Trophies decided on final day of Loro Piana Caribbean regatta

24 March 2013 • Written by Tim Thomas

The third and final day of the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous, orgainsed by Boat International Media and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, proved to be a magnificent day on the water. The race committee chose to send the fleet of 20 sailing superyachts clockwise around Virgin Gorda, with the Division B boats rounding inside Ginger Island and the faster Division A boats heading outside Ginger.

With most of the yachts heading left up the first beat, the first real test was at the northeast corner of Virgin Gorda. Here the kites were hoisted and the yachts were set for an epic gybing battle all along the south side of the island. By the time the Division B yachts reached Round Rock, 62m Athos was out in front with the 23.5m Wild Horses just three minutes behind. The 25.2m Sejaa was also having a good day, rounding third.

Meanwhile, the Division A yachts were fighting tooth and nail. By the time they got to the western end of Ginger Island, it was Indio that had made the best progress on the run, dropping her kite and hardening up for the reach to the Dogs a minute ahead of Salperton and Cape Arrow, who were separated by just 10 seconds. Hanuman, P2 and Rebecca were not far behind. From the Dogs it was a final beat to the finish, and it was Indio who took the final line honours.

‘We did well today,’ said Ian Walker, double Olympic silver medallist and tactician aboard Salperton. ‘We were one of the most offshore yachts on the run and I think we had a bit more wind. It was a good course today.'

For Peter Corr, owner of the 25m Aiyana, the week was all about enjoying the sailing. ‘It’s been fantastic,’ he said. ‘We’re really pleased. It’s fantastic to come up here and see the biggest and best yachts in the world. I think Loro Piana has taken the event to a whole new level.'

‘This is our first Caribbean trip and our first superyacht regatta – period,’ smiled Lachie Paramor, captain of the 2012 Oyster 100 Sarafin, who scored a third overall in Division B. On collecting the prize for third, Sarafin’s surprised and pleased Australian owner said: ‘I guess we've had a sniff and now we'll have to jump in!’

Ed and Marty Kane, owners of 63 year old Bolero – the oldest and smallest boat in the fleet at 22.4m – won Division B by scoring bullets in the final two days of racing after starting with a fourth. Bolero was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built at Harry Nevins boatyard in New York. ‘We had a great event,’ they said. ‘The sailing was terrific and the wind was good, even on the longer course!’

Spirit of the Regatta:Athos

Perini Award (given to the most consistent starter):Indio

YCCS Trophy (for the winning YCCS member): Barry Houghton, Salperton IV

Cruising Class within Division A

First: Salperton IV

Second: Cape Arrow

Third: P2

Division B

First: Bolero

Second: Athos

Third: Sarafin

Division A