We went back to Sardinia for our 11th High Point Yacht Fest, but this time to Cagliari!
A huge thanks to all the participants for the fun and enthusiasm you bring to make High Point the high point of our year once again.
The HPYF 2019 week kicked off with a lively Welcome party at the Hublot venue close to the marina. It was great to see everyone again as well as a few new faces
and Keith and Tracy back again.
The whole week continued as one long party with breaks for some sailing each day. Southern Sardinia lived up to expectation in every way as a slightly
wild and less explored venue, prone to occasional strong winds. The first day’s first race was a short one, abandoned when the wind died. We
did manage another short one on the way to Tuelada Marina before visiting Agrituriturismo Terraniedda restaurant for some wonderful Sardinian cuisine.
We had a couple more upwind races on the next two days in perfect conditions before 30 knots of wind arrived with perfect timing to liven up the
downwind legs back to Cagliari on Wednesday and Thursday. This meant we had to go directly to Porto Kuralis in Cagliari rather than via Capo di Pula
which had been our intended Roux Gourmet night venue. As it turned out, for the conditions, we were better off in the marina for the Thursday night.
On the last day the wind changing from north to south surprisingly quickly caught some of us out and meant the course had to be shortened. Overall,
John’s team were the winners, Caro’s team were a solid second and Jak’s team made a late surge to just pip Denis for third. Jak and Denis had the same
points so the position was decided on best result in which Jak’s 1st place beat Denis’s 2nd place. Very close and there were only 8 points separating
3rd from 9th.
Thanks to all the crews for their Roux Gourmet dishes and congratulations to Patrick from Jak’s boat for the winning savoury dish (bruschetta and
spicy pasta) and to Keith’s boat for their team cheese-cake. nhoJ’s Pota Pota team entertained us all week and won the “CraikPoint” trophy.
Unfortunately, it needs to be replaced after its dismasting at the welcome party. Newbie Gifted Guitarist Graham deserves a special mention,
of course.
Thanks to Marco for providing us with a great fleet of 8 Bavaria 51’s and one Dufour 512. Marco also was invaluable in many other ways, including
advising on venues and our itinerary and for providing an orange blob to hang off our stern. That was our unused insurance to cater for SE winds
but it proved extremely useful for crews to see where we were at the starts later in the week.
Thanks to everyone for coming and making it a great event. We hope to see you all again next year and in the meantime, Merry Christmas
and Happy Easter!!
John & Sasha
Please check the link below for more information on the High Point Yacht Fest event and other past and current events too:
HPYF regatta, 28 September – 5 October 2019, Cagliari, Sardinia
07/10/19, Shivaun – Boat PEVERO:
Sash and John,
It’s been an amazing week. And you’ve kept that magical essence you created. The fun, the professionalism and at the same time a great informal & intimate time.
I know it takes a lot of effort to make that happen. And I enjoy the benefits. Both parties were stunning. Races well planned. We all loved having the same boats
(nothing to blame, alas) and I loved how you welcomed the new and celebrated Birgit’s 81st. That was so thoughtful of you.
I adore meeting the old friends that I haven’t spoken to for a year. Learning something new about them, using more double entendres than I have in the previous 12
months, dancing to Europop and overthinking strategies to win gourmet night.
I’m afraid, having plummeted to a murky depths in theme and costume this year, as well as having used up all of my Skipper’s willingness, I can’t imagine where next
year will take us.
Hugs and a clap on the back to you both.
Shivaun xx
08/10/19, Brigitte – Boat POTA POTA:
Des Sasha and John,
Once again a tremendous High Point week, thanks to you. The Pota Pota crew had an amazing time as always. I hope that John didn’t mind the ribbing
over the handicap too much, it was all done in good humour by us as we know how hard you work to try and keep everyone happy. Not a job I envy!
The main thing for us is to enjoy the company, the sailing and the weather; if we can keep up with the rest of the fleet, it is an added bonus!
Thank you both.
Brigitte xx
Find out more about our previous yachtFest (HPYF 2018) here.
