If you wanted a perfect day to get racing underway at the 2014 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta – organised by Boat International Media and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda – then today is it. Porto Cervo is bathed in glorious sunshine, and a breeze of 14-16 knots awaits the fleet of 21 sailing superyachts taking part in this year’s event.
With the yachts divided into three divisions – ranging from the more performance orientated entrants such as the new WallyCento Magic Carpet 3, the 33m Vitters Inoui and Hoek Design’s Firefly to Loro Piana Caribbean regatta winner Moonbird, Spirit Yachts’ Gaia and the 24m Drumfire – competition will be tough but friendly. The race committee, led by Principle Race Officer Peter Craig, has opted to send the fleet on a long course outside Caprera and La Maddalena and back through bomb alley, making the most of today’s perfect winds.
With several Southern Wind Shipyard yachts taking part, including the 30.2m Cape Arrow and Farewell, 26.6m Feelin’ Good, 28.6m Windfall and 24.7m Grande Orazio, this year’s regatta also forms the battleground for the 2014 Southern Wind Trophy.
Last night the owners, their guests and crews enjoyed a welcome cocktail on the terrace of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, giving them a final chance to scope out their rivals’ yachts on the quays below. This morning, with final preparations complete, there is a palpable air of excitement as the yachts prepare for the first day of racing. In the current conditions, it is already shaping up to be a magic day on the water, and a magic start to the latest edition of the season’s first major superyacht regatta.