Yacht Club Costa Smeralda forced to cancel May and June regattas

YCCS Clubhouse © Carlo Borlenghi

Due to the implications of the global coronavirus (Covid-19) emergency, which currently sees Italy seriously affected, the regattas organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda scheduled for the months of May and June have been cancelled.

The decision taken by the YCCS, together with all the partners and classes, is due to the impossibility of organising events involving a large number of participants from all over the world in a situation that is highly uncertain and constantly changing. The YCCS is carefully following the various directives at international, national and regional levels in order to adapt its activities to the regulations and safeguard everyone involved.

The Vela & Golf Trophy (15 - 17 May) and the Trofeo Challenge Boeris (23 May) have been cancelled. The main event scheduled for June, the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, one of the principal regattas on the Mediterranean calendar which was due to see approximately 600 people including owners, sailors, media and guests participating in Porto Cervo from 2 to 6 June, has also been cancelled. The possibility of holding the Audi 52 Super Series Porto Cervo & TP52 20th Anniversary Invitational at a later date is being studied, while the YCCS Global Team Racing Regatta (24-27 June) has been cancelled.

Events due to take place in September, such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (30 August - 5 September), the Rolex Swan Cup (6 - 13 September), the Perini Navi Cup (16 - 19 September) and the Sailing Champions League (24 - 27 September) currently remain scheduled.

The YCCS is currently scheduled to open for the summer season on 21 May, however this may be subject to change. In light of this late opening, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is verifying the feasibility of extending its seasonal opening into the month of October, in order to recuperate the period of forced closure due to the emergency situation.

The Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Riccardo Bonadeo commented: "The global Covid-19 crisis, characterised by uncertainty, has forced us, sadly, to cancel our events in May and June. At the YCCS we are doing everything possible to take responsible decisions that protect the safety and health of event participants as well as our members, partners and staff. We are also working to find solutions and initiatives that will have positive effects both for our association and the region, such as extending the seasonal opening. Now more than ever the sport of sailing reminds us how important it is to cultivate the values of solidarity and patience. The hope is that through these, as one crew on the same boat facing into a storm, we can all deal with the difficult situation we are experiencing with the right spirit."

Information on any developments regarding the activities of the YCCS in relation to the Covid-19 crisis will be published in the dedicated section of the website: www.yccs.it/en/news_coronavirus_pag1.html

Area surrounding the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda - photo © YCCS / BIM