As a prestigious sailing superyacht fleet begins to take up berthing at the world-class Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Boat International Media and the YCCS are welcoming owners, guests and elite race crew to the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta.
The event takes place off the spectacular island of Sardinia from 3 – 7 June, 2014. The stunning coastline, distinguished by a scattering of 55 tiny isolotti along with the seven islands of La Maddalena archipelago and the stunningly clear turquoise waters, presents challenging and exciting sailing conditions. As a result, the regatta attracts some of the world’s most extraordinary regatta racers year-on-year and this season is no exception. Currently 21 striking yachts are signed on to compete, and boatinternational.com will bring all of the thrills and spills from the race course to you each day via stories and videos.
A diverse mix of performance and cruising superyachts divided by class will compete to take the prestigious champions title. The fleet boasts several yachts returning from the 2013 edition including Bloemsma Van Breemen’s 24m Drumfire, 35m F-Class Firefly built by Claasen Shipyards, 27m Humphrey’s designed and Oyster built Karibu, and Royal Huisman’s 37.14m carbon-rigged Unfurled, who all look set to put forward a competitive campaign at the 2014 regatta.
Further yachts displaying current form include powerfully rigged 46m Ganesha, launched by Vitters in late 2013 and 33m Vitters vibrant-green new build Inouï who both performed well at the recent Caribbean edition of the Loro Piana Regatta in Virgin Gorda earlier this year.
Meanwhile, 30.26m Cape Arrow, 30.2m Farewell, 26.6m Feelin’ Good, 24.72m Grande Orazio, 23.99m Whisper, and 28.64m Windfall, built by the event’s Silver Sponsor Southern Wind Shipyard, are presented with an additional contest; they will not only compete for the Loro Piana title and Boat International Media Trophy, but will also race in class for the SWS Trophy as well. With a full race programme organised by the highly experienced international race committee of the YCCS, this competitive fleet are once again set to produce the pinnacle of superyacht racing in the Mediterranean.
The highest level of superyacht race management and idyllic sailing conditions are complemented by an elegant social programme for which the event is renowned. Lavish Porto Cervo provides the perfect backdrop as superyacht owners are invited to enjoy the Loro Piana Owners Dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse as well as a Champagne Reception hosted by Gold Sponsor, Embraer Executive Jets.
In advance of racing, all guests will attend a chic Welcome Cocktail at the YCCS, meanwhile Silver Sponsor Pantaenus will provide post race drinks in the piazza after each day’s racing and Contributing Sponsors, Sardinia Yacht Services and DHL Italy will honour Italy’s national dish with a laid-back Pizza Party on day two. Fashionable Phi Beach is the location for a relaxed beach party set on the island’s pure white sands after race day three and the event culminates in a final prize-giving ceremony in Porto Cervo’s prestigious Piazza Azzurra, which brings together owners and their skilled race crew.
To keep up to date with all the action on the water, follow Boat International Media’s event team, @BIM_Events, on Twitter #LPRegatta14 and catch up with Boat International's Tim Thomas’ highlights and race winners newsletters on the event website each day.