Entry list grows for transatlantic superyacht & maxi yacht regatta

Nine sailing giants will assemble in Tenerife in less than one month’s time for the start of the 2011 Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta - Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup. The regatta is scheduled to leave Santa Cruz in Tenerife (Spain) on 21^st November destined for Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands) and the new winter base of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS). The event, organized by the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the YCCS with the collaboration of Real Club Nautico de Tenerife, will see participating yachts cover approximately 2700 nautical miles and encounter varied wind and sea conditions.

A wide range of maxi yachts will be competing in the 2011 Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta - Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup: the largest boats in the fleet are the newly launched 66 metre Dykstra-designed ketch Hetairos on her first regatta outing; the 54.35 metre Shenandoah of Sark, a legendary yacht launched in 1902, and Zefira, owned by Italian Salvatore Trifirò. The fleet also includes the 35 metre Sojana, owned by Peter Harrison, skippered by Marc Fitzgerald and winner of last year’s edition of the Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup, and Tobias Koenig’ Grey Goose of Rorc, a Swan 82. Andrea Recordati’s Indio and Kenora will represent both Italy and the Wally class. The “smallest” in the fleet are the 18.20 metre Swan 60 Emma, owned by Johann Killinger and the 20.2 metre Karuba V. After leaving Tenerife the participating yachts will be looking to pick up on the northeast trade winds between approximately 30° latitude and the equator which generally blow at a steady 11 to 15 knots. As the maxis near Virgin Gorda and the finish line the more gentle Alizé Caribbean trade wind will kick in and crews can expect to be accompanied by 10 to 12 knots of north easterly winds.

The regatta is perfectly timed to tie in with the traditional transfers from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean for the winter season and will have participants arriving on the other side of the Atlantic as the superyacht racing season kicks off there. Many of the participating yachts also plan to participate in the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous organized by the YCCS and Boat International Media in Virgin Gorda in March 2012.

Trophies will be awarded at the prize giving ceremony scheduled to take place on 8^th December where participants will enjoy a special sneak preview of the services and hospitality of the newly opened YCCS Clubhouse. The YCCS Virgin Gorda Clubhouse will be officially inaugurated on 3^rd January 2012 while the purpose built YCCS Marina has been operational since March 2011.

A satellite tracking system accessible online will keep fans and supporters up to date on each yacht’s progress for the duration of the race.For further information please visit www.yccs.com, www.yccsmarina.com or www.internationalmaxiassociation.com.