Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
Saudade, My Song and Grande Orazio triumph overall at the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
The 2015 edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta came to a close on Sunday’s balmy afternoon with the traditional prize-giving ceremony seeing Saudade, My Song and Grande Orazio triumph. A forecast of light winds had proved a concern, however, the conditions combined with the new ORCsy rating rule, only served to highlight the incredible skill and expertise of the crews aboard the magnificent superyachts.
The yachts were divided into three Classes, with the largest yachts – ranging from the 45 metre Saudade to the 55 metre Marie – racing under a time-on-time system with staggered starts at set intervals and the final results decided after the finish by corrected time. Right from the start, it was clear that regatta veteransSaudade and the 46 metre Ganesha were in a class of their own, with the intense but friendly rivalry delivering thrilling races every day.
iFirst blood on Day One went to Ganesha with Saudade only managing third, but in the next two races it wasSaudade who got the upper hand, sailing flawlessly to sneak over the line just ahead of Ganesha on corrected time. With a final scoreline that was tied on five points apiece after the last day’s race was cancelled,Saudade took Class Victory on countback.
It was a similar fight for third in Class A, with the ketch Marie tied on points with the 45 metre Perini Navi Clan VIII after three days of racing. On countback, Clan VIII claimed the third podium position, thanks to her impressive second place result on the first day – no mean feat for a heavy boat in such light conditions.
Class B featured the performance yachts, with Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s Cookson-built yacht My Song – the oldest yacht in the fleet – battling both the 33 metre Inoui and the 33 metre WinWin – the newest yacht in the fleet, and also the fastest rated. There was barely anything in it, with each yacht displaying both slick manoeuvres and informed tactical decisions on the course combined with judicious match racing and blocking moves to defend their positions.
On each day, the same story played out. WinWin fought her way through the fleet to duel with Inoui, and then sailing on to try to catch an impressive My Song. The closeness of the finishes was extraordinary – WinWintook second from Inoui just 100 metres from the finish line on Embraer Executive Jets Race Day (Day Two), and on Day Three relentlessly clawed My Song in only to run out of racecourse, crossing the finish line less than 20 seconds behind. Ultimately, though, My Song proved uncatchable in the light airs, and she took Class victory with an impressive three wins out of three.
Saudade and Ganesha battle it out in Class A. Image Credit: Carlo BorlenghiIn Class C, the Southern Wind yacht Grande Orazio was back to defend her title. One year on, and with the yacht now a year old, her owner and crew sailed her to perfection dominating the Class and taking three wins out of three. The 24 metre Wally Nahita – in only her second regatta – put in a strong showing to secure second, but third place was only decided on countback as both the Southern Wind yacht Blues and the Spirit Yacht 100 Gaia had been tied for points going into the last day, giving Blues the slight advantage.
The week proved that even in consistently light airs, these magnificent yachts are still capable of putting on a thrilling show – and still capable of some nail-bitingly close action.
Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda commented on the week’s proceedings: “It was thrilling to see how such imposing boats managed to provide exciting racing in fairly light winds. As always the Loro Piana event brought a varied fleet – some new boats competing for the first time here in Porto Cervo and many owners who come back year after year for the special atmosphere of this regatta.”
Class B’s performance yacht, Inoui Image Credit: Carlo BorlenghiIn addition to racing, superyacht owners along with their guests and crew enjoyed an elegant social programme befitting of glamorous Porto Cervo.
After registration, attendees gathered to open the event in style at a Welcome Cocktail hosted at the prestigious YCCS clubhouse. Guests reconvened at the YCCS on the second night for the Loro Piana Owners’ Dinner for an exquisite feast prepared by Massimiliano Alajmo, chef of three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Calandre, Padua, whilst enjoying an incredible performance from the the internationally acclaimed singer and songwriter Delta Goodrem.
The following evening brought a cocktail competition which pitted yacht against yacht in a bid to create the best cocktail using Belvedere Vodka, provided by sponsor Moët Hennessy. Yacht Marie’s cocktail was the clear winner with a concoction mixing the vodka with home made strawberry syrup, egg whites and white pepper. It was a tough call as to who enjoyed the competition more – the winning crew who took home a magnum of Belvedere Vodka, or the judging panel who had the pleasure of sampling 14 different entries!
Chic Phi Beach played host for the Sunset Party on the evening of Day Three where guests enjoyed the beautiful view and danced under the stars on the island’s pure white sands.
The Welcome Cocktail at sunset on the terrace at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Image credit: Carlo BorlenghiAs part of the social programme after race drinks, courtesy of Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, were hosted on the Piazza and on the last day guests and sponsors of Boat International Media were invited to lunch at the stunning venue of La Casitta within the Maddalena archipelago hosted and sponsored by Sardinia Yacht Services. Cantiere Savona’s new Luxi33 tender and Admiral’s brand new 24m yacht Gigreca whisked guests to enjoy the fabulous lunch with an amazing view.
The festivities continued after the fourth and final day of racing as owners, along with their elite race crews, gathered in Porto Cervo’s Piazza Azzurra to commemorate victories of the regatta. Saudade, My Song andGrande Orazio collected Loro Piana first place prizes for each Class and the same yachts also triumphed on Embraer Executive Jets Race Day. The Loro Piana Prize, the Silver Jubilee Cup by Boat International Media was awarded to Saudade along with a special gift from Acqua di Parma.
Boat International Media and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda would like to thank all our sponsors for helping to make the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015 a successful and enjoyable event in Sardinia. Special thanks go to Title Sponsor Loro Piana and Gold Sponsor Embraer Executive Jets as well as Event Associates Pantaenius Yacht Insurance, Cantiere Savona, Acqua di Parma, Dom Perignon and Sardinia Yacht Services.
We are delighted to announce next year’s regatta dates from 7 to 11 June 2016.
