The IMA introduces the newly-launched 2024 Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge, with 2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race included in the series

(Rolex / Kurt Arrigo)

maxi yacht porto cervo

Porto Cervo, 29 February. Registrations are open for 2024 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup ( September 8 to 14)

(photo: IMA / Studio Borlenghi)

Leopard 3 declared overall winner of 2024 RORC Caribbean 600. Owner Joost Schuijff was presented with the RORC Caribbean 600 trophy in Antigua on February 23

(photo: Arthur Daniel / RORC)

2024 RORC Caribbean 600. Farr 40 Leopard 3 (MON) is declared overall winner

(photo: Alex Turnbull)

The IMA is pleased to announce the 2024 IMA Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series, open to maxi multihulls of 60+ft (18.29m) LH

Todd slyngstad's hh66 catamaran nemo won the first event of the ima cmms, the caribbean multihull challenge, in early february 2024.

(photo: Laurens More)

Entries are now open for 2024 151 Miglia offshore race, scheduled to start on May 30 from Livorno, Italy

(photo: Lelli / Studio Taccola)

maxi yacht porto cervo

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The IMA introduces its new Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge

The IMA introduces its new Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge

  • Posted by IMA
  • London, 6 March 2024

To complement its recently announced IMA Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series, the International Maxi Association is to hold ...

Leopard 3 declared overall winner at 2024 RORC Caribbean 600

Leopard 3 declared overall winner at 2024 RORC Caribbean 600

  • Antigua, 22 February 2024

The Royal Ocean Racing Club has announced that the Farr 100 Leopard 3 (MON), skippered by Joost Schuijff is the overall ...

RORC Caribbean 600: Leopard 3 wins monohull line honours

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maxi yacht porto cervo

39 years ago the International Maxi Association was started as a small gathering of maxi yacht owners wishing to bring more co-ordination to their sailing. Since then it has grown both in the size of its membership and its remit, to become an organization with much wider influence and endorsed by World Sailing to organize World Championships and to manage maxi racing globally. The IMA’s overall aim is to encourage greater participation in maxi racing around the world. To this end, the Association has become increasingly involved in all the regattas with significant maxi participation. Another of the IMA’s major responsibilities is to encourage the highest standards of race management, safety and measurement for both inshore and offshore maxi yacht events. For maxi regattas the IMA assists with the standardization of entry and the writing of notice of races and sailing instructions. The Association can also assist with race management and support and endorse events that are held to its high standards. For 2021 as well as all our usual events and our Mediterranean Maxi Inshore and Offshore Championships, we are adding a new regatta run by the Yacht Club Italiano as a season opener in Portofino at the end of April. We are also supporting the famous Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Hawaii and the Aegean 600. Our flagship event, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, we trust will be able to proceed this September in Porto Cervo in near normal conditions. Here and at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez we will be joined by the J Class, a class formally affiliated with the IMA, as we await news of their next World Championship. The IMA’s membership remains healthy – a trend we hope will continue. We need maxi owners to support us so that we can support them! We remain extremely grateful for the generous long term and loyal support from our main sponsor Rolex and are pleased to welcome Credit Suisse as a further sponsor. We also thank the marine clothing company Code 0 for kitting out the IMA team in smart new gear. As usual I thank my hard-working and dedicated staff. Throughout the pandemic we have met weekly on Zoom but are greatly looking forward to seeing each other in person, as well as all maxi owner and sailors in the forthcoming season. We wish you an excellent season ahead.

February 2021 Andrew McIrvine IMA Secretary General

International Maxi Association Legal Headquarters: c/o BfB Société Fiduciaire Bourquin frères et Béran SA - 26, Rue de la Corraterie - 1204 Genève - Switzerland

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Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup: A feast for the eyes

Yachting World

  • November 3, 2022

Porto Cervo is one of the most spectacular venues in the world, and this year’s Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup was a feast for the eyes. Andi Robertson reports

maxi yacht porto cervo

Walk the hallowed docks of Sardinia’s Yacht Club Costa Smeralda during the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup and it was impossible to get anywhere fast. The collection of maxi yachts this year was truly mesmerising, each meriting more than a passing glance. Correspondingly, the army of top professional sailors assembled was literally a who’s who of generations of America’s Cup , Ocean Race and Olympic sailing stars.

To leave the real world and immerse yourself in the Porto Cervo bubble is something special. Even the grizzled, white-haired pros who recall the formative years of the ‘Maxi Worlds’ and who come year in, year out, show no complacency. They love it and always will because it is the pinnacle event of maxi racing.

Post-pandemic, more than ever, there is a renewed appreciation for this spectacular event. Here there are no distractions beyond the wind blown rugged granite scenery, the turquoise waters and the rocky network of islands forming the La Maddalena archipelago.

The 32nd Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup was not the biggest ever, mustering 46 racing maxis in six classes, but it was almost certainly the most competitive event for many years, with quality in depth through each of the divisions.

The fleet was also more diverse than ever. For the first time since 2014 there were four J Class yachts competing under their own JCA handicap – an elegant step back in time contrasting sharply with the debuting foiler Flying Nikka , which raced in its own class, and the just launched powerful ClubSwan 80 My Song which lined up in the 13-boat maxi fleet.

maxi yacht porto cervo

Rambler off Isola delle Bisce lighthouse north of Porto Cervo. Photo: Luca Butto

A different league

“For sure after the pandemic there seems to be more people wanting to sail big boats than ever before and being able to afford to do so. And this regatta was in a different league to previous events in terms of quality,” noted the International Maxi Association’s secretary general Andrew McIrvine.

