The tenth edition of Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2017 took place in Sardinia on May 30 – June 3, 2017, opening the yachting season in the Mediterranean.
Organised by the world-renowned Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International Media, this four-day sailing regatta yearly attracts an ever-increasing fleet of motor and sailing yachts ranging over 100 feet.
Racing is set against Sardinia’s spectacular coastline, with four days of breathtaking sailing in a full race programme organised by the experienced YCCS international race committee.
Saudade, the Tripp designed 45-metre Wally 143, won the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta for the second year in a row in the Superyacht Class.
Albert Buell, the owner of the winning yacht, is the popular German skipper who, since winning the Admiral’s Cup in 1973, has raced eight yachts all called Saudade.
On the other hand, Lindsay Owen Jones’ Wallycento Magic Carpet Cubed crew ended a two year winning drought in the Wally Class.
For both Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2017 winning owners and their crews Costa Smeralda has long been a particularly happy hunting ground. Owen Jones and his Magic Carpet team won the Maxi Yacht World Championship here in 2008, 2012 and 2014.
Buell’s Saudade team first won the Sardinia Cup in 1988. Several of Buell’s crew have sailed with him for more than 20 years. Boat Captain Michael Wilson has been with Buell for 17 years and Ib Anderson, the sailmaker, has sailed with the German owner for more than 20 years.
Buell commented: “We have been coming here since 1975. Thirty years ago we sailed smaller boats, it was more crowded. But the satisfaction is always there, especially winning. Today is a special day and every year it is different. Bermuda has affected the number of boats but on the positive side there has been such a nice atmosphere here between the boats.”
