The second day of racing at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta

The second day of racing at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani, was graced with an east-northeasterly breeze of 10 to 14 knots, which allowed the Race Committee to commence the starting procedures on schedule at 12.30 p.m. 

The superyachts crossed the starting line located near the Bisce island and set off on a course that would take them to circumnavigate the islands of Caprera and La Maddalena in an anticlockwise direction. Leaving the island of Spargi to starboard and after passing through the channel between Palau and La Maddalena, the competitors reached the Tre Monti shallows in the Saline Gulf. From here they headed to the Monaci islet, rounded it, and made for the finish line located in front of Porto Cervo, for a course covering approximately 30 miles in total. 

The Multihulls started on a reach, while the Superyachts sailed to an offset mark before sailing around the perimeter of the archipelago. After an individual staggered start with 3 minutes between each boat, the superyachts reached the blowiest part of the course in a compact group. Competitors found up to 15 knots to the north of the La Maddalena island, after having sailed along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Sardinian coastline.

Taking centre stage today were the schooner Mariette of 1915 and the Wally 95 Magic Blue, owned by Antonio Cacace, and with Francesco De Angelis calling tactics, which placed second in corrected time. Mariette put in an excellent performance, winning today's race with a very comfortable margin, unlike the rest of the fleet, where the deltas in compensated time were much slimmer.

Third place went to the 108' Win Win, just 7 seconds ahead of Magic Carpet Cubed - who maintains, however, the overall lead in the provisional classification for the Superyacht Division. In the Multihull race Allegra, with Australia's Paul Larsen on tactics, took first place ahead of Highland Fling 17.

Francesco De Angelis, tactician on Magic Blue. “The course around the islands today was beautiful.

The first thing is that you have to look and place your boat well on the course wind wise but you also need to stay away from the rocks, and deal with the shifts, there is a lot of manoeuvring to do. Our owner and helmsman, Tonino, was very precise and concentrated all day. The crew did a good job and the fleet is really strong, so when you’re ahead you try to keep that clean air for as long as possible. 

Every time I come here I appreciate how beautiful this place is, it seems simple in terms of wind, but there’s always something different that makes that race more complex, it’s great to be back here!”

The second day of the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy saw the fleet leave for a leisurely morning sail around the Monaci island, where the SW82 Ammonite and the SW96 Sorceress managed to get in some training in preparation for racing later in the season, engaging in a sort of match race. The fleet then anchored in the Pevero bay, while tonight the owners and their guests are invited to the traditional dinner organised by Southern Wind.

Racing continues tomorrow with the start scheduled for 12.30. Light winds are forecasts with stronger breezes possible locally.