“One interesting development is now having absorbed the Wally class – which had a bunch of 80-footers and a bunch of 100-footers racing together – and getting them into performance, rather than size related classes, we have a good 13-boat maxi class. That is definitely better.

maxi yacht porto cervo

The foiling Flying Nikka raced in a class of its own

“And we have a more race orientated fleet, there used to be cruising maxis, and we have more professionals, whether or not you consider that a good thing. We are still very strict on the owner-driver rule, except in the Super Maxi fleet where in fact the two top owners are young and steer their boats anyway.”

In a typical September week at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup there will be days of light winds and very often days lost to the Mistral. A fixed Thursday layday may seem like an anomaly but many owners – and their crews – start to feel their age mid week. This edition was no different, early starts made the best of the building Mistral on Friday, but Saturday proved unsailable.

Without question the standard of boat and sail handling gets higher every year. To see the J Class rivals tacking up ‘Bomb Alley’, as the rock-strewn passage north of Porto Cervo through the La Maddalena and Caprera archipelago is known, in 18 knots of breeze and flat water – seemingly within touching distance of the shore – is incredible.

maxi yacht porto cervo

Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s Highland Fling XI. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Running downwind America’s Cup rival helms Peter Holmberg and Ed Baird showed a precision in their boat placement akin to sailing a Laser, all while choreographing nearly 30 crew. Are there elements of brinksmanship or bravado? Maybe, but the truth is many of the afterguard crew will have raced on these waters dozens of times, and laying one corner when others can’t will reap a dividend of several boatlengths.

The Super Maxi division victory was the biggest win yet for a ‘young’ (at just turned 50) Swedish owner on his Swan 115 Shamanna .

He also owns the well known Spirit 100 Gaia and Gerdney , a classic Swedish Skerries 95ft cruiser. He races Shamanna with eight of his long time friends – among them a cardiac anaesthetist, a pal who was ‘The Bachelor’ on the Swedish reality show of the same name – and a posse of good pros managed by British former Volvo/Whitbread, America’s Cup ace Guy Barron.

maxi yacht porto cervo

The 82ft custom Wally Highland Fling XI. Photo: Luca Butto

Raising the standards

Barron has sought to keep raising the standards of the ‘amateurs’ so they are fully integrated and respected by the pros, rather than allowing a ‘them and us’ scenario develop. Barron sailed with the owner and his friends originally in Sweden and was able to impart his knowledge and involve them in a way which has become important on the big Swan. “We sat down and said let’s make sure your guys get trained up and are part of it. So between Shamanna and Gaia we share the same pros, the same group and we’re all used to sailing with each other.”

Barron reckons – after some counting – that he has now raced from Sardinia 34 times, the first time being at the 12 Metre Worlds in 1987. “It is one of the best venues in the world and I never ever tire of racing around through Bomb Alley. It is breathtaking. I remember I was on Boomerang and we had THE crash.

maxi yacht porto cervo

Close fleet action. Photo: Luca Butto

“We hit a rock going 9.5 knots, having just got full speed on we stopped dead. We pulled the engine off the mount, cracked every frame in the boat, blew the terminals off the top of the batteries, flattened the wheel, the pedestals, seized the mainsheet and the runner winch. I ended up in an ambulance with George Coumantaros the owner. He’d fallen over and inverted his cheek. I slid forward, hit the solid stainless reaching stanchion and very luckily did not break my leg. I sail past there and still hear the noises in my head. It is a truly wonderful place to sail!”

Mini maxi rivalry

The six boat Mini Maxi 1 division is the domain of what were previously the Maxi 72 class. Now only Jim Swartz’s Vesper and George Sakellaris hull sister Proteus are close to Maxi 72 trim, all of the other four boats have had extensive modifications. Ironically the top two overall were Vesper , with Gavin Brady as tactician, and Proteus .

The changes across the rest of the fleet have been various: Peter Dubens’ North Star is the first boat to now use stored power for running rigging and sails with seven fewer crew – which at the Maxi Worlds gives a four-point rating credit. Spirit of Jethou (23.5m), Cannonball (22.86m) and Bella Mente (22.55m) have all been lengthened and have deeper keels. Bella Mente has a taller rig, as has Cannonball which can also now carry 1,000kg of water ballast per side.

Despite their differences, this was a very competitive class of boats which were conceived as the last word in maxi racing and richly laden with talent.

maxi yacht porto cervo

Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup fleet racing in Sardinia’s La Maddalena Archipelago. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

“We were fortunate to be consistent. We did not screw up,” smiled Gavin Brady after racing. “In fact the boat is arguably the same as when it won the World Championships five years ago (as Momo ). It is cool, I think, for Vesper to win the World Championship with the same keel, the same mast, the same sails.

“Our sport needs to see some sustainability and it is a good message that if you have something that works and you just go and sail well you don’t need to change the mast and the keel. That is something special for Jim as he does not want to go down the ‘arms race’ route. He wants to go and race, and may the best team win.

“This fleet of seven boats have evolved. It’s clear the owners want to develop their boats in the way they want and not be told what to do by a box rule. You have Jethou at one end and North Star at the other and we all went round the top mark within 30 seconds of each other. It’s not the Maxi 72 box rule of old but it is working and we have happy owners.”

maxi yacht porto cervo

Crew on the rail of the iconic J Class Velsheda. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Water ballast, and how it is treated under rating systems, is one factor many grand prix teams are watching carefully, in readiness to adapt their boats. “The water ballast is the elephant in the room right now,” Brady explains.

