by Jill Campbell
The Mediterranean superyacht season is set for a thrilling start as the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda gears up to welcome more than 35 goliaths of the sea to the waters of the Costa Smeralda. The impressive fleets will be participating in the Dubois Cup (1-3 June) and the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta (4-8 June). Racing will take place against the stunning backdrop of the La Maddalena archipelago while social events will be centre around the YCCS Clubhouse in Porto Cervo Marina.
The Dubois Cup, held biennially and now in its fourth edition, will see a fleet of 14 sailing yachts and two motor yachts designed by the UK's renowned Dubois Naval Architects gather on the quays of Porto Cervo Marina. Several of the yachts will be spectating while those competing will include defending champion Timoneer, a 44.8-metre ketch, as well as the 30 metre Nostromo which placed second in the 2011 edition. The largest of the Dubois yachts taking to the starting line will be the 51.7 metre Prana, built by Alloy Yachts of New Zealand, while the latest design from the Dubois stable, the 38 metreTwilight - launched earlier this year - will be following racing and soaking up the atmosphere as a spectator.
The spectacle doesn't finish here, however, and the busy YCCS calendar immediately continues with 21 superyachts enrolled in the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. The event, which has been taking place annually since 2008, has fast become a fixture on the Mediterranean racing circuit and this year's participating yachts count an average length of over 34 metres. The fleet represents the cream of international nautical design and construction and hails from some of the world's top shipyards including Fitzroy of New Zealand, Oyster of the UK, Perini Navi of Italy, Royal Huisman of Holland and Southern Wind of South Africa. Some of the most imposing participants include the 45m Salperton, winner of the Caribbean edition of the Loro Piana regatta in March of this year, and the Wally 148 Saudade, also 45 metres in length. The colossus of the fleet is however the award-winning, ultra-modern Zefira at just under 50 metres.
"Following an excellent start to our sailing calendar at our Caribbean base in Virgin Gorda, we are delighted to welcome such a remarkable fleet of superyachts to Porto Cervo." Commented YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo. " It is great to see so many yachts return year after year, as a testament to the quality of our regattas and hospitality, and also to welcome numerous new participants. A special thanks obviously goes to our sponsors and supporters who allow us to remain at the forefront of the international yachting scene."
For full details of the entry lists and racing programmes of both events please visit www.yccs.com.
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