Loro Piana takes title sponsorship of the Boat International Superyacht Regatta

Organizers Boat International Media and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda are delighted to announce that Italian luxury brand Loro Piana will become the title sponsor of the superyacht regatta to be held in Porto Cervo from 9th to 13th June. The inaugural 2008 event, held as the "Boat International Superyacht Regatta" in honour of the media group's silver jubilee year, attracted 24 of the world's largest sailing yachts. The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta is open to sailing yachts with a minimum length overall of 24 metres (78.7 ft) and a spectacular fleet is expected to attend, with 15 entries already confirmed.

The presence of Loro Piana as title sponsor underlines once again the commitment to excellence that distinguishes the event. The company has a history of participating in sailing, riding, polo and vintage car racing, sports that reflect common values such as elegance, tradition and a taste for challenge and competition. Sailing and the sea are particularly dear to the Loro Piana family.

Loro Piana also actively promotes the sport of sailing, sponsoring regattas over many years in both the Mediterranean and Asia. Exploiting its in-depth knowledge and first-hand testing 'in the field.' The company creates technical garments that are consistently designed to satisfy the specific need of the sport, aiming at the perfect union between aesthetics and functionality.

"We definitely have a weakness for the best," confirmed Pier Luigi Loro Piana, "that is also so well represented by these fleets, the Sardinian Sea and the most competent partners we could hope to meet."

"Boat International Media is delighted to welcome Loro Piana, a brand synonymous with luxury, lifestyle and sailing to be the first ever title sponsor of our regatta," commented Tony Harris - CEO of Boat International Media. "Together with Boat international Media, Loro Piana share the same passion, commitment and investment to sailing and superyachts. We are all looking forward to a long term partnership whilst ensuring that The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta is the official start to the Mediterranean superyacht racing season."

"We are very pleased to be working with Loro Piana and Boat International Media and I am certain that their collaboration, together with the regatta course and meteorological conditions offered off the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, will make this a truly spectacular event," added YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo.

Racing has been extended to four days and while both fleets will race under the IRC rating system, the Performance yachts will race as a fleet while the Cruising yachts will compete in pursuit-style races allowing classic and modern designs to compete on an equal footing.

Lufthansa Private Jet, also partners of the regatta as a silver sponsor for a second consecutive year, is delighted to offer participants in the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta an exclusive offer for private jet travel to and from Olbia for the event. Click here for more details or contact Sarah Havard.

A maximum of 30 entries will be accepted.

Please visit www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com or www.yccs.it to register and for further details. The gallery of images and film from 2008 are also available for viewing.

For further information and registration please contact:

Alice C. I'Anson Widdows
Business Development  Director - Events
Boat International Media
Tel: +44 (0) 208 545 9330/9338
Mob: +44 (0)759 100 6250
Email: alice.widdows@boatinternationalmedia.com

For press information please contact:

Jill Campbell
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda
Tel: +39 0789 902 200
Mob: +39 340 167 4755
Email: pressoffice@yccs.it

Jan Harley
Media Pro Int'l for YCCS
Tel: +1 401 849 0220
Email: jan.harley@mediapronewport.com