The big boats are back in Portofino, with the Ligurian village – cradle of sailors, fishermen and great sailors – natural backdrop of events destined to leave a mark in the hearts of the participants. Thus the Spring Regattas – Portofino are back, with a new meaningful wording: Splendido Mare Cup, an explicit link with the Splendido Mare hotel of the Belmond group, the iconic structure overlooking the square in Portofino that reopens after a complete renovation that lasted two years . This will be a unique and special occasion to celebrate the rebirth of the village and the life of the people who make Portofino such a unique and legendary destination.
‘In 1980 in Portofino, in May, the first edition of the IOR Spring Regattas – Zegna Trophy took place in collaboration with the Municipality of Portofino. 60 yachts of the IOR classes and 9 of the J24 ‘class participated. With these few, but emblematic lines, the yearbook of the Italian Yacht Club recalls the birth of a Trophy that over time has become the unmissable appointment at the beginning of the Mediterranean sailing season.
“For too long, the big sail was missing in Portofino – so the Mayor of Portofino Matteo Viacava – especially for a country like ours, so deeply linked to the sea. I myself come from a family of shipwrights and boats are a fundamental element of my life; a job, a family tradition and a passion. For me, as for all the people of Portofino, it will be a real joy to see the town and its sea, privileged guests and protagonists of the Spring Regattas ”.
In 2021, therefore, the sailing-Portofino duo returns, thanks to the collaboration between the Italian Yacht Club, the Municipality of Portofino, the International Maxi Association and the Belmond Group as title partner; flanked by the main world superyacht shipyards such as Wally, Southern Wind Shipyard, Nautor’s Swan and Mylius Yachts, together to give life to four days of splendid regattas at sea and to celebrate the ancient bond between the village and the sport of sailing.
“Returning to racing in Portofino – comments the President of the Italian Yacht Club Gerolamo Bianchi – to which we are united by an ancient bond, is a great satisfaction. Here for 23 years we have been organizing the Bombola d’Oro Trophy for Dinghy 12, for many years we had ‘the Zegna’, the Pirelli regattas, the Portofino Rolex Trophy and many other ‘regattas of rank’, but the first launched since then Regio YCI dates back to 1890 and it is since 1965 that the Club has its summer headquarters on Molo Umberto I. Portofino is, moreover, a perfect natural setting for hosting sporting events, as well as an unpredictable and very technical regatta course, especially at this time of year. A heartfelt thanks, therefore, to the will and the active participation of all the actors involved for being able to organize such an important event,
Belmond and Portofino
Portofino is the cradle of two legendary properties for Belmond, full expression of his art of travel. Two unique places that have celebrated its style and relaunched its charm in the world: the Splendido Mare, the refined inn in the heart of the square, which will be shown on April 16, and the Splendido located on the hill of Portofino with an incomparable view of the Bay.
The program
The Spring Regattas – Splendido Mare Cup will officially begin on Wednesday 28 April with the arrival of the boats and the registration procedures. The boats will be moored at the Marina di Portofino subject to availability, then at the Port of Santa Margherita Ligure and at anchor in the beautiful surrounding bays. The action at sea begins on Thursday 29 April with the start of the first regatta and will end on Sunday 2 May with the last race and the award ceremony.
The regattas
The Trophy is dedicated to yachts over 18 meters in length and participation is reserved for boats built by Wally, Southern Wind Shipyard, Nautor’s Swan and Mylius Yachts. Authentic icons of the world of yachting with offices in Italy, Finland, South Africa and Monaco, but all characterized by an Italian DNA. Participants will be divided into two groups: racer and cruiser-racer and will be engaged on different courses in the Gulf of Tigullio: fast regattas on the buoys for the former and coastal trials for the latter. In addition to the hulls of these yards, shipowners who are members of the International Maxi Association and the YCI will also be admitted.
