Here’s how the VELA Cup Costa Smeralda went

After a week of inclement weather, the sun returned to shine on the Gulf of Cugnana, giving the more than 30 competitors of the VELA Cup Costa Smeralda two days of celebration and lots of fun.
At Marina Cala dei Sardi for the occasion there were boats of all sizes and shapes, from the 27-meter Wally 95 of Antonio Bevilacqua to the Hanse 303s of the Yacht Club Cala dei Sardi, including thoroughbred skippers and superstar cabin cruisers. It was an event that was a success, not only on the water, but also on land, with crews rocking out on the Marina’s green lawn as early as Wednesday evening, moved by the 70s/80s pop sound of The Wave, a very young band from Forli.
On Thursday, on the other hand, a very technical regatta, made challenging but at the same time fun by the dancing wind, saw the boats compete in a contest of skill and strategy.

The great festival of SAILING on the Emerald Coast

It seems almost superfluous to mention it, but the setting of the VELA Cup Costa Smeralda is truly unique.
Cala dei Sardi, the most eco-friendly marina in the Mediterranean and the base of NSS Charter, one of the most important charter companies in Italy, is located in the center of the Costa Smeralda, in a sea that the whole world envies us.
Here enchanting beaches and islands surround a gulf that could be described as the home of world yachting.
It was here that some 30 crews, from students of the Yacht Club Cala dei Sardi to professional sailors, took part, as protagonists, in this festive event, in which competition is combined with a passion for sailing and the desire to share the beauty of going to sea.As always, the genuine and relaxed spirit of the VELA Cup was the main protagonist, which also in this Sardinian stage saw boats of all types and crews of the most diverse crews racing side by side.

VELA Cup Costa Smeralda: how it went

On Thursday morning, after a quick briefing ashore around 11:30 a.m., the race committee gave the start in front of Porto Rotondo’s Sassi Beach.
The approximately 10 knots of wind on the line provided a truly spectacular start, with the compact fleet crossing the buoy. Kicking off the race, almost simultaneously on the line, were Gian Battista Borea d’Olmo’s splendid auric cutter Vistona, a 1937 boat that belonged to a retired Royal Navy officer and has been owned by the family for almost 50 years, Roberto Colombo’s Why Not the Mylius 60 and Forrest Gump III the Adria Sail 49 FY by Roberto Tamburelli.

The finish gave not a few surprises, due to the wind that kept blowing.
On several occasions, competitors competed for the finish line by a few seconds’ difference.
In fact, there were those who arrived too low on the line and were then forced to tack and turn back because they were unable to close on the orange finish buoy. Cutting first
first was
Nina the Wally 95 of Antonio Bevilacqua, behind him in second was Why Not the Mylius 60 of Roberto Colombo, and in third, a few seconds behind, the Momi 80 of Nicola Minardi de Michetti and Angelomario Moratti.

All the winners, the best is yet to come

But these are only the first ones in real time, all the rankings and winners will be published soon on our website along with photos of the regatta and the awards ceremony at Marina Cala dei Sardi.
In addition to the class prizes, the first Classic Boat (at least 25 years old) of each homogeneous grouping by length and the most beautiful and elegant boat were awarded.
Inevitable then were the numerous raffle prizes offered by our partner partners Moby, IBSA, Honda, HiNelson, Garmin, Leatherman, ACSI Vela, Veneziani Yachting, Plastimo, YachtIngBond, AMBECO and USAIL.

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Two weeks to the VELA Cup in Porto Rafael – Palau (June 28). Sign up now!

The next stages of the VELA Cup 2024

• September 27/28 – VELA Cup Procida
• October 4/5 – VELA Cup Sicily

Photos by Simon PalfraderJames Barbaro