The new ORCsy rating rule, which will be used at this year’s Superyacht Cup Palma, proved extremely promising during the first two regattas in the fabulous Caribbean yacht charter location last month. It provided competitors with some of the closest and most exciting superyacht racing to date.

Luxury charter yacht P2 at The Superyacht Cup Palma 2013 – Image by Claire Matches

“The ORC collaborating with the Superyacht Racing Association (SYRA) is already evaluating the race results and reviewing the feedback provided by the event organisers and yacht representatives,” said SYRA Executive Peter Craig. “Based on lessons learned in Virgin Gorda and St Barths, the VPP will change and rule policy will be adjusted before the next regatta. We knew from the outset that this would be a challenging undertaking, but are really pleased with the rule´s debut. There is no question that full transparency is the key to success for the ORCsy.”

The impressive entry list for Palma has continued to grow with the addition of charter yacht P2 and superyacht Visione since their respective wins at the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht regatta and the St Barths Bucket.  “The three of us, Visione (45m Reichel Pugh/Baltic Yachts), superyacht Inoui (33m Briand/Vitters Shipyard and P2, Briand/Perini Navi 38m) have been neck-and-neck at the finish each race and I can say we are all sailing very well, so the handicap is clearly working. There are a few outliers that need some help and fixing but the heart of it is working. These boats are so complex that it does take a couple of years to get them to their top performance. I´d say we are pretty good at sailing our boat around the track and getting every ounce of speed out of it” explained P2´s helmsman Peter Holmberg after their win in Virgin Gorda. Clearly the three highly competitive yachts will continue their close racing in Palma in June. Visione, P2 and Inoui have all participated at the Superyacht Cup in previous years but not all in the same year so the competition is going to be as tight as ever.

Superyacht Visione – a winner of the St Barths Bucket 2015 – now heading to the Superyacht Cup Palma – Image by Claire Matches

Long term partners of the Superyacht Cup Pantaenius, Astilleros de Mallorca and Rolling Stock are  looking forward to this year´s regatta as many of the fleet head back to Palma from the Caribbean for various refit and painting projects prior to the European season. Rolling Stock´s Shore Support are offering SYC participating yachts assistance with all their on-shore arrangements during the regatta including housing, transport arrangements and provisioning.

New sponsors to recently confirm a three year partnership at silver level is Jotun. Jotun is one of the world´s leading manufacturers of decorative paints, marine, yacht, protective and powder coatings and is recognized as the leading supplier of megayacht topcoats, fillers, antifoulings and primers. “I am delighted with our new partnership with the Superyacht Cup Palma, it is a great opportunity for us to support this prestigious regatta and develop relationships with some of the best names in the superyacht world,” commented Marcus Reynolds, Yacht Marketing Manager for Jotun. 

The Superyacht Cup will be held from June 17-20th at Muelle Viejo, Palma with racing on the 18th/19th and 20th June.

The fleet of luxury sailing yachts gathered at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) Marina in the enchanting Sardinia yacht vacation location – Porto Cervo, ready to start the 2015 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. The popular four-day race is set to kick off today, on Wednesday, June 3.

Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015 Skipper’s Briefing at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda – Image credit to Carlo Borlenghi

This year’s event will be attended by previous competitors such as sailing yacht Ganesha, Cape Arrow, luxury yacht Inoui, superyacht Marie and Ohana, as well as newcomers, including the 45m Perini Navi Clan VIII, the 24,2m Oyster Maegan, the 24m Wally Nahita and the 33m Baltic super yacht WinWin.

Luxury yacht WinWin under sail – Photo by Jesus Renedo

The regatta will also mark the Porto Cervo premiere of the all-new superyacht rating rule. Conceived and refined by the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the ORCsy rule mixes up a sophisticated velocity prediction element with ‘dynamic allowances’ – basically meaning that allowances are made for yachts that, for example, take longer to tack because they have to furl away their headsails. Each yacht receives a number of ratings, covering different wind strengths as well as sea states, to ensure as close and fair competing as possible.

“The great thing about the new rule,” said Bruno Finzi, chairman of ORC, “is that it is transparent, so each owner can see how the data has been treated and can compare his yacht to all the others.”

Below is an amazing video from the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015 registration day, released by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda:

Following three days of thrilling and highly tactical competing, with the fourth day cancelled due to an almost total lack of wind, the winners of the 2015 Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta have become sailing yacht Saudade in Class A, My Song yacht in Class B and superyacht Grande Orazio in Class C.