“Everyone is trying to be secretive but we all know what is going on. Everyone has drawings to put water in everything from a TP52 to a maxi but we just don’t know what the rule is going to do. I think it is a good way, a clean way to make boats go faster. Salt water is in abundance and if we want to pump water into the boat to make it faster and more fun it is a lot more sustainable than carbon fibre and sails that will go to landfill.”

Lord Irvine Laidlaw bade farewell to his faithful Reichel Pugh 82ft custom Wally Highland Fling XI with a swansong win in the 13-boat maxi class. Cameron Appleton calls tactics alongside navigator Andrew Cape: “Porto Cervo is a unique place usually offering a real range of conditions, inshore racing and navigational type courses, and you have to be good at every part of it,” Appleton recalled.

“You get to know the tricks of the place and where the wind bends are but it is how you get there to use them that is the skill.”

With co-owner Niklas Zennström driving his first regatta on Svea , flying the flag for his native Sweden, the J Class title was never really in doubt, though the racing was always close.

Svea seems to have a speed edge and has a great crew marshalled by Bouwe Bekking. The J Class are looking towards a World Championship in Barcelona during the 37th America’s Cup with potentially seven or eight boats. Next to return to the fold will be Rainbow , bought by Kiwi owner Neville Crichton, who is refitting the boat in Palma to be ready for the later part of next season.

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MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP: CLASS PERFORMANCES

maxi yacht porto cervo

Porto Cervo, 09 September 2023 – Since the early 1980s, maxi yacht owners and sailors have been drawn to the Costa Smeralda and specifically the annual Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Considered the perfect sailing package the event unites first-class organization, a majestic sailing environment and the world’s leading maxi yachts and professional crews.

Rolex and event organizer the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) have enjoyed a close partnership for nearly 40 years. The longevity of this collaboration has been at the heart of the event’s continued success and evolution. Support for the organization of the week-long regatta is provided by the International Maxi Association (IMA).

maxi yacht porto cervo

The 2023 edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be considered a special vintage. Four days of racing offered the full repertoire of the Costa Smeralda sailing experience, from the strong breeze, big waves and robust sea state of the regatta’s initial exchanges to the light, unstable conditions which closed proceedings.

The Maddalena Archipelago’s myriad of race courses feature numerous narrow passages and rocky outcrops. On such testing fields of play, sailing powerful yachts at high speeds requires total synergy in teamwork and deft boat handling skills.

maxi yacht porto cervo

Sailors, drawn from the cream of professional sailing talent, were left enthralled by the week’s competition. Former Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Mike Sanderson, part of the afterguard on  Bella Mente , was one such example: 

“The location is so special. Sun, big waves and big breeze. For so many teams this is the pinnacle event of their year. We have worked all year to develop the boat to be ready for this regatta.”

maxi yacht porto cervo

For Mitch Booth, two-time Olympic medallist, overall Rolex Middle Sea Race winning skipper in 2021 and tactician on Leopard 3 , the event is without equal:

“Coming together in such an iconic place, it is a real season highlight and a clash of the titans, the best against the best in perfect sailing.”

maxi yacht porto cervo

Accolades went to the six class winners who showed great consistency and expertise in dealing both with the vagaries of the conditions but equally the formidable nature of the opposition. Proving triumphant were:  Galateia  (Maxi Class A),  Bella Mente  (Class B),  Spirit of Lorina  (Class C), Y3K  (Supermaxi),  Svea  (J Class) and  Allegra  (Maxi multihull).

Since its foundation, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has been the showcase for the evolution in maxi yacht design and technology. The 48-strong fleet at this year’s 33rd edition was one of the most eclectic to date. From the largest entrant,  Svea  (43.6m/143-ft) through to the smallest  Blue Oyster (18.3m/60-ft), an eye-catching range of yachts were on display.

maxi yacht porto cervo

Innovations for the 2023 edition included the first ever appearance of the maxi multihulls. As YCCS Commodore Michael Illbruck explains this aligns with the event’s perennial commitment to be at the forefront of developments: 

“Change is a constant in the world of yachting, and continuous evolution has been the key to the success of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, right from the first edition in 1980 up to the present day. The inclusion of multihulls fits perfectly with this perspective, a natural development of an event that has always been characterized by cutting-edge technology. Opening up to other categories allows owners to continue to pursue their passion and may inspire others to do so.”

maxi yacht porto cervo

The oldest competing yachts included the J Class  Velsheda  and the recently restored  Baruna , both dating back to the 1930s. Thomas Bscher’s Baltic 68  Open Season  proved a highlight amongst the newer launches and one which symbolises a movement within sailing design to consider even more closely the environmental impact across all aspects of boat building and performance. Creating fair and exciting competition across such a diverse fleet requires significant race management organization, one the event has long been renowned for. The rating system and division of classes is constructed with this in mind and to provide owners and sailors with the platform to pursue their passion for the sport.

maxi yacht porto cervo

On the water, one of the closest divisions was the eight strong Maxi B group where American yachts  Bella Mente  and  Proteus  broke away to contest the title. Going into what proved to be the regatta’s final race, they were tied on points.  Bella Mente  finished first to cap an impressive week on the water which saw the stellar crew, predominantly together for the past decade, claim two bullets and three second places. Delight for owner Hap Fauth:

“We come every year and it is the pinnacle of our season. This is our fourth victory in eleven years and the hardest fought.”

maxi yacht porto cervo

Even closer was the Supermaxi competition. Only three points separated the top three yachts –  Moat ,  Inoui  and eventual winner  Y3K , the recently launched Wally 101. It marked a return to Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup success for owner Claus-Peter Offen:

“I have been racing here for 25 years. For us it is the highlight of the regatta season. This is where we want to be thanks to the beauty of the area and of the yacht club.”

maxi yacht porto cervo

For the class winners, crowned at the final prizegiving, victory at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is reward for overcoming world-class competition, an intense and challenging racing programme and having prepared in peak form for the pinnacle event in the maxi yacht calendar. The overriding sentiment was an appreciation for an event which always delivers on excellence.

