by Jill Campbell
There is now less than one week to go before the Mediterranean superyacht racing calendar opens with four days of exhilarating racing on the emerald waters of the Costa Smeralda at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. The regatta will take place from 8th to 12th July and is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in collaboration with Boat International Media.
Following consultation with the participating owners, Edoardo Recchi, Sports Director at YCCS, has split the diverse fleet of 28 yachts into two divisions with the aim of making the competition as exciting and challenging as possible for all involved without compromising the safety of the vessels or crew.
The five yachts in the racing division will have a fleet start and the twenty three yachts in the cruising division will start at one minute intervals on a pursuit start.
RACING DIVISION Highland Fling; Indio, Magic Carpet 2; My Song; Y3K
CRUISING DIVISION Dark Shadow; Django Too; Fado; Farandwide; Farewell; Ganesha; Gliss; Hamilton II; Illusion of the Isles; I-Sea; Jazz Jr; Liara; Moonbird; Mrs Seven; P2; Saleperton IV; Saudade; Scorpione dei Mari; Southern Star; Unfurled; Whisper; White Lie; Zefiro
The overall winning yacht of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2010 will be named on the perpetual Silver Cup which is displayed in the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the owner of the vessel will be presented with a unique hand blown glass sculpture by Chihuly made especially for the event reflecting the colours of the Sardinian waters.
Special prizes will also be awarded to the overall winning yacht of each division. These will be handmade, polished stainless steel yacht models by the artist John Mellows of Azure Dragon Marine Sculptures.
The race will be supported by Feadship's luxurious 39 metre motor yacht GO which will follow the racing as will motor yachts from the Maxi Dolphin and Blue Game boatyards.
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
