Porto Cervo, Italy: After three days of racing, the seventh edition of the Perini Navi Cup drew to a close today with the 50-metre Silencio winning the Cruiser Racer division, while The Maltese Falcon triumphed in the Corinthians Spirit yachts division.
The event, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, gathered 21 yachts from the Perini Navi fleet in Porto Cervo. On the final day, the fleet faced a coastal course of approximately 14 miles, accompanied initially by a breeze of 12 – 14 knots from the west.
The Perini boats headed south to circumnavigate the islands of Mortorio and Soffi before returning north to a buoy off the coast of Porto Cervo and the finish line of a course that was shortened due to strengthening winds, reaching speeds of 27 knots.
Seahawk, the last boat to start in the Cruiser Racer division under the staggered start formula (individual departures every 3 minutes), immediately accelerated today. She left her rivals behind after rounding Soffi, and crossed the finish line with 20 minutes to her nearest opponent.
Despite this excellent performance, Seahawk placed second overall, while consistency was rewarded for the 50 metre Silencio – second in today's race. With two wins out of three races, she was the overall winner in the Cruiser Racer class.
Third place of the day and third place in the overall classification went to the 43-metre Victoria A.
In the Corinthians Spirit class The Maltese Falcon, the 88-metre flagship of the fleet, took pole position in the overall standings with three wins out of three. She finished seven points ahead of Tamsen, in fifth place today, but second overall.
The battle was for second place of the day: Blush managed to outdistance Spirit of C's to finish second, but didn't manage to claim a podium place as Spirit of C's went on to take third place overall.
YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo declared, “This has been a unique edition. The characteristic Costa Smeralda conditions allowed us to complete the full racing schedule with three consecutive days of competition, allowing the Perini Navi yachts to perform at their best.
“I would like to thank our friends Lamberto Tacoli and Edoardo Tabacchi for this collaboration which has allowed us, in all seven editions, including this one, to organise a highly successful event. It was the perfect blend of spectacle on the water and ashore.
“Thanks to the owners and all the sailors who gathered in Porto Cervo over the past few days and thank you to the International Jury, the Race Committee and the staff for their essential and invaluable work.”
Lamberto Tacoli, President and CEO of Perini Navi, commented: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in this edition of the Perini Navi Cup – owners, captains, crews, partners and friends.”
On their return to the docks owners, crews and guests took part in the prize giving ceremony in the Piazza Azzurra and went on to attend a grand gala evening at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, celebrating the great Perini Navi family with music, artists and fireworks.
The next sporting event for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda will be the final of the Audi Italian Sailing League from 27 to 30 September.
All information and results: http://www.yccsfiles.com/results/perini18