ROLEX AND YACHTING Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand's enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world's most famous harbours. Rolex's partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.

ABOUT ROLEX AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Perpetual watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization. The word ‘Perpetual’ is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered over 600 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.

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For the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Multihulls Are Here

For the first time, the regatta, which has always been for monohulls, will include big catamarans. Capsizing could be an issue.

An overhead view of a white catamaran with two large black sails. It sails on deep blue water that reflects sunlight.

By David Schmidt

Call it a game of speed, tactics, underwater rocks and double the number of hulls.

For the first time in its 43-year history, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup , which begins on Monday in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, will include up to five maxi multihulls. These fast and powerful catamarans, which measure at least 60 feet, bow to stern, can often sail faster than monohulls, but they don’t carry capsize-preventing keels.

This presents a challenge at the Maxi cup. The regatta is known for its coastal courses. These often wend past the Maddalena archipelago’s islands and submerged rocks, and, critically, through Bomb Alley.

This stretch of water, about 15 miles long, separates the archipelago from Sardinia’s north-northeast flank. When the strong northwesterly winds — called the mistrals — blow, Bomb Alley can get boisterous, which should yield exciting, if not scary, racing.

“This is an experiment, really,” said Andrew McIrvine, secretary general of the International Maxi Association , which organizes the regatta with the hosting Yacht Club Costa Smeralda . He said the decision was initiated by a member’s request.

“A lot of Maxi owners are getting a bit long in the tooth, and it will probably extend their racing life by a few years if they can race on a catamaran, rather than hanging on to the back of a Maxi,” he said.

Catamarans have two hulls to create stability, rather than a single narrow hull and a heavy keel. Critically, they generally lean over — or heel — less than a monohull, which makes it easier to move across the yacht during maneuvers. But if the sails are not adjusted to match the wind gusts, multihulls can lose their balance and capsize.

“There’s the old saying about running aground that sometimes gets applied to capsizing big multis: There’s two clubs, those who have and those that will,” said Paul Larsen, who is the race skipper of Allegra, an 84-foot catamaran. “It’s no joke.”

While the risks are real, regatta organizers were clear that they wanted to attract sophisticated racing-focused multihulls.

“There are a lot of horrible caravan multihulls,” McIrvine said, referring to cruising-oriented catamarans. “We won’t just take anything because it’s big, that’s for sure.”

Regatta organizers said that the multihulls would compete in their own class. However, weather depending, the catamarans could sail similar or separate coastal courses as the monohulls, potentially setting up passing situations with the slower-moving monohulls.

“I see the opening up to multihulls as a natural thing, a natural development of an event that has always been characterized by cutting-edge technology,” said Michael Illbruck, commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. “This type of boat entirely fits with the Maxi world.”

Five Maxi-size catamarans initially entered the regatta, the maximum under the event’s rules, but one had a catastrophic fire and another capsized, sustaining season-ending damage.

Unless other Maxi multihulls enter the regatta at the last minute, that leaves three of the multihulls that will race, two of which will be making their racing debut on the Maxi cup’s coastal courses.

Regatta veterans describe these courses as aesthetically pleasing and tactically challenging, and regatta organizers said the islands could also modulate sailing conditions.

“The various courses around the archipelago of La Maddalena offer an area with limited waves when the prevailing mistral wind blows,” said Edoardo Recchi, the club’s secretary general and sports director. “This kind of course fits the characteristics of multihulls better.”

The archipelago’s often flat waters can make for fast sailing, but navigation can also be confined.

“The proximity to land puts real pressure into the decision-making as the consequences could be of far more importance than simply the race result,” Larsen said. “It’s challenging, thrilling and spectacular.”

This places a premium on crew choreography, especially when the mistrals howl.

“All the teams are working with big gear and very high loads, and mistakes can be very costly sailing amongst the archipelago,” said Kinley Fowler , an America’s Cup winner and the sailing team manager of Convexity², a Gunboat 68, describing the forces exerted by the big sails. “This will be exaggerated on the multihulls as we will be going faster, so it means that we will need to be thinking one or two steps ahead the whole time.”

Despite these scrawny margins, multiple teams are hoping for the mistrals.

“I’d prefer a windy regatta,” Larsen said. Of Allegra, he said, “The boat has proven itself to be strong and fast, and the crew know her well.”

Others are also confident about their boat-handling abilities.

“We have a really strong team and are not afraid to push the limits,” Fowler said. While the Maxi cup is the debut regatta for Convexity², Fowler said that the core team had sailed together for years. “Fingers crossed we get to light it up.”

While the three multihulls are fast and powerful, Lord Laidlaw’s Highland Fling 18, a new Gunboat 80, is built for speed. It should be able to sail at more than 30 knots in certain conditions.

