Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta - Day 2

Day 2 on Friday began as the fleet of 20 superyachts spanning from 24.4m (80ft) to 66m (216ft) in length and totaling 779.4m (2,557ft) of sailing technology and design headed out to the start line just west of Necker Island. The race committee announced a course that would take the fleet anticlockwise round Virgin Gorda in a reverse of race one. This also meant an exciting downwind start for the superyachts, with plenty of challenges and high pressure for the tacticians and crews.

There were alterations to the ratings of six yachts overnight as the panel of experts that included pro Peter Craig, International Super Yacht Rule creator Jim Teeters, and a selection of independent and well respected yachting pros such as Cam Appleton and Jens Christensen assessed the data from the first day of racing.

Even with the rating changes the start order remained the same beginning with the slowest rated superyacht Altair, then superyachts starting at two minute intervals after. Many chose to hoist their kites on the line, with several yachts hitting the pin end at pace and timing it to the second.

As the yachts approached the Dog Islands and doused spinnakers for the fetch south, the faster yachts starting later in the order had already made good ground on the slower superyachts. The 37m Fitzroy Moonbird had clocked up a healthy two minute lead over the next superyacht, the 60m Perini Navi Seahawk as they reached Round Rock, their turning mark for the beat north up the east coast of Virgin Gorda.

The faster superyachts in Classes A and B had a longer leg and were sent west of Ginger Island before heading back round Virgin Gorda. There was a battle of the giants at the front with the 57m ketch Twizzle holding off the 55m ketch Marie for the lead on the water. A flurry of superyachts followed including Selene, yesterday's Class A winner Nilaya, Aiyana, the new Fitzroy built Ohana, Hetairos and Inoui all battling for passing lanes and clean air.

In the end Moonbird took line honors again, and they had built up enough of a lead on the water after a great day's racing to take first place in Class C on corrected time, ahead of Sarafin and Seahawk. In Class A, the Baltic built Nilaya scored a second victory ahead of 37m Ohana who put in an impressive performance today and in third the massive ketch Hetairos. Class B went to Twizzle, with race one winner Freya in second and Marie in third. It was shaping up for a great final day of racing.

Keep your eyes here on Megayacht Global for the Final Day and for further information follow the link to Boat International Media.