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Sail-World.com : Maxi Rolex Cup ready to roll in Porto Cervo
Maxi Rolex Cup ready to roll in Porto Cervo
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Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2010 racing, which features 49 of the world’s largest, fastest and most spectacular racing maxi yachts, is due to start tomorrow, 6th September. Although this is the 21st edition of the regatta organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the fleet of sailing giants docked in Porto Cervo Marina is the largest recorded in recent years. The participating yachts range from 18 to 45 metres (approximately 59 to 148 feet) in length and represent 13 nations. Racing will take place over five days, concluding with the final prize giving on Saturday 11th September, and will include the inaugural edition of the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship.
This first edition of the Mini Maxi Worlds has seen the competing craft undergo strict measurement inspections which included hulls being hauled out for weighing as well as sails and equipments checks. While all maxis with an LOA of 18.29 to 24.08 metres (60 to 79 feet) can participate in the championship, only those yachts complying with the International Maxi Association’s owner-driver rule will be eligible for the title of World Champion.
Competition is certain to be fierce among the Mini Maxis and among the participants to watch will be Neville Crichton’s Shockwave (NZL), fresh from taking overall victory in the Giraglia Rolex Cup 2010 and winner of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2009 in her division (under her previous name of Alfa Romeo 3). Crichton will be up against stiff competition from Niklas Zennstrom’s Ran (GBR), winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2009 and division winner in the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart race. Andres Soriano’s Alegre (GBR), winner of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week 2010 and the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2009 is sure to be another strong competitor as is Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente, division winner in the Key West Race Week 2010. America’s Cup veteran Bill Koch has also decided to get in on the action in the Mini Maxi World Championships and has Gavin Brady on tactics aboard his chartered Titan 15.
The remainder of the fleet will be split into 'Racing & Racing-Cruising', 'Supermaxi & J Boats' and 'Wally' divisions and will include Porto Cervo veterans such as the Swan 90 DSK Pioneer Investment, owned by Danilo Salsi which placed second in her division at the Maxi yacht Rolex Cup. Wally owners Irvine Laidlaw, with his Highland Fling (GBR) and Andrea Recordati with his Indio (ITA) are also seasoned competitors on the waters off the Costa Smeralda, as is Peter Offen, owner of the 2009 Wally division winner Y3K (GER). Southern Wind 100 Farewell (ITA), helmed by newly appointed YCCS Vice Commodore Alessandro Rinaldi, will be looking to defend the colours of the host Club. The classic ketch Hetairos (CAY), the reproduction J Class Ranger (CAY) and the 1933 J Class Velsheda (GBR) are all also previous division winners in the event.
One interesting newcomers to the event is sure to be Esimit Europa (formerly Alfa Romeo 2), the boat competes under the patronage of the European Comission and despite only having taken to the waters with her new owner and crew in June, has already created ripples by winning lines honours at the Giraglia Rolex Cup, her first offshore race, as well as setting a new course record in the Palermo – Montecarlo race in August.
'This regatta is one of highlights of the YCCS calendar. Despite having been founded in 1981 the event has grown and moved forward in line with the continuous developments in the world of yachting. This record fleet is testament to the regatta’s popularity among owners and the Club’s drive to bring the cream of the yachting world to Porto Cervo. Forty-nine Maxi Yachts combined with top class yachtsmen and the regatta course off the Costa Smeralda makes for a spectacular week of racing.'
Racing is scheduled to take place each day from 12 midday with the windward- leewards and coastal courses scheduled for the Mini Maxis and coastal courses for the rest of the fleet. On-the-water action will be matched by a full social programme laid on by Rolex and YCCS which includes a welcome cocktail, after race refreshments and a Rolex Party. Tomorrow’s forecast predicts changeable winds, westerly towards midday, of approximately 6 to 8 knots.
www.yccs.it
by Jill Campbell
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http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=74335
6:48 PM Sun 5 Sep 2010 GMT
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