“We are definitely on the edge of speed, loads, systems — and my helming ability,” he said, adding that helming a Maxi multihull is much different than a monohull. “Great to be learning something new at 80.”

As for racing the boat through Bomb Alley in a mistral, Lord Laidlaw, who has won his class at this regatta multiple times aboard his previous Highland Fling monohulls, was candid.

“A bit scary, if I am honest,” he said, explaining that the team had taken precautions to prevent capsizing. They include incorporating sail-handling equipment that automatically releases the ropes that control the sails if certain thresholds (loads or heel angle) are surpassed.

As for dealing with a possible capsize, the teams — and the regatta organizers — are prepared.

“We will also be wearing helmets and Kevlar vests with built-in life jackets, something we have never done before,” Lord Laidlaw said.

Recchi, of the yacht club, said safety boats would be on the racecourse. He also said the event would mitigate risk by monitoring weather forecasts and real-time reports, and by selecting courses that best match conditions.

“Additionally, in the event of a major issue, the Coast Guard is on standby with their boats to help, and a towing boat will be also on standby in Porto Cervo,” he said.

There are the submerged rocks to consider, too.

“It is very easy to ground around the northeast of Sardinia,” Lord Laidlaw said. “Many people who cut corners have regretted it.” He admitted that he had twice hit those rocks.

Unlike monohulls with fixed keels, multihulls can retract their daggerboards, which are the vertical underwater foils that enable the boats to sail a straight course. When the daggerboards are down, multihulls often draw as much water as their keelboat counterparts.

When the daggerboards are retracted, multihulls become shallow-draft vessels, which can create tactical advantages on courses that wend past islands and submerged rocks.

“The fact we can raise the boards — where keelboats can’t — might allow us to cut a few corners where there are outlying shallows,” Larsen said. “But this is a high-stakes game.”

Lord Laidlaw said raising the daggerboards on the Highland Fling 18 took seven seconds. But then you can go “sideways, maybe further into the rocks,” he said.

While all teams want a safe regatta, they also want to win.

“Let’s see how tight the racing is,” Fowler said about sailing near the rocks. “We may have to push the limits to get a jump on the competition.”

This wasn’t a one-off assessment.

“When the racing is tight,” Larsen said, “all cards are on the table.”

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33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concludes in Porto Cervo

33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concludes in Porto Cervo

September 9, 2023 - Porto Cervo, Italy -   The 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup , organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of title sponsor Rolex and in collaboration with the International Maxi Association, concluded today in Porto Cervo.  Winners in their respective categories are: Galateia in Maxi A, Bella Mente in Maxi B, Spirit of Lorina in Maxi C, Allegra in the Multihull Class, Y3K in the Supermaxi, and Svea among the J Class.

The Race Committee was left with no choice but to hoist the AP flag for the Maxi C class and stop racing for all other classes. After about an hour of waiting for any thermal breeze to fill in, at 1 p.m. the Race Committee announced that there would be no new start, thus declaring the 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup closed.

Y3K , the brand new Wally 101 owned by YCCS member Claus-Peter Offen , won the Supermaxi class scored using ORCsy on her debut outing, ahead of the Swan 115 MOAT and the Briand 108 INOUI . 

Y3K, the brand new Wally 101 owned by YCCS member Claus-Peter Offen - Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2023 © Alex Turnbull

Karol Jablonski , Offen's trusted tactician of many years, explained how they got there: "We are more than pleased with the result. We only had three days to test the boat and we are very happy with the job Wally Yachts have done. It is all about teamwork and how fast you learn about the new boat. We’ve been improving from day to day. I must admit that conditions in the first three days were perfect for learning about the boat, because it was blowing quite hard. Then we had light breeze conditions, so we had to learn very fast how to sail the boat in the light breeze as well. So it’s a learning process, and we managed well in this first event."

The Multihull Class was scored using ORCmh , included for the first time in this Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. YCCS member Adrian Keller's ALLEGRA triumphed, followed on equal points by HIGHLAND FLING 18 and CONVEXITY 2 . 

YCCS member Adrian Keller's multihull ALLEGRA - Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2023 © Alex Turnbull

Adrian Keller was naturally delighted: "We couldn't have wished for better, the venue is top class, the first two days were great racing, and I think some of our colleagues on the monohulls have understood that catamarans can also be competitive. Some of them have come on board to see what we are doing. I think we will see more participants next year, we have agreed among ourselves to make a joint effort to attract more boats, so it will be even more exciting in the future. A big thank you to Sardinia and the YCCS of which I am a member, wonderful hosts.”

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2023. Photo credit: Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

A packed prize-giving ceremony saw trophies awarded to the top three finishers in the six classes, as well as prizes such as Maxi Yacht Line Honours , which went to Roberto Lacorte's FLYINGNIKKA , for the boat with the best real time in the coastal races. 

The Perpetual Trophy in memory of Commodore Alberini was presented to YCCS member Pier Luigi Loro Piana, owner and helmsman of MY SONG . 

The Paolo Massarini ORC Challenge Trophy , meanwhile, went to Claus-Peter Offen for Y3K 's victory in the Supermaxi class.

YCCS Commodore Michael Illbruck commented: "I would like to thank all the owners and sailors who make this event unique in terms of the standard of the crews and the technological level of the boats, ranging from the majestic J Class yachts to the Multihulls, taking part in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup for the first time this year. It has been a fantastic week, the participants have been able to put themselves to the test in the most varied weather conditions, which have ranged from sustained winds to light breezes."

