Bertelli among leaders at Rolex Veteran Boat Rally

by Event Media on 13 Sep 2007
Racing in the Rolex Veteran Boat Rally 2007 started today with windward-leewards being set for the ten competing International 12 metre class boats.

The event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, will continue until Saturday 15th September in the waters off Porto Cervo in Sardinia. The 12 metre craft, competing here as part of their centenary tour, have been divided into three categories: Grand Prix (launched from 1984 onwards), Modern (1968-‘83)and Classic (1907-‘68)

After today’s three races, which were held in approximately 12 knots of south-easterly wind, the leaderboard sees Kookaburra II (ITA), Freedom (USA) and Ikra (FRA) leading the Grand Prix, Modern and Classic categories respectively.

In the first race of the day the Grand Prix category was led for the duration by Roger Wright’s Wright on White (BRA) followed closely by Kookaburra II, chartered for this event by Luna Rossa and Prada boss Patrizio Bertelli. The third and final member of this category, Bill Koch’s Kiwi Magic (FRA) was back behind several of the Modern boats at the first and second mark roundings and indeed crossed the finish line behind Challenge Twelve (FRA) which is competing with the Modern 12 metres.

Following Challenge Twelve were James Gubelmann’s Courageous and Clayton Deutsch on Freedom, both hailing from the United States. The Classic category - which includes Zinita (NED), built in 1927 and the oldest yacht in the fleet - saw Yves-Haire Morault’s Ikra come in first.

Race Two saw Kookaburra II, Freedom and Ikra win in the Grand Prix, Modern and Classic classes respectively. Race Three went to Kiwi Magic for the Grand Prix category, Freedom for Modern and Ikra for the Classics, making Ikra the only yacht to have won all three of her races today.

Philippe Presti, former Olympic Soling sailor and America’s Cup helmsman, is skipper on board Kookaburra II and captures the essence of the 12 metre class while describing today’s third race: 'We have come from Luna Rossa. After the end of the Cup we decide to run the 12 Metre programme. Today was my first race in the 12 Metres and all the guys are great and they are coming from such a level. It was pretty tricky, we were all together at the top mark, but we managed to turn around and we didn’t feel damaged and that’s the spirit of the class I wouldn’t say itis casual …but for gentlemen!'

Racing for the 12 Metre class will conclude tomorrow when they take to the water together with the fleet of Veteran boats providing a stunning spectacle against the equally stunning backdrop of the rugged Sardinian coastline. East to south-easterly breezes of approximately 7 to 8 knots are predicted.

For more information, results, entry lists etc visit www.yccs.it , www.rolexveteranboatrally.com or www.regattanews.com.