Day three of the Oyster Jubilee Regatta in Porto Cervo showed the sheer power of the Oyster range. The thirty-yacht fleet was fully tuned up, enjoying a top wind speed of twenty knots. It was an incredibly exciting day for the entire fleet, but the highlight was the titanic battle between the two Oyster 82s at the front of the fleet, Starry Night of the Caribbean and Pandemonium.
Sailing along the stunning Costa Smeralda aboard an Oyster 82 is an awe-inspiring experience, especially in good breeze and these outstanding yachts showed immense grace, as they dueled in their quest for line honours and race victory.
Pandemonium owned by Stuart Smith and Barry J Cooper Jr had a three-hour close encounter with Starry Night of the Caribbean, skippered by Philip Scully. There was a full on match race between these two leviathans from the start, right to the finish. It was a powerful display with seldom more than a boat length between these two magnificent Oyster 82s.
Starry Night of the Caribbean got away well but a textbook gennaker hoist by Pandemonium gave them an early advantage. As the breeze built, the two Oyster 82s were an impressive sight, locked in battle, heading for the rugged island of Monaci. On a tight reach, but beautifully balanced, Pandemonium and Starry Night of the Caribbean were inseparable. Huge gusts of wind were emanating from a squall offshore but the two yachts were in perfect control, as they gybed in perfect choreography. The next mark was Seca di Tre Monti, a rock marking the entrance to the staggeringly beautiful Gulf of Arzechena. The two giants continued their duel squeezing through the narrow gap between the mainland and Bisce Island, with time-aged granite outcrops barely feet away, the two yachts were grappling for the lead.
With some excellent boat handling, Starry Night of the Caribbean managed to break the deadlock, taking a slender lead and the gun but Pandemonium beat their rivals on corrected time to win the clash of the titans. After racing, the crews of the two Oyster 82 yachts exchanged good wishes, gentlemen to the last.
Pandemonium was the victor but they had both enjoyed an exhilarating day on the water at the Oyster Jubilee Regatta. After racing, Stuart Smith, co-owner of Pandemonium, was elated about today’s race, as he shook the hand of every crewmember aboard.
“That was a lot of fun today, fantastic racing, Pandemonium needs good breeze to really get going and we got that today. The guys where really up for it today and did a great job, we got a real taste of what Pandemonium is capable of.”
Overall leaders at the conclusion of today’s racing and heading into tomorrow’s final race day are Trevor Silver with his Oyster 655 Roulette in Class One (yachts over 60ft LOA) and Gerde and Annemarie Kohlmoos with their Oyster 54 Sarabande.
Sarabande continued her domination in Class Two taking line honours today as well as her third corrected-time victory. The 56-foot Rock Oyster, owned by John Marshall, took second place with the Oyster 46 Solway Mist of Kippford owned by Alan and Shirley Cook in third place.
Following the complimentary after-race refreshments on the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Piazza Azzurra, owners and their families attended a Cocktail Party on the Club’s pool terrace, which enjoys stunning views over Porto Cervo Marina and the village beyond.
Strong westerly winds are forecast for tomorrow’s final day of racing, scheduled to start at 11:30. Following the final prize giving, owners, crews and the Oyster team will close the event in style with a Gala Dinner hosted by the YCCS.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS