Yacht Club Costa Smeralda to have Caribbean base

by Turner PR for Victor International on 30 Oct 2010
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is pleased to announce that it has selected the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands as its Caribbean base.

For over 40 years the YCCS has been one of the leading Yacht Clubs in the Mediterranean, and this new expansion follows the expressed wishes of the Club’s Members to have access to quality facilities and services on both sides of the Atlantic. It has taken several years to find the perfect location for the new Clubhouse, including excellent regatta courses, fine cruising areas, and luxurious social amenities. The inauguration date for YCCS Virgin Gorda is scheduled for March 2011, in conjunction with the inaugural Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous taking place from 16th to 20th March and organized by the YCCS and Boat International Media.

This second YCCS base will enable the international sailing and yachting community to enjoy the YCCS’s expertise in the organization of top-level international sailing events and exclusive hospitality services. Amenities at YCCS Virgin Gorda will include the Clubhouse, several docks and a marina for superyachts, as well as a selection of restaurants, shops, a pool, outdoor recreation areas, bars and concierge service for yachtsmen.

His Highness the Aga Khan, President of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, commented on the club’s Caribbean initiative: 'The Officers and Members of the YCCS are very happy to see this new initiative come to fruition. We have aimed to expand our sporting and cruising activities internationally for many years, and this opportunity in Virgin Gorda will give our Members access to wonderful new locations for sailing and yachting, as well as all the services that YCCS offers in its current home base at Porto Cervo. We intend to maintain the same level of excellence in all our activities that have come to be recognized as a hallmark of the YCCS in the Mediterranean.'

This site has been chosen based on a number of key attributes including its beautiful location, with beaches, protected anchorages and marinas, its accessibility by air and sea, the security and stability of the British Virgin Islands and, not least, the region’s renowned sailing waters where YCCS intends to develop world-class regattas. YCCS Virgin Gorda will be located on a private peninsula on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda in the protected waters of North Sound. The Club and marina have easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as well as the islands and anchorages of the Virgin Islands and the Leeward and Windward Isles.

The YCCS Virgin Gorda development includes a state of the art superyacht marina designed by ATM and built by Bellingham Marine. The marina, opening in December 2010 will offer up to 38 slips for mega yachts that range in size from 30 – 100 meters (98,4 – 328 feet).

The Club and Marina, developed in partnership with Victor International Corp. will be linked to the Oil Nut Bay Luxury Resort Community and Beach Club as well as the Biras Creek Resort (a Relais and Chateaux property). Victor International Corporation is an internationally-respected luxury real estate developer with a commitment to creating unique sustainable environments that exist in harmony with nature.

'We are honored to be partnering with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. We have combined the finest real estate marine property in the Caribbean with one of the world’s leading yacht clubs with decades of tradition and sailing excellence.' commented David V. Johnson, Chairman of Victor International Corporation. 'The YCCS Virgin Gorda and our Oil Nut Bay luxury resort community will offer the highest standards and services for our owners and guests and will provide the ideal home base for cruising the Caribbean. Together they will set a new benchmark for the planning and design of a Caribbean resort destination.'

www.yccs.com