Alfa Romeo and Southern Star Continue to Dominate

All around the Costa Smeralda coastline there were some classic battles, especially in the Cruising Division where some yachts that normally sail with grace and caution were seen hurtling round the corners with sheets flying and crews working their socks off. No battle was harder fought than between Johan van den Bruele’s 1920 gaff cutter Lulworth and the modern schooner Borkumriff IV sailed by Marco Pecorella. These two crossed and recrossed time after time until Borkumriff just crept over the finish line ahead in a dying breeze thanks to excellent sail handling. Afterwards the crew raised ‘three cheers’ to each other in the classic show of good manners.

Southern Star, Claudio de Eccher’s SW78 was again the winner of the Cruising Division, ahead of Charles Dunstone in Hamilton II. Salperton has made her mark as the fastest of the big boats, finishing well ahead of both Kokomo and Pink Gin.

There was no challenge to Neville Chrichton’s Alfa Romeo in the Performance Division asshe is easily the fastest and most race-tuned entry here. Of the three Wallys sailing, Lindsay Owen Jones’ Magic Carpet lies second on points ahead of Claus-Peter Offen in Y3K and Irvine Laidlaw in Highland Fling.

Win or lose, everyone had huge smiles by the end of the day and it seems certain that the Superyacht Regatta will become a regular fixture at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

DAY 1, RACE RESULTS
Crusing Division
1st = Southern Star
2nd = Acaia Cube
3rd = Hamilton ll

Performace Division
1st = Alfa Romeo
2nd = Y3K
3rd = Magic Carpet 2