"Thanks to our partner Rolex for their continued support, to the International Maxi Association for their cooperation, to the Race Committee and to our staff ashore and at sea for contributing to the success of this 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.”

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Video: Highlights from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo

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By Katia Damborsky   11 September 2018

Between 2-8 September, Sardinia’s Porto Cervo saw exhilarating action from two international regatta events.

Last week, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship commenced on the northern coast of Sardinia at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

A fleet of yachts took to the water to compete in thrilling races around the coastline of Porto Cervo, exhibiting quality performance and expert precision.

Yachts sliced through the water head-to-head through Bomb Alley, one of the most favoured locations for racing, and rounded the island of Spargi before heading back towards La Maddalena Archipelago.

maxi yacht porto cervo

In each class respectively, Momo, Topaz, Grande Horace, Lyra, Supernikka and H20 took home first place trophies.

One of the most remarkable victories came from the Wally 77 Lyra, whose scorline comprised five wins and two seconds, despite this being the first time her owner-driver has competed in a regatta.

A fleet of yachts took to the water to compete in thrilling races around the coastline of Porto Cervo

This year marks the 29th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which hosted 41 yachts classified according to their technical abilities competing to take home various titles.

Now, between 9-16 September, a fleet of 115 Swan yachts will gather in Porto Cervo to celebrate the 20th edition of the Rolex Swan Cup.

maxi yacht porto cervo

A gem of the Mediterranean, Porto Cervo has long established its reputation as a superior destination for luxury yacht charters and regattas. Home to a fine selection of superyachts available for charter, Porto Cervo blends authentic Italian culture with the buzz of refined glamour and luxury.

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Perfect breeze for start of 33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

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Press Release

33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concludes in Porto Cervo - Press Release - Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concludes in Porto Cervo

Penultimate day at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - Press Release - Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Penultimate day at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

Third day of perfect conditions at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - Press Release - Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Third day of perfect conditions at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - A challenging and spectacular second say - Press Release - Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - A challenging and spectacular second say

Curtain opens on 33rd edition of Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - Press Release - Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

Curtain opens on 33rd edition of Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

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A fleet of around 50 maxi yachts is due to gather in Porto Cervo from 3rd to 9th September for the 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with title sponsor Rolex and the International Maxi Association.

As always, the fleet will be a varied one, ranging from cruising yachts to pure racers, all with a minimum length of 60 feet (18.3 metres). The boats will be divided into different classes according to type and performance characteristics, with each class producing its own Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup winner.

Courses will be structured to allow competitors to race around the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, enjoying a unique natural backdrop, while the schedule for the more technical classes will also feature windward-leeward courses. Each day, based on the forecast winds, the Race Committee will choose the most suitable course, usually differentiating the length for the various classes so that all competitors end up racing over a similar amount of time. Once the fleet has returned to the docks and completed the usual post-race operations, a range of social events are scheduled ashore for both crews and owners with their guests.

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2023 – Preview

Completely new to the event for this year will be a division reserved for the increasingly popular class of multihull yachts. Enrolled for this debut outing are: Allegra, a custom design by Nigel Irens owned by YCCS member Adrian Keller and winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race in her class, the Gunboat 80 Highland Fling 18 owned by YCCS member Lord Irvine Laidlaw, and the Gunboat 68 Convexity 2.

The 33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will also host the regatta debut of Y3K, a brand new Wally 101 owned by club member Claus-Peter Offen, which will compete against fellow supermaxi yachts such as the Swan 115 Moat, the Spirit 111 Geist, the Maxi Dolphin Viriella, and Inoui, all topping 30 metres in length and regular participants in YCCS regattas.

The magnificent J Class yachts will once again return to grace the waters of the Costa Smeralda for the occasion. Measuring over 40 metres in length, these classic designs were the stars of the America’s Cups of the 1930s. Their elegant, slender forms embody the classic idea of a sailing yacht in the collective imagination, and “the Js” always attract a great deal of admiration whether on the quayside or the race course. This year Svea, Topaz and Velsheda will be sailing on the waters off Porto Cervo.

Classic lines are not reserved solely to the J Class, however, as this edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will feature Baruna of 1938, a 22-metre hull designed by the renowned Sparkman & Stephens studio, fresh from a major and lengthy restoration.

Moving from the world of yachting of the past to that of the present and a flurry of recent projects, the entry list includes the Wally 93 Bullitt, owned by YCCS member Andrea Recordati, and the ClubSwan 80 My Song owned by another YCCS member, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, which returns to Porto Cervo after her debut at the event last year.

As always, such high-profile yachts are crewed by top-level sailors including some of the yachting world’s greatest champions. During the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the docks at the YCCS are guaranteed to present a veritable who’s who of the elite of international sailing, attracting not only owners and sailors, but many of the leading names in international yacht design.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will conclude on 9th September, while the YCCS season will continue with two events dedicated to the International 5.5 Metre Class, the Scandinavian Gold Cup, which is part of the historical fabric of this former Olympic class, followed by the World Championship from 24th to 29th September.

