Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta off to a perfect start

Perfect weather conditions and Sardinia at its best marked the first day on the water at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of Title Sponsor Giorgio Armani. North-westerly winds of 12 to 15 knots provided for excellent sailing for both the Superyacht and Southern Wind Rendezvous divisions, on two different courses.

The superyachts set off right on time at 11.30 this morning, leaving the waters off Porto Cervo to circumnavigate the La Maddalena Archipelago. After passing through the Passo delle Bisce strait and past the Secca di Tre Monti, they proceeded to sail around Spargi, La Maddalena and Caprera, leaving the island of Monaci with its characteristic lighthouse to starboard, then returning to the Golfo delle Saline, and from there to the finish line off Porto Cervo, covering a total of approximately 34.5 miles. YCCS member Juan Ball's Swan 115 Moat, with Guillermo Parada on tactics, clinched a perfectly-timed start on the pin end - the mark at the opposite end of the starting line to the Race Committee boat. From here Moat took the lead and crossed the finish line first in real time. On corrected time, however, it was Francesco De Santis' Southern Wind RP-Nauta 100 Morgana, with two-time Olympic gold medallist Luis Doreste calling tactics, that took the win by 1 minute and 35 seconds.

“Morgana could not have had a better start to the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta,” commented Doreste back on the dock, “and we intend to keep it up. Today was a spectacular day, as always here in Sardinia, which highlighted the unique setting in which this event takes place. The course around the islands of the archipelago is also very technical, due to the wind transitions around the islands and the skill required in sailing close to the coast, with treacherous shoals to be avoided. This event is special, not only at sea but also ashore - tonight I will have the pleasure of attending the Owners‘ Dinner at the YCCS.”

Guillermo Parada, tactician on Moat: “The conditions today were perfect, with a building mistral and Porto Cervo as always offered beautiful sights. We had a good race but unfortunately we tore a jib, and replacing it, although quick, probably cost us the win in the end, given the narrow gap of just over a minute. Nevertheless, we are very satisfied with our performance. We have a young Olympic sailor from Uruguay at the helm, Pablo Defazio, who did a great job.”

The Southern Wind Rendezvous division, reserved for yachts from the shipyard of the same name, sailed in a spirit of friendly competition on a different course, which shared only the leg from the start to the Secca di Tre Monti with the Superyacht division. From here the fleet headed upwind towards the island of Monaci, then down under gennaker to the south, rounding the islands of Mortorio and Soffi in front of Cala di Volpe bay, where the finish line was set up. Here the Southern Wind fleet anchored, giving participants the chance to relax on board and enjoy the beautiful setting before returning to Porto Cervo towards evening, in time for the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta's most eagerly anticipated social event, the Owners' Dinner.

“I am particularly pleased to be here at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta in Porto Cervo for the Southern Wind Rendezvous with the newest boat from the shipyard, of which I was already a client” explained Carlo Pirzio Biroli, owner of the SW96 Liberty. “This event offers friendly competition and great fun on the water combined with unique social events, a style I totally embrace.”

The Owners’ Dinner will take place tonight at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, where guests will enjoy a menu devised by Michelin-starred chef Massimo Tringali of the Emporio Armani Restaurant in Paris, and realised in collaboration with YCCS resident chef Alessio Savona and Michelin-starred chef Francesco Stara of Fradis Minoris, also awarded a Michelin Green Star for his commitment to sustainability.

Tomorrow, 6th June, the scheduled start time for racing is 11.30 am, with very light easterly breezes forecast.