Two superyacht regattas will be run in the Mediterranean next June, one The Superyacht Cup to be staged in Palma from 11-14 June and another in Porto Cervo to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the luxury yacht magazine Boat International. Dates for that event are 23-26 June. Yachting World is planning to present a special trophy for the winner of the performance divisions of the combined events.

The Superyacht Cup which attracted 52 yachts to Palma last June was forced to move its original dates when the Porto Cervo regatta, sponsored by Rolex and organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, was announced.

With only a day or so between the two, the organisers got together at the Monaco Yacht Show to find a way of separating the dates so that yachts could, if they wished, take part in both. To encourage participation in both, The Superyacht Cup and the YCCS event will form a series under IRC in which yachts can race for trophies in various divisions including performance and cruising.

The Porto Cervo regatta has also attracted the Dubois Cup which will run in conjunction with the Rolex Boat International Superyacht Regatta and there are hopes that Wally, Royal Huisman and Perni Navi will also become involved.

On the other side of the world plans are well advanced for the Hamilton Island Superyacht Regatta which the organisers will run in late August a week after the Audi sponsored Hamilton Island Race Week.

Hamilton Island, owned by Wild Oats owner Bob Oatley, is being completely redeveloped with a new Great Barrier Reef Yacht Club HQ and luxury property development which will include an 18-hole golf course on neighbouring Dent Island, also owned by Oatley.
Check out www.superyachthamiltonisland.com.au and www.thesuperyachtcup.com