The gathered fleet of some of the finest sailing superyachts on the water woke this morning to the continued howl of wind in the rigging. The fleet, competing in the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in Porto Cervo, remains tied to the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda docks as the postponement flag crackles in the strong westerly breeze.
At a 1030 fleet update, Principle Race Officer Peter Craig reported the latest conditions outside the harbour to the expectant owners and crews. ‘We have a spotter boat one and a half miles outside Porto Cervo,’ he said over the VHF radio, ‘and it is reporting winds well in excess of 25 knots, and touching on 30 to 32 knots. Our intention is to roll the postponement for another hour, but we are still hopeful of a race this afternoon.’
There will be no warning signal before 1400 local at the earliest, but the race committee’s intention is to try to get a race in, even on a short course, later this afternoon. If the wind abates as forecast, it could be a cracking day for the opening race of this year’s event – the skies are azure blue and the atmosphere is good among the owners and crews taking part.
Stay tuned for further updates.