Rolex Maxi 72 Worlds- Bella Mente Racing in action

by Kirsten Ferguson on 13 Sep 2015 Hap Fauth, with his team of 26 world-class sailors, steered Maxi 72 Bella Mente to a win today in the 2015 Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship, reclaiming the title he last held in 2012.

The annual regatta is a pinnacle one on the team’s racing calendar, as it attracts the best competition in the Maxi 72 Class for five days of racing off Porto Cervo, Sardinia. The prestigious event complements stellar results the team has seen in the other five regattas in which it has competed this year.

Going into the last day of racing today, Bella Mente held the overall lead, but the title of world champion was still anyone’s game, with Robertissima III only one point behind in second. After first and third place finishes in the event’s two windward leeward races, the team secured the overall win.

“The final day of a regatta is always one of mental toughness and today the team prevailed with stellar results,” said 2014 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Terry Hutchinson, who calls tactics onboard. “This is a very special win for the team, and for me personally, as Hap demonstrated great trust in his people. It is awesome to see a plan executed successfully and a great win for a great owner.”

Mike Sanderson added, “What a day, what a week. We came into this year’s Rolex Maxi 72 Worlds feeling very prepared, having put in lots of hard work, and to win today is a fantastic feeling. When you have done this much work and expectations are high, it is almost a relief to be able to cross the line in third in the last race and that be enough to secure the overall win.”

Earlier this year, the team raced in the U.S., the Caribbean and the U.K., taking line honors and the overall win at the RORC Caribbean 600 and winning its class at Quantum Key West Race Week, the Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta and Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The team even made an impressive comeback at Les Voiles de St. Barth, moving up to second place overall after suffering an equipment failure on the first day.