The Boat International Superyacht Regatta came to an end last week after a spectacular four days of racing and socialising. So successful has the week been that the race organisers, YCCS and Boat International Media, have confirmed that this will be an annual event. Stay tuned for the announcement of the new dates for 2009.
Thursday’s Prizegiving:
As a hot day slowly became a warm evening, the owners and crews, fresh from the final day of sailing in the Boat International Superyacht Regatta, gathered in the Piazza Azzurra for the final prizegiving ceremony. With Heineken providing complementary cold beer, a gentle breeze helped take the edge off the heat of the early evening. It was not only the weather that has been scorching – the competition on the water in both the cruising and performance divisions has proven to the both close, and fun.
Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo took home a number of trophies, and as the sun began its descent Crichton was enthusiastic on stage. ‘It’s been a pleasure to sail with you all,’ he said. ‘It has been such a fun event. Let’s make sure we’re all back here next year.’
Edoardo Recchi from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda presided over the prizegiving, the first trophy of the evening going to Neville Crichton and Alfa Romeo for the best line honours result – three bullets out of three in the performance division. Tony Harris, CEO of Boat International Media, was on hand to present the second of the awards, giving Johan Van Den Bruele the Spirit of the Regatta award to classic yacht Lulworth.
International Maxi Association president Claus Peter Offen presented Neville Crichton the prize for the best-scored IMA yacht – Alfa Romeo.
The prizes for the Southern Wind Trophy were presented by Willi Persico, third place going to Antonio Figuereido’s Fado, second going to Willi Persico himself with Acaia Cube, and the winner’s silver plate going to Claudio de Eccher who has turned in a series of impressive performances throughout the week on his Southern Wind Southern Star.
Mrs Roberta Burlacchini, from Audi Italia, was on hand to pass out the three Audi Race Day prizes, awarded to the best-placed yachts on Monday 23 June. Lindsay Owen Jones took third with Magic Carpet 2, Claus Peter Offen’s Y3K came in second, and Neville Crichton added to his haul for the week with another first.
In the cruising division, Salperton capped a consistent week, winning a Latitude Kinsale 3D chart for finishing third overall, while Willi Persico’s Acaia Cube took one of the magnificent Azure Dragon trophies in second place. Winner of the cruising division was Claudio de Eccher’s Southern Wind Southern Star, Marco Paleari from Rolex presenting Claudio with both a Linley anniversary fruit bowl and a watch from Rolex’s classic range.
In the performance division, Lindsay Owen Jones’s Magic Carpet 2 took third, Claus Peter Offen’s Y3K landed a solid second place, and Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo added the Linley Anninversary fruit bowl to his rapidly expanding trophy collection, along with the Rolex, for completing the clean sweep with Alfa Romeo.
The final award of the evening – the coveted Boat International Silver Jubilee perpetual trophy, commissioned from Garrard – was awarded to the yacht with the best corrected speed over the whole event. Perhaps it was no surprise that Neville Crichton was left to lift the trophy after a magnificent week of sailing with Alfa Romeo.
The prizes were awarded as follows:
Best line honours Alfa Romeo / Neville Crichton, Prize: Latitude Kinsale Chart
Spirit of the Regatta Lulworth / Johan Ven Den Breule – Latitude Kinsale Chart
IMA first Alfa Romeo / Neville Crichton
Southern Wind Cup
3rd Fado / Antonio Figuereido
2nd Acaia Cube / Willi Persico
1st Southern Star / Claudio de Eccher
Audi Race Day
3rd Margic Carpet 2 / Lindsay Owen Jones – Audi trophy
2nd Y3K / Claus Peter Offen – Audi Trophy
1st Alfa Romeo / Neville Crichton – Audi Trophy
Overall Cruising
3rd Salpteron / Ed Dubois – Latitude Kinsale Chart
2nd Acaia Cube / Willi Persico – John Mellow Azure Dragon Trophy
1st Southern Star / Claudio de Eccher – Rolex Watch and Linley Rosewood bowls
Overall Performance
3rd Magic Carpet 2 / Lindsay Owen Jones – Latitude Kinsale Chart
2nd Y3K / Claus Peter Offen – John Mellows Azure Dragon Trophy
1st Alfa Romeo / Neville Crichton – Rolex watch and Linley Rosewood Bowls
Boat International Silver Jubilee Trophy
Alfa Romeo / Neville Crichton
Reported by Tim Thomas
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