More information at  www.yccs.it

  • Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

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Maxis hit home stretch in Porto Cervo

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Written by Rachael Steele

The final day of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup approaches and fair weather coupled with mixed fortunes for the regatta favourites has left the top spots in most categories up for the taking. First time MYRC racer WINWIN has seen success in recent regattas but is holding on tenuously to her lead against INOUI  in the supermaxi division. Read on for more details: the following is a press release from Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Press Release

MAXIS HIT HOME STRETCH IN PORTO CERVO

Open Season, Bella Mente, WinWin, Leopard 3, My Song, Atalanta II, Wallyño and Grande Orazio lead

Porto Cervo, Italy. 9th September 2016. An intense penultimate day at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex 72 World Championship left most of the competing divisions with everything to play for in tomorrow’s grand finale. All divisions sailed coastal courses today, with the Maxi 72 and Wally classes completing two races around the islands off Porto Cervo. The breeze of around 10 knots on the starting line hit 15 at some points along the course but began to die out later in the afternoon with some of the courses being shortened to ensure a fair race for all competitors. Racing in the event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with the International Maxi Association is scheduled to conclude Saturday 10th September.

OpenSeason_Wally_2016

Open Season – Wally, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship 2016. Photo Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Despite breaking her winning streak today, Thomas Bscher’s Open Season remains firmly at the helm of the division with a seven point lead over Tango G – winner of today’s second race. Y3K claimed her first bullet of the week in the final race of the day but remains in fifth place overall. The Wally 77 Lyra posted a 7-3 scoreline today and remains in third place overall, on equal points with J One, owned by Jean Charles Decaux, in third place. Although Open Season will be hard to beat, the scheduled windward leeward races could reshuffle the cards in this 13-boat division, the largest in the event.

Jochen Schuemann, tactician on Open Season: “So far so good. We have had very good, clear starts and at the moment we have a good lead. Our direct opponent Magic Carpet has been unlucky this week, otherwise they probably would be closer. We are looking forward to some up and down courses tomorrow which usually are quite good for us. Today the wind helped the small boats to beat the bigger boats and that’s how it is in sailing sometimes. We sailed a very good race even though we finished eighth – but we are not worried about that result.”

Maxi 72 Bella Mente also had mixed fortunes today with a fifth and a first place in the two short coastal races. The American boat with strategist Adrian Stead now sits four points ahead of Momo, Markus Weiser on tactics. Roberto Tomasini’s Robertissima is less than one point behind in third place. With two windward leewards scheduled for the final day, every tack and gybe will count in the battle for the title of Rolex Maxi 72 World Champion 2016.

The 33-metre Baltic WinWin, launched in 2014 and participating in the Maxi event for the first time, has lead the SuperMaxi group from the off, but with just a four point lead over last year’s winner Inoui, the newcomer cannot afford to rest on her laurels tomorrow. The J-Class Velsheda, in third place on equal points with Inoui, will also be battling for a top spot along with Nikata, just one point behind in fourth.

Maxi Racing

The match between the two racing machines in this division, George David’s Rambler 88 and Mike Slade’s Leopard 3, will come down to the line tomorrow. After taking her second consecutive bullet today, Leopard now sits one point ahead of Rambler, meaning that the victor in tomorrow’s race will also claim the division win.

Maxi Racing Cruising

Second today by just five seconds in corrected time, Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s My Song continues to lead overall. A five point delta in this 7-boat division will leave tactician Tommaso Chieffi feeling fairly confident but not totally safe. The battle for runner-up places will be an interesting one between today’s winner Alpina, third-placed Altair-Aegir, Grande Orazio in fourth and Windfall in fifth – all separated by just three points.

Mini Maxi Racing

The Farr 70 Atalanta II claimed her second win today to move up to pole position in the division. The final result will all come down to the line tomorrow as Bryon Ehrhart’s Lucky sits just one point behind, followed closely by Prospector in third place.

Mini Maxi Racing Cruising

Wallyño’s second win of the series consolidated her position at the top of the Mini Maxi Racing Cruising fleet. Meanwhile a second place finish for Arobas today sees her hold on to third place, now on equal points with H2O in second.

Southern Wind

Windfall finally relinquished the lead she has held throughout the week as Massimiliano Florio’s SWS 82 Grande Orazio moved up to the top spot overall. With just one point between the two, tomorrow’s race will be decisive.

My Song - Maxi Racing Cruising, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship 2016. Photo Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

My Song – Maxi Racing Cruising, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship 2016. Photo Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Wallyño - Mini Maxi Racing Cruising, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship 2016. Photo Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Wallyño – Mini Maxi Racing Cruising, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship 2016. Photo Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Prior to what promises to be an adrenaline-filled final day, owners are relaxing this evening at the Rolex Gala Dinner at the Cala di Volpe Hotel, while proceedings will conclude with the prize giving ceremony in Piazza Azzurra tomorrow afternoon.

The Maxi fleet is scheduled to be on the regatta course tomorrow, Saturday 10th September, for a first warning signal at 11.30 a.m. Light winds of approximately 10 knots are forecast.

During the regatta daily releases, photos and video content will be available on www.yccs.com and via the Rolex Pressroom. For updates on social media #MaxiRolexCup.

