Twenty eight sail and motor superyachts, competing in the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous, running these days (March 14-17) are hosted by the YCCS Virgin Gorda.
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous
The second edition of this event organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International Media has attracted some of the most powerful and iconic sailing yachts on the water for three days of racing, expertly organised by the YCCS Race Committee under the leadership of Principal Race Officer Peter Craig.
Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous 2012 Race Day 1- MARIE
Jim Clark is back to defend his title with the 138’ J-Class sailing yacht Hanuman built by Royal Huisman, competing against Vitters’ 145’ superyacht Lady B and the 115’ fast charter yacht Sojana which return as challengers in 2012.
Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous 2012 Race Day 1: FIREFLY - Photo: © Carlo Borlenghi
Racing alongside Lady B will be four other Dubois designed yachts: the 147’ fast luxury charter yacht Salperton IV, 128’ charter yacht Ganesha and 163’ superyacht Zefira – all built by Fitzroy Yachts – and the 120’ charter yacht Bliss from Yachting Developments.
Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous 2012Race Day 1: LADY B - Photo: © Carlo Borlenghi
Bob Eichler, owner of the 96’ Altair yacht – participating in his first superyacht regatta – is thrilled to be in the BVI for this exclusive event: “It’s absolutely amazing. The YCCS is fabulous and beyond my expectations,” he said. The owners of the Zefira, meanwhile, wished fair winds for all and declared: “May the best man win!”
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous
New entries completing the fleet are the 101’ Wally superyacht Indio, the Philippe Briand designed 125’ charter yacht P2, Huisman’s 114’ Billy Budd, the 179’ Marie superyacht built by Vitters and Classen Shipyard’s 115’ new F-class Firefly yacht.
Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous 2012Race Day 1: ZEFIRA - Photo: © Carlo Borlenghi
As the sailing yachts prepare for three days of racing around the stunning archipelago, an impressive display of motor yachts will be turning out to follow the fleet and enjoy the spectacle of the regatta, as well as enjoying their own social programme alongside the sailing during the day.
The event began in the evening on 15th March with motor and sailing yacht owners coming together at the YCCS clubhouse for welcome cocktails and a BBQ on the lawn, with crew participating in the Mount Gay Cocktail Competition on the dock. Racing begins today at 1100 AST, with the current forecast suggesting a perfect day for racing with winds averaging 15 knots.
