The journey from the Mediterranean to the Solent was obviously too far for some yacht owners who originally wanted to take part in the first Superyacht Cup in English waters. Of the 17 super yachts that were on the provisional entry list two months before the start of the event, just eleven dropped anchor in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron. This legendary and elite yacht club hosted an event that benefited from an unusually stable area of high pressure over southern England. This provided 15 hours of sunshine a day, but not spectacular sailing action on the race courses. These were set by the experienced race officers so that the fleet could reach the turning mark with the current and then, as soon as the tide turned, sail with the current again towards Cowes.
A calculation that didn't quite work out, at least on the first day of the regatta. The entire fleet sailed, or rather drifted, across the finish line in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron and towards Nab Tower and the tacking mark at shortly after 10 a.m. in a light 6 knots of true wind with a kangaroo start. Which the majority of the fleet did not reach. Only "Unfurled", "Leopard III", "Hamilton" and "Athos" made it to the finish line after several hours of intensive sailing and many sail changes.
You can read the full article in BOOTE EXCLUSIV issue 5/12, available from 5 September.