Superyacht Saudade, Division A – Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015. Photo Carlo Borlenghi

The 45-metre Wally superyacht Saudade placed first, following the head-to-head battle with the 46-metre sloop Ganesha, taking second place. Third place overall in Class A went to the 45-metre Perini Navi sloop Clan VIII.

Class B saw the overall victory of Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s My Song superyacht, winning all three races. She was followed by the 33m Baltic super yacht WinWin and the 33m sailing yacht Inoui, respectively.

My Song Yacht, Division B – Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015. Photo Carlo Borlenghi

Similarly, the Southern Wind-built Massimiliano Florio’s Grande Orazio yacht won all three races, gaining the victory in Class C. Second place went to the Wally 80 yacht Nahita, while the 30m sailing yacht Blues placed third.

Super yacht Grande Orazio, Division C – Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2015. Photo Carlo Borlenghi

Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the YCCS, 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.”

Pier Luigi Loro Piana, Deputy Chairman of Loro Piana, also commented during the prize giving: “A special thanks must go to the Yacht Club, they put on a wonderful  show but I know how much work there is behind the scenes in creating an event like this. As a sponsor I am really proud of supporting this regatta and superyacht racing. The quality of the boats was very high this year and the racing was super. Thanks to all the owners for attending and I’ll see you all next year.”

The next year’s edition of the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta will be hosted by the winter home of the YCCS in the British Virgin Islands from March 9 to 12, 2016.

With a clean sweep of no less than three first places during the regatta, the majestic sailing yacht Marie has become the overall winner of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2015. This year’s edition of the popular Mediterranean race was marked by smart tactics, close racing, as well as fierce battles.

The mighty Marie yacht claimed overall victory in the 2015 Superyacht Cup Palma. ©www.clairematches.com

Superyacht Marie triumphed in Class A, while the 33m sailing yacht Inouï and the Oyster-built super yacht Maegan placed first in Class B and C respectively. Stephane Luca, captain on board Inouï, commented: “It was a very interesting race with many boats, everybody met each other at the downwind mark on the way to the finish and it was exciting fighting with all the other fast boats like Open Season, Visione and Win Win.”

The well powered 33m super yacht Inouï claimed top slot in Class B. ©www.clairematches.com

This year’s 19th edition of the Superyacht Cup Palma came to an end with the amazing prize-giving, hosted by the Superyacht Cup’s race village.

Next year’s Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous will host an amazing fleet of the world’s finest sailing and motor yachts, some of them available for a luxury superyacht charter. The event promises to be a spectacular occasion and one not to be missed.

Superyacht Ohana has registered to be part of the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous fleet for 2016 – Photo by Carlo Borlenghi.

The registered fleet include such beautiful vessels as the 24,68m Alia charter yacht Aiyana, the 38,8m Claasen superyacht Atalante, the 42m Vitters charter yacht Bella Ragazza, the 30m Southern Wind Blues, the 45m Perini Navi luxury yacht Clan VIII, the 27,7m Nautor’s Swan Freya, the 46m Vitters Ganesha, the 66,7m Baltic mega yacht Hetairos, the 33,4m Vitters Inoui, the 34m Baltic Nilaya, the 23,2m Pendennis charter yacht Ocean Phoenix, the 27,71m Nautor’s Swan Odin, the 50m Fitzroy Ohana, the 25m Oyster Pandemonium, the 60m Perini Navi mega yacht Perseus3, the 60m Perini Navi charter yacht Seahawk, the 34,17m Vitters Unfurled and the 28,6m Southern Wind Windfall.

Motor yacht owners are also invited to join the very first Westport Rendezvous, which will be held in conjunction with the main regatta. An on the water program will see motor yachts follow the exciting racing and enjoy the fabulous surroundings of the British Virgin Islands. The day’s activities will be complemented with parties and dinners to enjoy. All motor yachts with a LOA in excess of 24m / 80 feet and above are invited to register.

The Westport Rendezvous is a new addition to the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous. Photo by Jeff Brown

The official closing date for entries for the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous is nearing with the provisional registration list reveals an impressive fleet of participants, including experienced as well as first-time participants. More than 30 yachts are expected to participate in this annually held regatta, which is scheduled to take place from 9th to 12th March in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The regatta marks the start of the 2016 sporting season for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Virgin Gorda, BVI. Photo Carlo Borlenghi

Amongst the sailing superyachts that have registered are the well-known veteran participants such as the 34-metre NILAYA, winder of the 2014 edition, fast sloop P2, division winner in 2015, the 46m GANESHA, two-time winner of the Porto Cervo edition of the event, the 33m INOUI or the 66,7m HETAIROS. Newcomers include the 45m CLAN VIII, Swan 90 ODIN, 46m UNFURLED or the 38,8 m ATALANTE.

Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous 2015. Photo Carlo Borlenghi/YCCS/BIM

The motoryacht Rendezvous will by sponsored by Westport and will feature a number of luxury yachts cruising in company each day to watch racing and sample the beautiful coves and opulent hideaways of the British Virgin Islands.

All participating owners and guests will be entertained by a rich programme of elegant social happenings with welcome cocktails, the exclusive Loro Piana Owners’ Dinner and the final prize giving held at the YCCS Clubhouse overlooking the North Sound, while a beach party will take place at the nearby Oil Nut Bay resort.

Last Saturday saw yet another fabulous edition of Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous conclude, with winning yachts awarded in each of the four competing divisions. The thrilling three-day race saw strong winds accompanying the participating vessels, racing around the stunning British Virgin Islands. The regatta was full of excitement thanks to a packet scheduled both on water and off water put on by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International.

Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous 2016

From the first day the 34m NILAYA and the 33m INOUI raced for victory in Class A, with the overall victory achieved by NILAYA after a very tight competition, beating INOUI
by one point only. In addition, NILAYA claimed the Loro Piana Prize: The Boat International Trophy for the top scored superyacht overall.

Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous 2016

In Class B, there were different winners each day. UNFURLED won in Race 1 but an equipment failure in Race 2 prevented her from finishing the course while the 60-metre HETAIROS took the win. The third day saw yet another vessel triumph with the 38-metre Perini Navi charter yacht P2 taking the overall win in the class.

The Class C saw the 59m ketch SEAHAWK, also available for yacht charter, take the early lead and consolidate her position with a second bullet in Race 2, ahead of the 50m OHANA. An exciting battle that saw the sailing yacht BELLA RAGAZZA cross the line just 5 seconds before SEAHAWK, securing her the second place, while SEAHAWK took the first place and OHANA third.

Swan 90 S/Y FREYA took the overall win in the Class D while the second place went to MAEGAN and BLUES took the third.

The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous is set to take place in Sardinia, Italy, from the 30th of May until the 3rd of June, kicking off the summer events season with intense action from newcomers and veterans alike.

The rocky coast of Sardinia creates an impressive setting for the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. Photo credit: YCCS

Registration is currently open until the 2nd of May for what promises to be the largest fleet in the event yet. Previous winners SAUDADE and OPEN SEASON have returned to defend their titles against proven competitors MAGIC CARPET 3 and INOUI, while new additions FARFALLA, ESCAPADE and GALATEIA promise to spice up the action.

Porto Cervo is set to welcome participants at the world renowned Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, where each crew and owner had the opportunity to size up the competition for the Silver Jubilee Cup before the first day of sailing.

Saudade from the 2016 edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. Photo credit: Carlo Borlenghi

Sardinia is one of the most highly regarded destinations in the Mediterranean: Regattas, yacht clubs such as the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, glittering beaches and high-end shopping all add to the allure of the area, where many new superyachts make their summer season debuts. Find a fine selection of yachts available for Sardinia charters here.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup was held in Porto Cervo from the 3rd to the 9th of September and provided a treat for onlookers with seven classes participating in five races or more throughout the week-long event.

Overall winner of the Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship, SY MOMO. Photo credit: ROLEX / Carlo Borlenghi

Sailing yacht MOMO claimed the 2017 Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship, beating closest competitors PROTEUS by a single point BELLA MENTE and CANNONBALL were also close to claiming the top spot, only 2 points behind the overall winner.

“We feel really good. We are happy and proud to win here finally,” said Dieter Schön for the crew of MOMO. “After last season we improved a lot of details in our boat and as a team – very small things multiply to make you quicker.”

The Super Maxi class victory went to RIBELLE. Photo credit: ROLEX / Carlo Borlenghi

In the Super Maxi class, WINWIN also vied for top spot with a single point’s difference between them and RIBELLE deciding victory for the latter, while NILAYA, INOUI and VIRIELLA were challenged as much by the the changeable wind conditions and light breezes as they were by the other racers.

