by Jill Campbell
Following the 30 knot sirocco winds which swept the north coast of Sardinia yesterday, the area known as the Costa Smeralda thanks to its sparkling emerald green waters was today was caressed by the gentlest of breezes. So gentle, in fact, that the 28 sailing superyachts competing in the event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Boat International Media were unable to complete a coastal race. The provisional overall standings from Wednesday’s race therefore remain valid with Highland Fling and Ganesha leading the Performance and Cruising divisions respectively.
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Race Committee was forced to wait until 2.45 p.m. when 6 – 8 knots of breeze from south east filled in order to give the starting signal for the Performance Division. A 17 mile course starting with an initial upwind leg was set but the breeze shifted right and began to die out during the pursuit style starting sequence for the 23-boat Cruising division and shortly afterwards racing was abandoned for the day.
Peter Craig, Principal Race Officer for the event commented: “Our intention was to get the fleet started and then shorten the course if it became necessary but as the last boat - Ganesha – started, it became apparent that the wind was dying out and the fleet would not make it around the course within the time limit. There was no choice but to abandon racing, at least the whole fleet got a good practice start in!”
Consolation for owners and crews arrives in the form of the packed social programme which accompanies the sailing schedule. Tonight will see owners attending a gala dinner at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda while Sardinia Yacht Services will be hosting a Crew Party for over 400 people in the nearby picturesque village of San Pantaleo.
The weather forecast for tomorrow’s fourth and final day of the event predicts north easterly winds of approximately 10 knots. The event is scheduled to conclude tomorrow evening with the prize giving ceremony scheduled to take place at the YCCS at 6 p.m.
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
