Porto Cervo, Italy. 04 September 2015. The majestic fleet of Perini Navi superyachts gathered in Porto Cervo took to the waters of the Costa Smeralda once again this morning for Race 2 of the Italian shipyard’s biennial regatta and “family gathering”.
Racing in the event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, will conclude tomorrow, Saturday 5th September.
With two coastal races now completed, the 56 metre ketch Rosehearty, guided around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago by legendary tactician Paul Cayard, leads the overall classification with two bullets under her belt.
Today the fleet had to contend with a lighter breeze than the forecast 15 knots of westerly. Following a starting sequence which saw the air growing steadily softer, the yachts found better conditions after rounding the top corner of the La Maddalena island. With the breeze dying out towards the finish line however, the Race Committee was forced to shorten the course and set the finish line south-west of the island of Santo Stefano.
In a repeat performance of yesterday’s performance Rosehearty was followed today by the sloop Clan VIII in second and the giant of the fleet, the 88-metre The Maltese Falcon in third. All three yachts therefore maintain the same respective positions in the overall classification.
On their return to the docks owners and their guests took part in the Marchesi Antinori Cocktail Contest on board the yachts while crews prepared for a cocktail party hosted at Bar Aqua, overlooking the Marina.
Racing is scheduled to continue tomorrow, Saturday 5th September with the fleet due on the starting line at 10 a.m. The first warning signal has been moved forward by one hour in order to increase the chances of completing another coastal race before the 10-14 knots of breeze predicted for the morning increases to the 25 knots and above forecast for the early afternoon.
At the conclusion of tomorrow’s racing awards will be presented at the prize giving ceremony in Piazza Azzurra followed by a closing gala dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse.