Among the Mini Maxi yachts, the crew of JETHOU proved her worth by coming in first in all 5 races to secure a lead of 7 points or greater against SEPCTRE, LUCKY and ADELASIA DI TORRES.

S/Y SUPERNIKKA claimed Mini Maxi Racer Cruiser 1. Photo credit: ROLEX / Carlo Borlenghi

Although ATLANTA II finished first on the final day of racing for the Mini Maxi Racer Cruiser 1 group, it was the consistent performance of SUPERNIKKA that earned her first place, while the Mini Maxi Racer Cruiser 2 group was won by H20.

Although GALATEIA finished 9th in the penultimate race, finishing 2nd against OPEN SEASON in the final race ensured that she was the overall winner of the Wally class.

The impressive line starts from some of the world’s biggest regatta yachts. Photo credit: ROLEX / Carlo Borlenghi

The International Maxi Association and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda organised the event, the latter celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. International Maxi Association President Thomas Bscher said of this year’s Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: “It has been a fabulous week with very good conditions – strong winds, no swell, no big waves. There is a little room for improve on the organisation side and we are trying to support the officials, because we want people to come back and we want to increase the number of boats.”

Prizes were awarded by YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo, President of Rolex Italy Gian Riccardo Marini, IMA President Thomas Bscher and His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan.

The 11th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta has concluded with sailing yachts MY SONG and SAVANNAH taking first place for class A and Class B respectively.

My Song. Photo credit Breed Media

The prestigious regatta took place at Porto Cervo in Sardinia and was organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, providing five days of social events and nine races in total. Sailing yachts MY SONG, SAUDADE, INOUI and HIGHLAND FLING 15 made up Class A, which competed in light to moderate winds the first two races and strong winds on the third day to sail 21 miles around La Maddalena Archipelago to return to the starting line in Porto Cervo.

Savannah. Photo credit Breed Media

In Class A, MY SONG won her third race after her competitors had to pull out: S/Y SAUDADE had to forfeit shortly after starting due to issues with her foresails and INOUI stayed in port. HIGHLAND FLING 15 meanwhile sailed to Palma de Mallorca for a damage assessment following a collision with a submerged and un-mapped rock the previous day.

Loro Piana 2018. Photo credit Breed Media

Loro Piana 2018 – Video by Breed Media

Four yachts made up Class B: OHANA, ESCAPADE, SAVANNAH and GANESHA. 27m/89ft SAVANNAH and 46m/151ft GANESHA put on a show for spectators as they battled it out for first place, but in the end it was SAVANNAH who took the title for Class B, beating GANESHA by only 33 seconds.

“It’s great to win, it’s a wonderful regatta and the best location in the world,” SAVANNAH’s owner, Hugh Morrison said about the occasion. “We had very good breeze today, very good conditions, flat seas and it was really very impressive to see all the other boats catching up with us.”

Video from Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta – Breed Media

Loro Piana 2018 in Porto Cervo. Photo credit Breed Media

Loro Piana 2018 in Porto Cervo. Photo credit Breed Media

The Silver Jubilee races are for superyachts over 30m/100ft and consisted of MY SONG, ESCAPADE, INOUI, GANESHA, OHANA and SAUDADE with HIGHLAND FLING 15 unable to participate.

Loro Piana 2018. Photo credit Breed Media

Loro Piana 2018. Photo credit Breed Media

The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2018 concluded with Princess Zahra Aga Khan, President of the YCCS and One Ocean Boards of Directors, attending the prized-giving in Piazza Azzurra.

MY SONG owner Pier Luigi Loro Piana commented:

“Almost paradoxically I’m sad because such a great event has come to an end. Sardinia in this season is always fantastic, and today has made up to everyone present for the uncertainties of the first few days. I’m also sorry for the many owners who were unable to be present for this edition, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite them here for the next one. Finally, I want to thank my crew for the great job they did on tuning the boat, they deserve the credit for this victory.”

Porto Cervo and Sardinia as a whole is a favourite superyacht charter destination during the Mediterranean charter season. The Perini Navi Cup is another highly acclaimed regatta hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and is due to be held on the 19th-22nd of September 2018.

Results:

Class A

MY SONG

INOUI

SAUDADE

HIGHLAND FLING 15

Class B

SAVANNAH

GANESHA

ESCAPADE

OHANA

Silver Jubilee

MY SONG

GANESHA

ESCAPADE

OHANA

INOUI

SAUDADE

HIGHLAND FLING 15