Today was entirely dedicated to competitor registrations and briefings for chief stewards and skippers. In the evening, the traditional Welcome Cocktail on the terrace of the YCCS marked the official start of the event, which combines sporting competition with glamourous social happenings.

The warning signal for the first start is scheduled for tomorrow at 11.30 a.m. on the waters off Porto Cervo, with individual staggered starts for the entire fleet. The weather conditions look very light for tomorrow, but with more breeze due to move in during the week. Each of the yachts enrolled is a masterpiece of nautical engineering: from the four Wally yachts taking part, including Magic Carpet 3 and Open Season owned by YCCS members Sir Lindsay Owen Jones and Thomas Bscher, to the SW-RP90 All Smoke, the first custom-built Southern Wind making its regatta debut here, to the Swan 115 Shamanna and the Perini 164 Silencio, measuring approximately 50 metres in length.

The crews are almost entirely made up of professional sailors, including important names such as Francesco De Angelis, skipper of Luna Rossa in the America's Cup from 2000 to 2007, on this occasion helming the 33-metre Ribelle, owned by YCCS members Paola and Salvatore Trifirò.

The Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy, now in its 14th edition, will be held within the regatta. Eight of the yachts on the dock hail from the Cape Town shipyard founded by Willy Persico, with a trophy being dedicated to his memory in this edition. In particular the Southern Wind 82 Ammonite will conclude its round-the-world trip with the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta. Owner Marcus Blackmore commented: "I really can't wait to race here, I have put together a crew of real talents, many of whom already sail on my TP52 in Australia. After winning the Millennium Cup 2018 in New Zealand, Ammonite did no further racing as she cruised between the Pacific and the Caribbean, places I love, but the Mediterranean is the place to have fun, both when racing and ashore!"

In addition to the social events ashore, the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta is characterised by a particular focus on respect for and protection of the marine and coastal environment. As with all the regattas organised by the YCCS, crews will have a chilled water distributor available to fill their drinking containers. Among the various activities, the YCCS Clean Beach Day, scheduled for World Oceans Day on 8 June, will be of special relevance. For more information click here.

Riccardo Bonadeo, YCCS Commodore declared: "The 12th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta sees 20 boats lined up on the quays of Porto Cervo, proving that the Costa Smeralda is the location of choice for owners who want to race and sail. I thank everyone present, I am sure you will have a week of challenges on the water followed by great social events when you return to shore. A special thought must go to our partner and great friend, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, who is present here, despite the now sadly infamous incident that resulted in the loss of his beloved My Song. We are confident that we he will return as a participant aboard an even more beautiful and innovative new yacht."

Events such as the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta have an important economic impact both on the marine industry and the region in which they take place, with this specific event involving more than 800 people in various capacities including owners, guests, crews and services connected with the regatta.

Follow racing every day in real time via the tracking system online.

For further information, entry lists, technical documents, programme visit the YCCS website or contact the Press Office.

For updates on social media follow the hashtags #yccs #loropianasyr.

Contacts:

YCCS Press Office 

Marialisa Panu/Giuliano Luzzatto

Tel. +39 0789 902223

pressoffice@yccs.it 

www.yccs.com