The second Bonifacio Yacht Rally conducted by Mariner Boating Holidays in Sardinia and Corsica ended in brilliant conditions on Saturday September 15.

The final race in the series was conducted the previous day with the 10 chartered yachts coincidentally sailing on the race course of the Rolex Veteran Boat Rally being conducted off Porto Cervo by the Yacht Club Costa Smerelda as part of its 40th anniversary celebration. Valsheda, Ranger and about 15 other classic yachts under full sail in 15 knots of breeze made for an awesome spectacle.
 
The Yacht Club Costa Smerelda was founded 40 years ago this month by HH the Aga Khan, who has a few bucks and who purchased 40 kilometres of the North Sardinia coast to create a tourism industry as an alternative source of income for the basically impoverished farmers who previously scratched a living from the harsh rocky land. He then established the Yacht Club Costa Smerelda as the focal point of this industry. Of course he built his own airport and airline, several hotels and a couple of golf courses to complete the picture.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, a 12 Metre class regatta, the Yacht Club Costa Smerelda 40th anniversary regatta and the Rolex TP52 Global Championship were also held during the same two weeks as the Bonifacio Yacht Rally so there was some spectacular scenery on the rally course for the Australian and Japanese participants in the Mariner event.
 
The Bonifacio Yacht Rally is sailed along the north coast of Sardinia, the south coast of Corsica and among the stunning islands of the Maddalena and Lavezzi National Parks conveniently located in the straits between the two. The town of Bonifacio itself was unanimously voted as the highlight of the event, with the entrance to the harbour a mere fissure in the 60 meter limestone cliffs. Perched precariously on top of the cliffs the houses of the old town, some dating from medieval times, made for a spectacular sight as the rally fleet approached from Sardinia on a balmy 12 knot north-westerly breeze.

The pre-arranged berthing in the congested harbour then saw the yachts moored to a quay right in front of the Albatross restaurant, venue for the post race party. Half way through the function one of the four Bill Gates monster motor yachts, all
lit up like a Christmas tree, ghosted surrealistically past the end of the quay to its slip at the head of the harbour; breathtaking stuff.
 
But it’s not just Bonifacio that has this dreamlike air about it. The rock scapes of Capo Testa, Maddalena and Lavezzi, the pink sand beaches of Budelli, emerald blue water, super yachts and super houses all give the impression that they belong to another world. Similarly on Corsica the jagged peaks rise to 2,600 meters just a few kilometres from the coast and wind tortured pine trees make a right angle turn once they reach the protective canopy of the surrounding forest.

In Sardinia opulence is commonplace and someone jokingly estimated that the GDP of the boat owners in the Yacht Club Rotondo, venue for the final night function of the rally, was probably greater than Australia and maybe that’s not too far from the truth!
 
The Bonifacio Yacht Rally format, like all of the Mariner events, affords plenty of time for cruising but includes a series of short races scattered among the lay days to spice things a little and to keep the boys awake. Racing yachties are racing yachties and the last 10 miler into a 20 knot south easterly Sirocco tested and exhilarated everyone. Otherwise the sailing conditions were benign to say the least with the notorious Mistral only rearing its head on one lay day when the fleet stayed moored in Maddalena, which offered plenty of shopping and restaurants as diversions.
 
The 2008 CYCA Bonifacio Yacht Rally to be conducted next September will be an official event on the CYCA calendar.

More information from Mariner Boating Holidays on 99661244, Email info@marinerboating.com.au  or the website www.marinerboating.com.au