continue tomorrow, 14th September at 11.30 a.m. Approximately 8 knots of easterly wind are forecast.
