Video: No wind in Porto Cervo halts day 2 of Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2018

By Rebecca Bradbury 8 June 2018

Unusually wet and windless weather in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, yesterday put a stop to racing for the second day in a row at the 11^th edition of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta.

The AP flag was flying ashore over the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 9.30am yesterday, signalling racing was to be postponed. Some forecasts predicted a mistral wind would arrive in the afternoon, which would have allowed the first race of the event to run, but this was not to be.

Indeed, the AP flag was lowered with the intention of giving the warning signal at 4pm. However, after a long wait and the race committee’s best efforts to get the yachts off the starting line at 4.30pm, principal race officer Peter Craig was forced to give in and send the fleet back to the docks for the day.

yacht on day 2 of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in Porto Cervo

Racing was also unable to take place on day one of this year's Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta due to the lack of wind.

Commenting on the situation, Francesco Mongelli, navigator aboard Baltic Yachts’ 40m/130ft sailing yacht ‘My Song’, said: ‘In these first two days we had a very confused situation that was complicated to predict.

‘Some forecasting models which I use, together with my own personal experience, provided some bits of correct information, but in reality, the wind came in two hours later than predicted, too late to get racing started. But we can’t control the wind, that’s part of the beauty of sailing.’

But we can’t control the wind, that’s part of the beauty of sailing
Francesco Mongelli, Navigator, Sailing yacht 'My Song'

Forecasts indicate that today and tomorrow, the final two days of the competition, will bring consistent mistral winds, enabling the magnificent yachts to take to the regatta course. If the weather allows, two races will be completed today.

The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta takes place off the Costa Smeralda coastline, famed for its glittering turquoise waters and gorgeous sandy beaches, and home to Porto Cervo, where the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is based.

Throughout the summer months, this area of Sardinia is a hub of superyachts and presents a variety of opportunities for travellers undertaking a Mediterranean yacht charter in the region.