REGATE DI PRIMAVERA – PORTOFINO

REGATE DI PRIMAVERA – PORTOFINO April 28th – May 2nd 2021

Notice of Race and registration available online

REGATE DI PRIMAVERA – PORTOFINO – The big yachts are back in Portofino, with the ‘Pearl of Mediterranean’ again ready to act as the backstage, the cradle of sailors, fishermen, and great sailors, ready to host events destined to leave a mark in the hearts of participants. The Regate di Primavera – Portofino is back with a significant new name: Splendido Mare Cup, an explicit link to the Splendido Mare, a Belmond Hotel, Portofino, a new hotel from the luxury hospitality group Belmond. The iconic structure overlooking the Portofino piazzetta has been completely renovated over the past two years. This will be a unique and special occasion to celebrate the renaissance of the town and the life of the people who make Portofino such a unique and legendary destination. 

‘In May 1980 in Portofino, the first edition of the IOR spring races – Trofeo Zegna took place in collaboration with the municipality of Portofino. 60 IOR yachts and nine J24’ took part’. With these few but emblematic lines, the yearbook of the Yacht Club Italiano remembers the start of a Trophy that over time became the not to be missed start of the Mediterranean sailing season. 

“For too long great sailing has been missing in Portofino” says the town’s mayor Matteo Viacava, “particularly for a town like ours so closely linked to the sea. I come from a family of master carpenters and boats are a fundamental element of my life; a job, a family tradition, and a passion. For me, as for all the inhabitants, it will be a real joy to see again the town and its sea, privileged guests and protagonists of the Regate di Primavera.” 

So in 2021, the sailing-Portofino connection is back, thanks to the collaboration between the Yacht Club Italiano, the Municipality of Portofino, the International Maxi Association, and Belmond as title partner; flanked by the world’s main superyacht yards such as Wally, Southern Wind Shipyard, Nautor’s Swan and Mylius Yachts, together to bring to life four days of splendid races on the sea and celebrating the ancient ties between the town and the sport of sailing. 

“Racing again at Portofino,” says Yacht Club Italiano president Gerolamo Bianchi, “with which we are united by an ancient bond, is of very great satisfaction. Here for 23 years we have organised the Bombola d’Oro Trophy for Dinghy 12s, for many years we have had the ‘Zegna’, the Pirelli races, the Portofino Rolex Trophy, and other high-ranking regattas, but the first engagements from the then Regio YCI go right back to 1890 and since 1965 the Plant has its summer headquarters on the Molo Umberto I. Portofino is also a perfect natural environment for hosting sporting events, and in unpredictable and very technical racing area, especially at this time of year. So heartfelt thanks to the willingness and effective participation of all those involved for managing to organise such an important event, despite the complexity of the historical period we are living through.” 

BELMOND AND PORTOFINO 

Portofino is home to wo of Belmond’s legendary properties the Splendido Hotel, steeped in history and glamour and nestled in the hills overlooking Portofino and the newly refurbished Splendido Mare, a charming guest house in the heart of the Portofino harbour. he Splendido Mare will open its door on April 16 with an unmatchable view over the Bay. 

PROGRAMME 

The Regate di Primavera – Portofino – Splendido Mare Cup will begin officially on Wednesday, April 28 with the arrival of the yachts and registration procedures. The boats will be moored in the Portofino Marina as long the port of Santa Margherita Ligure and at anchor in the beautiful surrounding bays. Action on the water begins on Thursday, April 29 with the start of the first race and will end on Sunday, May 2 with the final race and prize-giving. 

THE RACES 

The Race is for yachts of more than 18 m and participation is exclusively for yachts built by Wally, Southern Wind Shipyard, Nautor’s Swan, and Mylius Yachts. Authentic icons of world yachting headquartered in Italy, Finland, South Africa, and Monaco, but all with Italian DNA. Participants will be divided into two groups: racer and cruiser-racer and will race on different courses in the Gulf of Tigullio: fast races around the marks for the former and coastal races for the latter. In addition to yachts from these yards, yacht owners who are members of the International Maxi Association and the YCI may enter. 

The shipyards 

WALLY

World leader in yachting innovation and brand of Ferretti Group, Wally combines the latest technology with contemporary design, constantly looking at ways of improving on the water enjoyment with performance, comfort, and style. Founded in 1994 in Monaco by Luca Bassani, a passionate and visionary yachtsman, Wally changed the entire concept of cruising yachts and created groundbreaking sailing and powerboats which are unmatched reference points in yachting and in the design world. 

