After taking top honors in 2012 for the 10th running of the annual Shipyard Cup regatta, hometown favorite Schehrezade will be returning to defend the Cup. One of the finest superyacht sailing vessels in the world, the 154-foot Scheherezade was built by Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay and launched in 2003.

Designed by local and world renowned designer Bruce King with an Andrew Winch Designs (London) interior, Scheherazade is an exquisite example of Hodgdon’s legendary craftsmanship.

For 11 of the past 12 years, Hodgdon Yachts has hosted the superyacht regatta Shipyard Cup. One of only 11 such regattas in the world, and one of only two annual events in the United States, the Shipyard Cup hosts a small but impressive collection of magnificent sailing yachts. “There are very few locales in the world where such a spectacle can be witnessed, and we are honored to bring such a great event to the Boothbay Region,” said Tim Hodgdon, fifth generation owner and CEO of Hodgdon Yachts.

The race is held in the “Corinthian Tradition” celebrating the “true spirit” of yachting which seeks to maintain a “high standard of sportsmanlike conduct” and is technically open to entrants 70 ft and above. Most years the fleet ranges from 90 feet to over 150 feet. The Cup is run under the International Superyacht Rule www.internationalsuperyachtrule.com.

The rule dictates a pursuit style start where each vessel is handicapped through a sophisticated analysis based on design characteristics, performance factors and expected race time conditions.

The first yacht over the starting line is technically the slowest, with the last start being the fastest and the last to try to chase down the fleet. The finish can be exciting as the aim of the weighted starts is to have everyone finish at the same time. Last year on day 2, three of the vessels finished within one meter of each other.

“We are very pleased with the interest thus far with six boats committed and “nine other significant entries have expressed strong interest pending charter guest or owner last minute schedule changes,” said event chairman and Hodgdon Yachts Director of Sales and Marketing Ed Roberts. “We expect to host well over 250 owners, captains, crew and guests” Roberts went on to say.

Among the entries thus far is another very notable “Grand Dame,” Marie, the 180-foot Classic Ketch built by Vitters Shipyard in Holland for a well-known local seasonal resident. Marie has earned many accolades including for the yacht’s interior which boats a baby grand piano. Complete details of entrants, information for spectators and public events being added to the Shipyard Cup event will be posted on the website as they become available. www.shipyardcup.com

Although the social events are not open to the public, spectators are welcomed and encouraged to watch the race but are cautioned to stay clear of the area of the start and finish which will be marked with private vessels flying a red Shipyard Cup flag.

Further details on watching the event can be found in the SYC Notice To Mariners on the Shipyard Cup website www.shipyardcup.com. The starting area will be organized approximately at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an anticipated start time between noon and 1 p.m.

The Shipyard Cup is a member of the Superyacht Racing Association a prestigious collection of yacht designers, shipbuilders, project managers, captains, owners and regatta organizers.