NEWPORT- The surprise of the elite superyacht race in Newport over the weekend was Boston's own entry, the sailing yacht GITANA, whose own crew and owner were even incredulous when the 118-foot Italian superyacht finished in first place in Sunday's racing, outdistancing and outperforming the event's traditional performance favorites which are lighter, rigged for racing and designed for speed far more so than GITANA.

Perini Navi Sailing Yacht GITANA

"Contributing to our success was a fair handicap, 20 knot wind and a decision to make a longer seaward tack when we perceiveed a drop in wind speed affecting others on the inside tack - I monitored their wind and boat speed falling thanks to our ARPA radar tracking several other competitors," Dr. Weiss said.

"When Daniel saw the wind dying first from landward during the course of the race, he said, 'We're not going to take the shortest route,' which many others did, 'we're going to head out to catch whatever wind will be left," Dr. Weiss explained.

As a result at mid-race while GITANA was screaming around markers, her guests were treated to a view of most of the other 13 yachts in the field languishing in lighter wind, Dr. Weiss said.

The surprise first place Sunday victory propelled GITANA third place overall trophy in the megayacht class for the regatta. WHISPER, a 116-foot yacht, placed first, and ROGUE, 103-feet, placed second. WHITEHAWK, which calls Newport home and a traditional Bucket favorite, placed fifth, edged out by a newcomer, RANGER, a 138-foot state-of-the-art performance J Boat built for speed.

GITANA is now for sale through Ardell's Ft. Lauderdale office. Please click on SAILING YACHTS FOR SALE for complete specifications, photos and price information.

Please contact us at 954-525-7637 or yachts@ardell.com

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