Editor's Note: Sailing Icons & Superyacht Hubs

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with America’s Cup icon Sir Russell Coutts in London, who not only explained the importance of the upcoming battle in Bermuda, but how the superyacht programme is providing a third dimension to the global event.

The America’s Cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in sporting history, and something which has historically made huge waves with superyacht owners. The passion and speed of racing has evolved with new technology, as has new ways of watching, according to Sir Russell Coutts.

Bermuda is a forgotten yachting playground, now set to be revived by prevailing winds, crack sailing teams from across the world and the arrival of up to 80 superyachts. This is truly the next big event on the superyacht calendar for 2017.

A regatta which also carved its name into 2017 this month was the Rolex Swan Cup, which concluded over the weekend to crown two victors. The high-octane racing across the crystal waters of the BVI found Freya and Cuordileone matched for performance as superyachts looked on with baited breath, according to the race report from Yacht Club Costa Smeralda which you can read here. 

The fact that a race, or the arrival of a yacht, can change the perspective of an entire country intrigued me this week. Well, enough to lead me into a conversation with Nizar Taji, the new Sales Director of OneOcean Port Vell.

During our conversation, I learned all about how the recent 160-metre berth sale is just one reason why Barcelona and Spain are now part of the burgeoning landscape of new and exciting superyacht hubs.

In other news, Superyachts.com bid farewell to both a friend and colleague as Richard Gray left the office to join the team at IYC. After travelling the world with Richard Gray, I greatly look forward to seeing where his new challenge takes him in the future.

I’ll be bringing you more news from across the industry across the coming weeks as the sun begins to peak through the clouds and ring in the first calendar events of Spring. Until then, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or feel free to e-mail me here if there is a story you think might interest us.