Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta starts in Costa Smeralda

My Song, Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2018 © YCCS / Borlenghi

All is ready in Porto Cervo for the 11th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, with the first race scheduled for tomorrow, June 6, on the waters of the Costa Smeralda. The event provides a unique combination of spectacular sailing between the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago and elegant social events ashore and will run through Saturday, June 9.

Today was set aside for registrations at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, organiser of the event in collaboration with title sponsor Loro Piana. Tomorrow the superyachts, ranging in length from the 27 metres of Savannah to the 50 metres of Ohana, will commence battle in pursuit races. The pursuit system sees each boat starting separately, in order to avoid any possible safety risks given the dimensions of these magnificent yachts, which have displacements of hundreds of tons.

First off the starting line will be the slower yachts, with the fastest hulls closing the starting sequence. For scoring purposes the fleet will be divided into two groups and the ORCsy rating system, specifically designed for these types of yachts in order to be able to compare their performances, will be applied.

Among the surefire protagonists of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2018 are Saudade, a three-time winner of past editions of the regatta. The 148-foot Wally owned by enthusiastic helmsman Albert Buell of Germany- who first raced on the Costa Smeralda in 1975 on an IOR class boat - will be looking to chalk up his fourth win in the event. Amongst those standing in his way will be Highland Fling 15, the Swan 115' owned by YCCS member Sir Irvine Laidlaw and the beautiful My Song, owned by Pier Luigi Loro Piana, also a YCCS member. Not to be underestimated are Inoui and Ganesha, two boats that know the waters off Porto Cervo well, while the return of Ohana, a 50-metre Fitzroy Yachts which took part in two consecutive editions of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in 2015 and 2016, is eagerly awaited. After debuting in the race in the last edition, the 37.5-metre Escapade - one of the last designs by Dubois Naval Architects - also returns to Porto Cervo, while for the elegant Spirit of Tradition yacht Savannah, this will be her first time at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta.

The Captain's Briefing was tonight at 6 p.m., followed by the YCCS Welcome Cocktail on the terrace to greet owners and their crews.

YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo had these words: "My warmest welcome to the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda goes to the participants of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2018. Thank you for being here. We expect a spectacular event at sea and as ashore, as always. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the commitment YCCS has undertaken towards safeguarding the sea, which belongs to all of us, through the One Ocean Foundation and the Charta Smeralda, a code of ethics whose principles govern our activities. In conclusion I would like to thank Loro Piana, our key partner in this event which is now in its 11th edition."

The first starting signal is scheduled for tomorrow at 11.30 a.m. with light winds forecast.

All official documents and results from the regatta are available on the YCCS website and via social media using #yccs #loropianasyr.