The 2014 edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta has taken place in the breath-taking emerald waters of popular Sardinia yacht charter location – Costa Smeralda last week for four days of thrilling racing. A fleet of twenty-one sailing superyachts met at the world-famous Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, hosted by Boat International Media in partnership with the YCCS.

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda played host to a selection of the world's finest sailing superyachts Carlo Borlenghi | Borlenghi Studio

The region provided a challenging and exciting regatta with ever changing winds gusting through the tiny isolotti distinctive of the area.

Crews were met with near perfect conditions on Day One with glorious blue skies and a northwesterly breeze that built to 22 knots. Yachts Firefly, Moonbird and Grande Orazio rose to the challenge making their intentions clear from the outset and marking an explosive start to their regatta campaign. Two weather systems battled for supremacy on Day Two, a new wind from the southeast and slightly lighter conditions on Day Three and race postponement due to light winds on Day Four meant the event concluded with class winners decided by the final race; a dramatic day on the water.

The fleet compressed as they rounded the islands of La Maddalena which made for exciting racing Carlo Borlenghi | Borlenghi Studio

The final cumulative standings gave the Class A win to Firefly yacht after an unbeatable performance – a dominant four wins in four. Her outstanding 1-1-1-1 scoreline earned her the overall prize – the Boat International Silver Jubilee Cup – which was presented by Pier Luigi Loro Piana and Boat International Media CEO Tony Harris.

A similarly dominant performance from Grande Orazio superyacht gave her overall victory in Class C, along with the XII SWS Trophy open to the six competing Southern Wind Shipyard yachts.

A particularly tight battle had developed in Class B as the yachts Moonbird, Unfurled yacht and Cape Arrow superyacht had just one point between them. It was Unfurled’s solid race on the final day that secured her Class win over Moonbird, who had been an overriding favourite early in the regatta.

Sailing yacht Firefly took the overall regatta title with an impressive 1-1-1-1 scoreline Jeff Brown | Superyacht Media

In addition to racing, superyacht owners along with their guests and crew enjoyed an elegant social programme befitting of glamorous Porto Cervo.

After registration attendees came together to open the event in style at a Welcome Cocktail hosted in the prestigious YCCS clubhouse. Guests reconvened at the YCCS for an exquisite dinner hosted by Loro Piana to round-up Day One. Here, owners were met with a delectable tasting menu designed by 3* Michelin Chef, Massimo Bottura, the chef patron of world-leading Osteria Francescana based in Mordena.

Loro Piana, renowned for bringing world-class entertainment to their dinners, did not disappoint featuring an exceptional performance from Eleonora Abbagnato, Prima Ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Massimo Bottura delighted owners with his creative menu. The audience was entertained by the Paris Opera Ballet Carlo Borlenghi | Borlenghi Studio

Race day two was followed by an exclusive cocktail reception hosted by Embraer Executive Jets and a characteristically Sardinian Pizza Party, which took place in the piazza. The laid-back Italian feast sponsored by Sardinia Yacht Services and DHL Express Italy was a fun-filled evening shared by all.

Chic Phi Beach played host to guests on the evening of Day Three where event participants came together to dance under the stars on the island’s pure white sands. Meanwhile, yacht owners and their crews celebrated the action on the water each day with after race drinks courtesy of the event’s silver sponsor, Pantaenius Yacht Insurance. The festivities continued after the fourth and final day of racing as owners along with their elite race crews gathered in Porto Cervo’s Piazza Azzurra to commemorate victories of the regatta.

The fleet came together in the Piazza Azzura to celebrate a successful week on the water Carlo Borlenghi | Borlenghi Studio

Boat International Media and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda would like to thank our sponsors for helping to make the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2014 a successful and enjoyable event in Sardinia. Special thanks go to Title Sponsor Loro Piana and Gold Sponsor Embraer Executive Jets as well as Silver Sponsors Pantaenius Yacht Insurance and Southern Wind Shipyard and Contributing Sponsors Quadrivio SGR, Sardinia Yacht Services and DHL Express Italy.

We look forward to welcoming owners and their crews to the regatta in the coming years - dates announced below Jeff Brown | Superyacht Media

We are delighted to announce regatta dates for the next three years; from 2 to 6 June 2015, from 7 to 11 June 2016 and from 6 to 10 June 2017.