An Action Packed September at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Following the offshore Palermo - Porto Cervo - Montecarlo race and the Trofeo Formenton in Porto Rafael, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) is getting ready for a busy sporting calendar in September. 

On 31 August activities kick off with an evening with the diver Davide Carrera, organised by the Consorzio Costa Smeralda and the One Ocean Foundation. Davide is a world record holder in freediving and an Ambassador for the One Ocean Foundation which works to raise awareness of issues affecting the marine environment.

During the evening, Davide will talk about his relationship with the sea and the problems of marine pollution illustrated with his films and photography which will be on display at the YCCS Sailing School in Piazza Azzurra. The event is open to all and will be held at Porto Cervo's Waterfront Costa Smeralda at 7.30pm.

The month of September is also brimming with regattas, including two classic events, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & the Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship (2-8 September) and the biennial Rolex Swan Cup (9-16 September).

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship, organised with the International Maxi Association (IMA), will host 43 boats above 18.3 metres, divided into different classes according to their technical characteristics and performance. The fleet will range from the majestic J-Class yachts used in the America's Cups in the 1930s, to state-of-the-art racers in the Maxi 72 class. You'll also catch a glimpse of the Baltic 130' My Song, owned by Pier Luigi Loro Piana, and a fleet of ultra-modern Wally Yachts, including Tango due to debut in Porto Cervo in the Wallycento class. 

While the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is underway, YCCS will also be at the Venice Film Festival on 4 September to present the Film Unit of the One Ocean Foundation.

Protecting the Coastal Environment

On 9 and 10 September the focus will turn to environmental sustainability, in collaboration with Arzachena town council. On Sunday 9 September, during his circumnavigation of Italy, Mauro Pelaschier, the former helmsman of Azzurra in the America's Cup, also an Ambassador for the One Ocean Foundation, is due to arrive during onboard the wooden sailboat Crivizza to be greeted by boats from the local sailing school.

That evening local clubs and authorities will gather to promote the Charta Smeralda ethical code and raise awareness around protection of the coastal environment. The theme will continue the next day during a round table discussion to identify concrete actions and commitments.

Rolex Swan Cup 2016. Photo Credit: Rolex/Borlenghi

Rolex Swan Cup

Concurrently, from 9 to 16 September a fleet of 115 Swan yachts will gather in Porto Cervo to celebrate the 20th edition of the Rolex Swan Cup, organised by the YCCS in partnership with title sponsor Rolex and the Finnish shipyard Nautor's Swan.

The fleet will range from the Swan 36 (1968) designed by Sparkman & Stephens, to the Swan 115, designed by Germán Frers and a fleet of Swan one-design yachts. The Swan 42s will be competing in the European Championship, while the Swan 45s and ClubSwan 50s will compete in their respective classes in the World Championships.

Perini Navi Cup

From 19 to 22 September YCCS will host the Perini Navi Cup with around 20 superyachts from the renowned shipyard in Viareggio taking part. The majority will compete under a staggered start two minutes apart, and the fleet will be divided into two groups, Cruiser Racer and Corinthian Spirit, sailing without spinnakers. 

 
Perini Navi Cup 2015, Porto Cervo. Photo Credit: Perini Navi/Borlenghi

Audi Italian Sailing League Final

From 27 - 30 Septemberhe the YCCS season will conclude with the Audi Italian Sailing League Final, organised with the Italian Sailing League (Lega Italiana Vela) with support from title sponsor Audi. Racing will take place onboard the YCCS J/70 fleet with short, fast races determining the yacht club to be crowned Italian champion.