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Eleven boats are taking part in the traditional YCCS event, which is part of the class circuit

Porto Cervo, 6 July 2023. Today sees the start of the 20th edition of the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888, an event that is part of the annual circuit for the class. To celebrate this anniversary, 11 Smeralda 888 boats, one-design hulls commissioned in 1991 by the YCCS from yacht designer German Frers, have gathered in Porto Cervo. From today until Sunday, 9th July, the teams will be competing in windward-leeward races on the waters off Porto Cervo.

Among the participating crews is the home team from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, with member Germano Scarpa in the role of skipper aboard Giada. Back to defend his victory from last year is Charles De Bourbon on Vamos Mi Amor, alongside some regular participants in the event: Timifey Sukhotin with Bedà, Roberto Tamburelli on Botta Dritta, Marco Favale aboard Millenium Falcon, Paolo Rotelli's Black Star and Andrea Statari with Gorilla Gang.

Completing the entry list are Mascalzone Latino and Canard à l'Orange, owned by Vincenzo and Achille Onorato respectively, Morten Kielland's Mathilde, and Sergey Buchin's Seapard.

The event has always been characterised by a friendly atmosphere, combined, however, with a healthy dose of competitive spirit. Among the sailors taking part are well-known names such as Tommaso Chieffi calling tactics on Mascalzone Latino together with trimmer Gaetano Figlia di Granara, Gabriele Benussi as tactician on Canard à l'Orange, Flavio Grassi on Giada, Francois Brenac aboard Bedà and Emmanuel Dyen on Millennium Falcon.

Following this morning's briefing at the YCCS, the first starting signal is scheduled for 2.30 p.m., with a light north-westerly wind forecast to fade later in the evening. A maximum of three races may be held per day, up to a total of 11 races to be completed over the four days of the event.  The YCCS regatta courses will be set using robotic marks which maintain their position thanks to an electric motor combined with a GPS system, eliminating the need for anchors on the seabed.

Race updates will be posted on the YCCS website and the YCCS Instagram channel.