Dubois Cup - Saylak's 37-metre sloop Genevieve victorious

by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda on 4 Jun 2013 The fourth edition of the Dubois Cup, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and Dubois Naval Architects, concluded yesterday with the victory of Genevieve, a 37-metre sloop owned by Tom Saylak and built by Alloy Yachts. The 50-metre sloop Zefira, built by Fitzroy Yachts and flying the YCCS burgee took second place ahead of the 30-metre Nostromo with Olympic champion Jesper Bank calling tactics. The event, held from 1st-3rd June, saw 14 Dubois-designed sailing yachts gather in Porto Cervo, seven of which competed over two days of regattas on the waters of the Costa Smeralda.

Barry Houghton's 45 metre Salperton - also flying the YCCS burgee and with Olympic champion Shirley Robertson at the helm - won day two at the conclusion of a race sailed under a sizzling sun and against the backdrop of the granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago with around 8 to 12 knots of easterly breeze. Second place went to Zefira, with America's Cup sailor Flavio Favini aboard, while third place for Genevieve, coupled with a bullet on day one, was enough to take her to overall victory.

'I've been racing in Porto Cervo for 20 years,' commented Saylack. 'The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda does a really great job, the coastline is gorgeous and you never know what you're going to get. That's a part of racing and that's part of what makes this one of my favourite places in the world to sail.'

At the conclusion of racing owners, crews and guests gathered at the YCCS Clubhouse for the prizegiving ceremony in which each member of the fleet received a special award in addition to the top three yachts. The evening continued with a party for everyone who participated in this biennial event characterized by an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendly competition.

The next edition of the Dubois Cup is scheduled for June 2015, however the YCCS sporting calendar continues immediately with the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta from fourth to 8th June. Twenty-one sailing giants ranging from 24 to 50 metres now line the quays of Porto Cervo Marina with racing scheduled to start at 12 midday on Wednesday 5th YCCS website Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta website