After the thrills and spills of the first day of racing in Porto Cervo at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, the owners and their guests and crews are looking forward to another sparkling day on the waters off Port Cervo, Sardinia as Embraer Race Day gets underway.
The weather conditions look similar to Day One of the 2014 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, with perhaps a couple of knots less wind overall, and with such close action on the water yesterday everyone will be keen to maximise their opportunities and minimise their mistakes. With several of the 19 sailing superyachts finishing so close on corrected time – just 37 seconds separated Moonbird, Unfurled and Cape Arrow at the top of Class B – there is all to play for.
‘Yesterday was a fantastic day on the water – it was almost one of those classic Porto Cervo racing days,’ says Campbell Field, navigator on the 34m Unfurled. ‘It was a little bit shifty around the top of La Maddalena which made it very exciting, and we had to reel ourselves in a bit and remind ourselves that we are racing around in rather large yachts! We had Moonbird in our sights for most of the race – it was a great tussle. Hopefully today will be exactly the same as yesterday.’
There is also keen rivalry between the two WallyCentos in Class A, with Magic Carpet3 and Open Season finishing just 31 seconds apart on corrected time yesterday. ‘It’s something new for us sailing on a staggered start which stretched the whole fleet, and as one of the faster yachts when we want to win we have to pass all the boats and that’s very exciting – it takes a lot of decision making and some stress,’ enthuses Jochen Schumann, helming Magic Carpet3. ‘We are always on the back foot against Open Season as we start two minutes behind them. So first we have to get to them, then pass them which is not easy, and only when they make a mistake do we have a chance to pass them – it will be a battle right up to the finish.’
‘It was a perfect Porto Cervo day yesterday,’ adds Mike Atkinson, Open Season’s boat captain. ‘Ideal – perfect sailing conditions. It’s an ongoing battle we have with Magic Carpet3, and at the moment they are quicker upwind than us for sure. We have only had the boat a couple of months and we are still learning her, but with a good day and a good bit of breeze coming downwind we could do better…’
Today’s racing, sponsored by Embraer Executive Jets, will also provide the owners and their guests the perfect opportunity to work off last night’s wonderful food, catered by Michelin 3 Star chef Massimo Bottura at the Loro Piana Owners’ Dinner on the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda terrace where prima ballerina Eleonora Abbagnato also put on a stunning display of dance.