|
|
Article
View
|
|
|
|
|
It is safe to say that Porto Cervo has returned to an air of calm after two weeks of intense activity both on and off the waters of the Costa Smeralda.
Porto Cervo in early September is one of the international yachting rendezvous dates each year. With the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup taking place this year from the 1st-6th September, and with the Rolex Swan Cup following just afterwards from the 8th-14th, Porto Cervo was once again the focus of the international sailing community for two back-to-back weeks of exciting races and glamorous social gatherings.
The two events are unique in stature and reputation in the yachting community. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the most spectacular gatherings of large yachts in the world and the 2008 edition of the regatta saw some 40 participants on Sardinia's North-eastern Emerald Coast. The event attracts a range of the latest state-of-the-art racers, cruisers built for both comfort and speed, and some upholders of traditional style and class. The mix motivates mini rivalries and offers great variety when the boats take to the racecourse. The spectacle is one not to be missed, set against a one of the world's most beautiful settings.
The Rolex Swan Cup is the biennial gathering of Nautor's Swan yachts, often regarded as the Rolls Royce of the sea. With the regatta acting as the World Championship for the Swan 45 class and the season finale for the Swan Maxi class and Club Swan 42, the host club Yacht Club Costa Smeralda welcomed 100 Swans with entries from 16 different nations.
The Costa Smeralda is famed for its breeze, both thermally driven and gradient winds such as the Scirocco and the Mistral. This year though was different, with conditions changing almost daily. The hot, sweltering days at the beginning of the two-week period were forgotten by the end as the weather became cool, rainy and overcast. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup started in light and shifty wind conditions, notable for delayed starts and the complete cancellation of racing on the final day. Participants hoping to improve their standing with one more day of good results had to admit defeat when the preliminary results of September 5th became the final results for September 6th. The four Division winners were Dan Meyers/Ernesto Bertarelli's Numbers (USA) in Mini Maxi, RSV Ltd's Ranger (USA) in Cruising, Lindsay Owen-Jones' Magic Carpet II GBR in Wally and George David's Rambler USA in Racing; each received a Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup trophy and a steel and gold Rolex Yacht-Master Chronometer.
During the Rolex Swan Cup the winds once again refused to play fair and racing was abandoned on two occasions due to the conditions. No wind on one day turned into a gale the next, as winds rocketed up to 40 knots and beyond, only allowing for four total racing days out of the originally planned six. At the end of a difficult week with wind at both ends of the scale, the Rolex Swan Cup overall Division winners were: Roel Pieper's Swan 80 Favonius (BVI) in Swan Maxi, Hendrik Brandis & Christian Nagel's Earlybird (GER) in Swan 45, Enrico Scerni's Kora (ITA) in Club Swan 42 and John Bainbridge's Swan 48 Zen (GBR) in the Classics. Winners each took a share in the Rolex Swan Cup and also received a steel and gold Rolex Submariner Chronometer.
But aside from the racing, these past two weeks in Porto Cervo comprised much more than just the on-the-water activities. Competitors at the regattas were kept busy ashore each evening with activities scheduled throughout the two programmes. The week of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup had a social calendar that brought the Piazza Azzurra outside the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda to life night after night. From daily post-racing refreshments to formal dinners, the week had something for everyone. The invitation-only YCCS dinner held on the clubhouse pool deck was the first of the main events. The following evening saw all participants welcomed to the Piazza Azzurra for the “Fantastic 80s” themed Rolex Crew Party. Buffet tables gave way to dance space as the Piazza was transformed with raised silver and gold platforms so that everyone could have a chance to let loose and strut their stuff on the dance floor.
The social highlight of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is always the Rolex Gala Dinner at the Cala di Volpe resort. This dinner is one of the most glamorous on the Rolex Yachting Calendar, and the exclusive resort makes for an incomparable setting for an evening of entertainment. This year's dinner was complete with a private concert by Patti LaBelle; whose rendition of her international hit “Lady Marmalade” had everyone on their feet clapping for more.
The Rolex Swan Cup also boasts a social programme that would motivate just about anyone to get involved. The week began with an aperitif in the Piazza Azzurra and the crew party was once again a great hit. With over 3,000 attendees, the “Fiesta Latina” themed evening was a smash success featuring a video montage of race footage from the week and live entertainment. Non-racing spouses had a lunch arranged during one of the race days and the highlight of the week for owners and guests was an Owner's Dinner hosted by Rolex at the Colonna Pevero Hotel.
All in all it was a busy two weeks at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and already many of the participants are looking forward to returning to Porto Cervo in 2009 for the annual Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and again in 2010 for the biennial Rolex Swan Cup.
Porto Cervo is known for being one of the best places in world to sail and the yachting world loves this destination. It offers an array of sailing opportunities with its close proximity to the Maddelena archipelago of islands, its good winds and its warmth. Ashore Porto Cervo offers just as much social happenings, bustling restaurants and high-end shopping are just some of the highlights this small corner of Sardinia has to offer.
For an exclusive peek inside the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda take a look at the “Spotlight on Yacht Club Costa Smeralda: The Spirit of Sailing in Design”, which focuses on the architectural elements of the Club and its connections with the sea.
Source Link:regattanews.com
|
|
Already voted! | Topic:
|
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
|
