As Boat International Media and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) prepare to welcome superyacht owners, guests and race crews for the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous, YCCS' Caribbean Marina, YCCS Virgin Gorda, is filling up fast with a prestigious fleet of high-performance sailing superyachts and motor yachts.
The annual event runs 19 to 22 March, 2014, in the picturesque backdrop of Virgin Gorda, BVI. The island's location offers sublime sailing conditions thanks to warm Caribbean trade winds and beautiful locales for the titillating onshore social programme. Title Sponsor, Loro Piana, will host yacht owners for an exquisite dinner at the YCCS Virgin Gorda Clubhouse on day one, while day two will be topped off by an intimate cocktail reception for superyacht owners hosted by Pamela and David V. Johnson along with Embraer Executive Jets. This exclusive gathering will precede the Emerald Elegance at Oil Nut Bay.
A diverse mix of yachts will be competing in the three days of racing, divided by class, to challenge for the prestigious champions title. Entries include a selection of new build superyachts including the ShowBoats Design Award-winning Seahawk by Perini Navi, carbon composite Inouï built by Vitters, Humphrey’s built modern classic Tempus Fugit and powerfully rigged Ganesha launched by Vitters in late 2013. Returning sailing yachts such as Aiyana, Freya and Sarafin will be aiming to capitalize upon their experience, while a flotilla of motor yachts participating in the Rendezvous will cruise in company to follow all the action on the race course.
The Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous begins with a registration day, during which participating sailing yachts may opt to take part in a practice race. Owners and guests are also invited to a relaxing welcome lunch at Oil Nut Bay's exquisite beach club restaurant. The luxury resort is also extending its hospitality throughout the run of the regatta, inviting event guests to enjoy the splendid facilities. The regatta then officially opens tomorrow night, 19 March, with a glamorous, beachy chic Welcome Cocktail party on the lawn of YCCS Virgin Gorda and the racing kicks off with the fleet taking to the start line on 20 March.
Before departure on the last day of the event, regatta competitors and guests will attend a relaxed price giving on the YCCS Virgin Gorda lawn to commend racing victors, including the team that receives the Spirit of the Regatta prize. Captains and crew will be invited to celebrate their regatta successes at a dedicated crew party sponsored by BVI Tourism and Marina Casa de Campo.
To keep up to date with all the upcoming action on the water from the three days of racing, follow Boat International Media’s event team, @BIM_Events, on Twitter #LoroPianaSYR14 and catch up with
with live on-the-scenes racing previews and reports from Boat International magazine's editor Tim Thomas on this website daily.