If you missed attending the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta last month, then you missed seeing 19 yachts of various LOAs and designs compete in quite the challenge over the course of four days. Hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and sponsored by a number of companies, including Boat International Media, Fitzroy Yachts, Alloy Yachts, and Royal Huisman, the race featured everything from picture-perfect conditions to 30-plus-knot winds, the latter of which even delayed one day’s start by a few hours.
Judging from comments made by owners and guests alike, however, the dramatic weather changes and, of course, scenery only added to the fun. Notable names such as Saudade, Y3K, Moonbird, Gliss, and Magic Carpet2 participated in the second-annual, pursuit-style event. Albert Buell, owner of Saudade, says, “Unlike other places, you can sail much closer together among the [La Maddalena] islands, as there is much less swell.” Then there’s this great quote from Heiner Weiss, a guest aboard Open Season – and who also happens to be a race-car driver and pilot, so he knows plenty about excitement: “I am a pure sailing amateur, and this was my first racing onboard a yacht. It was a wonderful experience, this combination of nature and high technology. And then there is this tension onboard when the boats come so close to each other. There is a lot of concentration, and small mistakes can have heavy consequences.”
Textiles company Loro Piana plans to serve as title sponsor of the regatta once again next year, when the race is set for June 8 to 12. In the meantime, enjoy these scenes from last month’s race.
photos: Kurt Arrigo/YCCS
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