First in the superyacht industry, Wally created the Wally Class to enable the owners to race their cruising boats in a Corinthian environment, taking the helm in person with a successful ProAm formula.
Wally is the only yachting brand to be a two-time winner of the ADI Compasso d’Oro, the world’s most important award for quality and design. 
wally.com 

SOUTHERN WIND SHIPYARD 

SWS was founded in Cape Town in 1991 by the engineer Willy Persico, a charismatic entrepreneur who made the shipyard an international success story that continues today, almost three years after he sadly passed away. With European shareholders, all valuable entrepreneurs and yachtsmen, international and loyal management and a highly skilled workforce in South Africa, Southern Wind is a globally orientated company boasting a leading positioning in the market of luxury superyacht market from 27 to 35m. The project offered to the market, SW96, SW105, and SW120 embody notions of seaworthiness, reliability and sailing exhilaration without compromising on the comfort expected of a luxury cruiser. The know-how gained in the design and assembly process of 55 performance cruisers in the range of 30m+, guarantees the development of ever-increasing dependability and continuous innovation even in the construction of custom projects, two of which were delivered in the last 4 years. At the heart of Southern Wind’s success is indeed the ability to find the right balance between customization, quality and production efficiency.
sws-yachts.com 

NAUTOR’S SWAN 

Nautor’s Swan has more than half a century of experience in building performance sailing yachts, which are recognised the world over for the perfect combination of style, quality, performance and reliability. The exceptional sailing performance will always define any Swan and, while the more traditional Swan Yachts will retain the familiar element of cruising comfort along with their ability to compete, ClubSwan Yachts are high-performance yachts based upon cutting-edge design principles. More than 2,000 yachts have been built over five decades between 36 and 131 feet, and more are about to come. The latest generation of Swan yachts includes the Swan 120, the Swan 98, the Swan 88, the Swan 78, the Swan 65, the Swan 58, the Swan 48, the outstanding ClubSwan 125 and ClubSwan 36 and the recently announced ClubSwan 80. 

In 2021 Nautor’s Swan debuts in the motor yacht segment by launching a new division with the innovative Swan shadow. Jewels in the crown of the ClubSwan calendar are the Rolex Swan Cup, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo), and the Nations Trophy, dedicated to the Swan One Design yachts (ClubSwan 36, ClubSwan 50, Swan 45, ClubSwan 42). 
nautorswan.com 

MYLIUS YACHTS, ITALY AT ITS BEST. 

Mylius is the highly specialized, full carbon, ship-owner-driven, semi-custom shipyard. Mylius Yachts are the perfect joining of the peculiarity of the Italian style: deep knowledge of the sea, full planning, high technology, design, innovation, defining new standards for the cruising world. 

Mylius Yachts are unique because they harmonize, in a perfect synthesis speed and performance with design, comfort and safety.
Every Mylius Yachts is a unique creation from the boutique shipyard, where attention to detail and design are absolute priorities. A Mylius Yacht’s born from a team effort, with the shipowner that participates at every project and technical choice, to give birth to his vision of the sea. Every boat tells a unique story. 
Mylius.it 

ORGANISATION

The Regate di Primavera – Splendido Mare Cup is organised by the Yacht Club Italiano, Municipality of Portofino and the International Maxi Association under the aegis of the Federazione Italiana Vela. Belmond is title partner, Rolex the official timepiece while Loro Piana and Veuve Clicquot are technical partners; completing the supporters is the Banca Passadore.

During the event, specific protocols will be adopted based on the maximum safety of the participants, in compliance with the regulations for the contrast and containment of the spread of the COVID 19 virus.

Call for entries, registration, and information on the website yachtclubitaliano.it 

BELMOND 

Belmond has been a pioneer of luxury travel for over 45 years, building a passion for authentic escapes into a portfolio of one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Since the acquisition of the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has continued to perpetuate the legendary art of travel, taking discerning global travellers on breathtaking journeys. Its portfolio extends across 24 countries with 46 remarkable properties that include the illustrious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, remote beach retreats like Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Italian hideaways such as Splendido in Portofino, or unrivalled gateways to world natural wonders such as Hotel das Cataratas inside Brazil’s Iguazu National Park. From trains to river barges, safari lodges to hotels, each unique property offers an incomparable experience with its own story to tell. The essence of the Belmond brand is built upon its heritage, craftsmanship and genuine, authentic service. Belmond sees its role as custodians of timeless heritage, dedicated to preserving its assets through sensitive ongoing restoration plans. Belmond is part of the world’s leading luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. 
Belmond.com