Interviews with the sailing legends of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2021

The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2021 has now come to a close, with the Vitters 2016 super sailing yacht Missy taking the top spot in the superyacht division, finishing the four race days with only four points. Her next closest competitor was the Swan Shamanna with 11 points, followed by the Wally Y3K with 13, the Southern Wind Aragon with 14, and finally the McConaghy Boats Leopard 3, with 19 points. Photo: Carlo BorlenghiPhoto: Carlo BorlenghiIn the multihull division, the first of its kind to compete at the renowned regatta, it was Highland Fling XVII that pinned the top spot, with five points. R-Six came in second place with 10 points, swiftly followed by Allegra with 11 and Give Me Five at the stern of the fleet with 17 points.Photo: Carlo BorlenghiThe regatta, as Mitch Booth, tactician aboard Leopard 3 commented, “is the first regatta in the circuit and we are just very very happy to be here!” The week has been a hugely successful event, with crew, owners and supporters from every corner of the world thrilled to be back in the action, doing what they love once again.Photo: Carlo BorlenghiThe team on the ground have conducted a series of exclusive interviews for SYT with the many sailing legends who participated in the event. For Mike Giles, trim man on the winning catamaran Highland Fling XVII, and America’s Cup veteran, “Sardinia is one of the nicest places to sail in the world, for anybody.” The sentiment was shared by Leopard 3 crew, and renowned Volvo Ocean Race sailor, Paul Stanbridge who commented, “it is always great to be back in Sardinia, it's one of our favourite racing grounds and just fantastic to be back.”Photo: Carlo BorlenghiKarol Jablonski, America’s Cup tactician who competed in the 2007 edition with Desafio Espanol, the event has marked a return to racing in the best fashion, “we are very happy and fortunate to be here racing together again.”Photo: Carlo BorlenghiTo sum up the regatta, sailing legend Paul Larsen, tactician aboard the multihull third place yacht Allegra commented, “It is just perfect, flat water, its warm, great competition, it’s been a great day on the water!”Photo: Carlo BorlenghiThe positive atmosphere at the event was buoyed, not only by the stellar display of yachting expertise, but also by the excitement for old friends seeing each other again after a long year away from their favourite competitions.