by Jill Campbell
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s (YCCS) 2011 sporting calendar was presented to journalists and sponsors during a press conference held in Milan’s Museum of Science and Technology this morning. In addition to the international sailing events for which the YCCS is renowned, 2011 will also include a range of new events and challenges bearing witness to the dynamic and innovative spirit that has characterized the Italian Club since its foundation in 1967.
2011 Regattas. As is traditional, the Costa Smeralda sailing season includes several events for the Smeralda 888 Class which have become eagerly awaited annual appointments for teams from prominent Clubs around the world. The small and agile one-design craft created for the YCCS by German Frers will take to the waters off Porto Cervo for the Trofeo Vela & Golf (13 -15 May), the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 (27 - 29 May) and the Invitational Smeralda 888 (8- 10 July).
Each year the Club dedicates particular attention to superyacht regattas and prestigious events such as the Dubois Cup (4 – 6 June), the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta (7 -11 June) and the Perini Navi Cup (1 - 4 September) prove that the sector is one of great interest to the yachting community. Major events continue in September with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup – Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship (5 -10 September), organized with the support of the Club’s historic partner Rolex, and with the return of the Veteran Big Boat Rally (12 -15 September), last organized by the YCCS in 2007.
For those who crave the thrill of pure competition, the season also includes international one-design racing with the Audi Invitational Melges 32 (16 -19 June) and Audi TP52 World Championship (2– 8 October) organized in collaboration with the official automotive partner of the YCCS. The Settimana delle Bocche Farr 40 - European Circuit (29 June – 2 July) completes the list of regattas that promise to bring world famous sailors and a host of sailing fans to Porto Cervo.
Audi Azzurra Sailing Team. Among the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s diverse activities planned for 2011 is the return of Azzurra to competitive racing on the regatta courses of the Audi MedCup circuit. The new project was conceived together with YCCS member and owner of the TP52 Matador, Alberto Roemmers, and with official YCCS partner Audi. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team will once again bring the values that made Azzurra an Italian sporting icon - having been the first Italian challenger for the America’s Cup in 1983 - to international regatta courses. The finishing touches are currently being put to the new TP52 Azzurra, designed by Rolf Vrolijk, at the King Marina shipyard in Valencia and she is due to be launched on 10th April. The crew boasts top sailors including skipper Guillermo Parada, tactician Francesco Bruni (helmsman of Azzurra since 2009) and strategist Vasco Vascotto. Training will take place on the waters off Valencia before participation in the PalmaVela regatta in late April. The official naming ceremony will take place on 16th May in Cascais, Portugal, just before the Audi MedCup circuit commences. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team will also take part in the Copa del Rey in Palma de Majorca (31 July – 6 August) and the Audi TP52 World Championship organized by the YCCS in October.
YCCS Virgin Gorda and YCCS Marina. Perhaps the most momentous development of 2011 is the opening of the YCCS winter base in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. The new Clubhouse is scheduled to open at the end of the year and will offer the same level of excellence that members enjoy in the Mediterranean within an equally exclusive environment and in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. The adjacent YCCS Marina Virgin Gorda is already operational and offers a range of services that make it the ideal superyacht harbour in the Caribbean. The Club’s activities in the BVI got off to an impressive start in March with the inaugural edition of the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous (16-20 March) while the final YCCS regatta of 2011, the Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta - Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Regatta, will leave Tenerife on 21st November bound for Virgin Gorda. The arrival of the fleet of maxi and superyachts is scheduled to coincide with the official opening of the Club’s second home.
The YCCS’ Porto Cervo Clubhouse is scheduled to open on 21st April. The Club’s Blu Mediterraneo Spa, open to members and the public, will once again feature selected Acqua di Parma and Technogym products.
For further information please visit the websites:
www.yccs.com and
www.azzurra.it
