GLISS WINS THE HORUS SUPERYACHT CUP 2009

Approximately 15 of the 18-yacht fleet crossed the line within 20 minutes on the final day of The Horus Superyacht Cup. Generally this is the proof that the bucket system, refined over three days racing, works. Specially though the flaws of this rating system showed in the fact that the two yachts running last and second to last on the second day, were first and second on this third day. The sponsors yacht Sunshine took line honours with the Antara following some 15 minutes later. The win for Sunshine was universally popular as the yacht and its crew were a well-liked combination at the regatta. It’s tremendously difficult to have a perfect rating and system. If there were such then much of the enjoyable bickering and moaning about it would disappear. That would not be welcome as it’s an inherent part of après-race!

Gliss, Winner overall of The Horus Superyacht Cup 2009, Photo:  www.clairematches.com

Someone did however comment that although yachts like Antara and Sunshine will always be wild cards at least their third day 1st and second was not reflected in the overall positions. He was somewhat surprised when I advised him that Antara was actually second overall, though only the first Gliss actually gained a prize. Complaining apart, the vocal appreciation of both yachts wins was evident at the prize ceremony.

That took place at a new and exquisite venue the Palma museum of modern art. The ever popular committee boat Tigerlily gained a coffee machine for Nespresso sponsors as did the Mari Cha III crew for their good looks, Tenaz also gained a prize for her tenaciousness fighting breakdowns to arrive and race. The final event was excellent and like the regatta itself an example of how hard Patrick Whetter, Informa Yacht Group and their teams team have laboured to raise the game of the event. Owners crews and sponsors ate well and danced equally so to the Red Sox,  an ageing bunch of rockers whose greying or absent locks made little difference to the musical energy which justified Patrick’s comment that “when Phil Collins needs a band for his birthday party he hires the Red Sox”.

I sailed the third day on Meteor. Two years on from her first appearance at the SYC she was as beautiful as ever and despite the intervening 40 thousand miles in truly as-new shape. Though intending to sail, business commitment prevented either of her owners from attending yet still she raced. Her presence is in fact a total justification for The Horus Superyacht Cup. I asked her captain Dean whey she was racing without owners. He told me that while the owners love her to race with or without them, the main reason to do so here and also recently in Sardinia was to showcase a yacht for sale. This is no fire sale, nor are the owners desperate to liquidate this asset but they are keen to sell and view racing as a superb way to display her fine looks and performance. Royal Huisman too (with Alice Huisman and Michael Koppstein aboard) also gain the opportunity to show off their product ( Gliss, Hyperion, Maria Cattiva and William Tai were also Huisman built HSYC competitors).

Michael reported a recent jump in new build enquires in the last 4 weeks with most coming form the United States. Interestingly their reasons for the Meteor sale are strongly indicative of the opportunities offered in current crisis times. One owner had retired but recently bought back the company he sold before retirement – doubtless both selling and buying at a favourable price. The other’s business is expanding rapidly. These optimistic circumstances mean they have little time to use the yacht. The important lesson here is not just that the SYC is a great showcase for owner or yard but also Meteor’s full, busy and active crew  show that mothballing aids no one in the industry – owners in particular.