Titans head to Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009

May 22, 2009

A fleet of sailing giants are set to take to the starting line of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2009 in just under three weeks time. This second edition of the event, organized by Boat International Media and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is open to yachts over 24 metres and will feature four days of racing from June 10th to 13th.

Eighteen superyachts with an average length of over 33 metres will compete in the regatta. An impressive list of entries boasts some of the finest, fasting racing superyachts in the world and includes the cutting edge Wally 101 sloop Indio, launched just one month ago and making its regatta debut in Porto Cervo.

Many of the participants are returning for the second time such as Claus Peter Offen's Y3K and Sir Lindsay Owen Jones' Magic Carpet², both Wally yachts which placed second and third respectively in the performance division in 2008.
Above: Wally yachts Y3K and Magic Carpet²
Photograph courtesy of YCCS

Additional competitors including the 39-metre Ganesha, winner of her category at the 2009 St Barths Bucket, will be acclimatized to the Porto Cervo conditions having just completed the Dubois Cup, also organized by the YCCS from June 6th to 8th. The overall winner of the St Barths Bucket, the 51.6 metre Royal Huisman schooner Meteor, will also compete in the regatta.

Racing in the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta will take place over four days with courses set in and around the granite islands of the La Maddalena archipelago off the coast of north-eastern Sardinia. With more than 30 options to choose from, the only problem for the YCCS Race Committee, headed by America's Cup Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio, will be deciding which spectacular route to send the fleet on based on the day's conditions.

Once back ashore, the social events for regatta participants will be every bit as exciting as the competition at sea. Owners and crews alike will be kept entertained by a busy social programme which includes the Skippers Briefing Cocktail and Loro Piana Owners Dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse and the Boat International Beach Party at Hotel Romazzino.

The Loro Piana Prize Overall - The Silver Jubilee Cup by Boat International Media will be presented to the overall winner during the prize giving ceremony scheduled for Saturday June 13th.