LUXURY LIVING SPORT u
THE SPORTING
SIDE OF SOTOGRANDE
This year for the first time, the international high speed catamaran race came to Sotogrande. This illustrious destination was the fourth of five European stopovers which included Riva del Garda and Malcesine, Italy; Copa del Rey MAPFRE, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille One Design; and a special event, the Alps Challenge in Gmunden, Lake Traunsee, Austria.
Here we interviewed Christian Scherrer, Tour Director for GC32 Racing Tour
WHY IS SOTOGRANDE’ S LOCATION SO GOOD FOR SAILORS?
Sotogrande is a good location for yacht races as it is well situated in the south of Spain and convenient for airports. For sailors the race area comes with the picturesque backdrop of Gibraltar and there is the potential for good gradient wind from the Atlantic or a thermal breeze during the summer months. As a venue Sotogrande is used to hosting major sports events in golf and polo so adding grand prix yacht racing to its sports portfolio is a natural progression.
DOES THIS KIND OF REGATTA BRING A LOT OF OUTSIDE INTEREST TO THE DESTINATIONS IN WHICH THEY TAKE PLACE?
With any sports event, the venue plays a key role and can be integral to the event’ s success. Yachting is like Formula 1 and golf, in having unique courses from venue to venue. As a result the venue and, in particular, its weather, always feature more prominently in the‘ story’ of a regatta, and thereby generating more interest.
HOW LARGE IS THE FOLLOWING?
The following of the GC32 Racing Tour is principally European but there is also considerable interest in it globally. This is partly due to the‘ names’ that compete on it, including many top individuals in sailing who have won Olympic medals and Round the World races. It is also because GC32s are foiling catamarans that sail‘ above’ the water, are among the fastest sailing yachts in the world and are related to the type of boats used to compete in yacht racing’ s biggest and oldest event, the America’ s Cup( hence why several America’ s Cup teams have been unofficially using the circuit for training).
It is also worth pointing out that the demographics for those following sailing- the high net worth individuals and the international spread- are very similar to golf and, in particular, polo and so are a particularly good fit for Sotogrande.
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