Grand Soleil Cup in Porto Cervo: sails, smiles and Mistral

The Grand Soleil Cup, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with Cantiere del Pardo, drew to an end today with the strong Mistral winds blowing in Porto Cervo putting a stop to the sailing scheduled for the 22nd edition of the event.

Yesterday, the first day on which the fleet of almost 40 participating yachts should have sailed in company around the La Maddalena archipelago, the Sail in Company Committee, after monitoring the conditions at sea and verifying the increasing wind intensity – more than 28 knots and reaching points of 35 - cancelled sailing at 11 a.m.

Although the programme on the water was hampered by the weather conditions, participants were able to gather last night at the YCCS for the Gala Dinner on the Club's panoramic terrace. One of the most eagerly awaited social moments of the weekend saw a pleasant evening spent in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

This morning at the 9.30 a.m. briefing in Piazza Azzurra, the Sail in Company Committee informed participants that they would be going out on the water to monitor the weather conditions. The intention was to run a short coastal course, sheltered from the Mistral, which would see the fleet head towards the islands of Mortorio and Soffi, leaving them to port and sailing up to the finish line positioned in front of the islets of Li Nibani. At 10.15 a.m. the fleet was instructed to report to the starting line, about 2 miles off the entrance to Porto Cervo, in view of a possible warning signal at 11.30. Unfortunately the weather conditions at sea proved to be worsening, and the Sail in Company Committee made the decision to send the fleet back to the docks.

“The weather conditions, with Mistral winds averaging 28 to 30 knots and strong gusts, prevented the sail in company from taking place. In these situations, the primary consideration is the safety of the participants, and the right decision was not to sail. We hope that all the participants enjoyed good times ashore and at our clubhouse.” commented Edoardo Recchi, Secretary General and Sports Director of the YCCS.

This afternoon the participants gathered in Piazza Azzurra for final goodbyes and the presentation of special prizes. The Grand Soleil 34, Why Not, owned by Matteo Stella was given the Arsenal Trophy, for the yacht with the most years of sailing under its belt; the Grand Soleil 72 Shanti, owned by Flavio Piccolomini, was awarded the Alba Trophy, dedicated to the most recently launched yacht; the Latitude Trophy, for the boat that had travelled from farthest away, was presented to the Grand Soleil 44 Athirat, owned by Ugo Loeser; the Grand Soleil 46 Le Vent Perdu, owned by Sonia Capobianco and Bianca Maria Terracciano, received the Rosa dei Venti Trophy, for the highest number of female crew members. 

The next sporting event at the YCCS will be the Invitational Smeralda 888, scheduled from 28 to 30 June.