Porto Cervo, 23rd June 2010. The sleek sailing superyachts that graced the quays of Porto Cervo Marina for the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta last week have given way to pared-down Farr 40 and Melges 32 one design racing machines. >From 25th June to 3rd July the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) will organize three regattas for the fleets: the Audi Invitational Melges 32, a leg of the Farr 40 European Circuit and the Audi Sardinia Cup – ISAF Offshore Team World Championship. Racing is scheduled to begin on Friday 25th June with organizers the YCCS running the first two events simultaneously while the Audi Sardinia Cup commences on 28th June.
Audi Invitational Melges 32 (25th – 27th June). The event in Porto Cervo is the fourth of the European season for the Melges 32 class as well as the third and penultimate leg of the Audi Melges 32 Sailing series 2010. Following regattas in Lerici, Scarlino and Cagliari, 16 teams are ready to do battle on the waters off Porto Cervo over three days of windward leeward racing. Among those to watch will be Carlo Alberini with his Calvi Network, winner of the Audi Saiing Series 2009. The Audi Invitational event is known for combining competition and entertainment and on one of the race days each team will be joined aboard by a celebrity guest in a one-off, out of circuit race for the Audi Invitational Trophy. Several of the competing crews will remain in Porto Cervo to take part in the ISAF Offshore Team World Championship.
Farr 40 European Circuit (25th – 27th June). With previous World (2003, 2009) and European (2002, 2007) Championships organized by the YCCS, many of the owners and sailors of the Farr 40 fleet are quite familiar with the challenging regatta course off Porto Cervo. This first leg of the European Circuit 2010 will be another chance to compete against champions such as current World title holder Nerone, owned by Massimo Mezzaroma, and 2009 World champion Jim Richardson with his Barking Mad. Like the Melges 32s, the majority of the Farr 40 fleet will also remain in Porto Cervo to compete in the Audi Sardinia Cup.
Audi Sardinia Cup – ISAF Offshore Team World Championship (28th June – 3rd July). Each team will be made up of a Farr 40 and a Melges 32 boat. Eight teams representing Germany, Italy (two teams), Malta, Monaco, Switzerland , United Kingdom and United States will vie for the coveted Sardinia Cup Challenge Trophy. Competition promises to be fierce with owner-drivers aboard and a host of world-class yachtsmen such as New Zealanders Ray Davies and Hamish Pepper as well as Italy’s Francesco Bruni and Vasco Vascotto participating.