PROVISIONAL RESULTS at 9th September 2016 WALLY Position. Boat (R1, R2, R3,R4, R5, (DISCARD)) – Total 1. Open Season (1,1,1,2,(8)) – 5 2. Tango G (4,2,5, (8),1) – 12 3. Lyra (2,4,(8),7,3) – 16

MAXI 72 Position. Boat (R1, R2, R3,R4, R5, (DISCARD)) – Total 1. Bella Mente (1,2.5,2.5, (5), 1.25) – 7.25 2. Momo (4,1,3.75,2.5,(6.25)) – 11.25 3. Robertissima (3,2.5,1.25,(7.5),5) – 11.75

SUPERMAXI Position. Boat (R1,R2,R3) – Total 1. WinWin (1,2,4) – 7 2. Inoui (7,1,3) – 11 3. Velsheda (4,5,2) – 11

MAXI RACING Position. Boat (R1,R2,R3) – Total 1. Leopard 3 (2,1,1) – 4 2. Rambler 88 (1,2,2) – 5

MAXI RACING CRUISING Position. Boat (R1,R2,R3) – Total 1. My Song (1,1,2) – 4 2. Alpina (6,2,1) – 9 3. Altair – Aegir (4,3,3) – 10

MINI MAXI RACING Position. Boat (R1,R2,R3) – Total 1. Atalanta II (4,1,1) – 6 2. Lucky (2,2,3) – 7 3. Prospector (1,6(DNF),2) – 9

MINI MAXI RACING/CRUISING Position. Boat (R1,R2,R3) – Total 1. Wallyño (2.2,1,1) – 4.2 2. H2O (1.2,4,3) – 8.2 3. Arobas (4.2,2,2) – 8.2

SOUTHERN WIND Position. Boat (R1,R2,R3) – Total 1. Grande Orazio (3,4,4) – 11 2. Windfall (2,5,5) – 12 3. Blues (5,7,7) – 1

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33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concludes in Porto Cervo

Porto Cervo, 9 September 2023 // Published by the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup here

The 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of title sponsor Rolex and in collaboration with the International Maxi Association, concluded today in Porto Cervo.  For the last day of racing the Race Committee had moved the start forward to 11 a.m., with the intention of having all classes complete a coastal race of approximately 21 miles, circumnavigating the islands of Mortoriotto and Soffi in a clockwise direction. All classes, with the exception of the Maxi C, the last in the starting sequence, got off to a steady start in about 6 to 7 knots of north-westerly wind, which soon began to fade. The Race Committee was left with no choice but to hoist the AP flag for the Maxi C class and stop racing for all other classes. After about an hour of waiting for any thermal breeze to fill in, at 1 p.m. the Race Committee announced that there would be no new start, thus declaring the 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup closed. In the Maxi A Class, David Leuschen and Chris Flowers’ WallyCento Galateia won with a clear lead over Leopard 3 and Bullitt, which must be credited with an excellent comeback after retiring on the first race day. Yesterday, due to a calculation error, Bullitt was wrongly classified as having finished in second place. On his return to the dock, David Leuschen commented: “It has been an exceptional week, the key factors for our success have been our consistency, nothing but second- and third-place finishes, and our starts, probably the best we have ever had in a regatta. Winning the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is an extraordinary achievement, for us it’s like the Holy Grail, so we feel very good.” Bella Mente, with 2 wins and 3 second places is the winner of the Maxi B Class, 3 points ahead of Proteus, the initial class leader, and 6 ahead of Pepe Cannonball in third. Owner Hap Fauth, who is also Team Principal of American Magic, the New York Yacht Club’s challenger for the 37th America’s Cup, was delighted with the victory: “I fell very attached to the regattas held here in Porto Cervo, this victory has a special meaning for me, because the years are going by and I’m not a kid anymore. This is the fourth time we have won the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, our first was in 2012, followed by victories in 2015 and 2016. This year we were confident that we had a competitive boat and we lived up to those expectations, but it wasn’t a piece of cake, by day four we were tied with Proteus, an excellent team.” 

maxi yacht porto cervo

A packed prize-giving ceremony saw trophies awarded to the top three finishers in the six classes, as well as prizes such as Maxi Yacht Line Honours, which went to Roberto Lacorte’s FlyingNikka, for the boat with the best real time in the coastal races. The Perpetual Trophy in memory of Commodore Alberini was presented to YCCS member Pier Luigi Loro Piana, owner and helmsman of My Song. The Paolo Massarini ORC Challenge Trophy, meanwhile, went to Claus-Peter Offen for Y3K’s victory in the Supermaxi class. YCCS Commodore Michael Illbruck commented: “I would like to thank all the owners and sailors who make this event unique in terms of the standard of the crews and the technological level of the boats, ranging from the majestic J Class yachts to the Multihulls, taking part in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup for the first time this year. It has been a fantastic week, the participants have been able to put themselves to the test in the most varied weather conditions, which have ranged from sustained winds to light breezes. Thanks to our partner Rolex for their continued support, to the International Maxi Association for their cooperation, to the Race Committee and to our staff ashore and at sea for contributing to the success of this 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.”

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda used MarkSetBot robotic buoys for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which maintain their position thanks to an electric motor combined with a GPS system, eliminating the need for anchors on the seabed. In its drive to make its events ever-more sustainable, the YCCS obtained Gold Clean Regattas certification from Sailors for the Sea for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.

The 34th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will take place from 8th to 14th September 2024. The next regattas on the YCCS calendar will be dedicated to the International 5.5 Metre Class: first the Scandinavian Gold Cup, running from 20th to 24th September, followed by the World Championship from 24th to 29th September. For further information,  results ,  entry list ,  programme ,  news ,  photos , please visit the  YCCS website , the  section dedicated to the event , or contact the  Press Office .

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Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: Triumph in Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Key points:

  • The 33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concluded in Porto Cervo, Sardinia
  • Winners in different classes included WallyCento Galateia, Bella Mente, Spirit of Lorina, Allegra, Y3K, and Svea
  • The event showcased competitive sailing and challenging weather conditions

The 33rd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concluded in Porto Cervo after a week of exciting racing. The event, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of Rolex, featured a diverse range of yacht classes competing in various challenging conditions. In the Maxi A Class, WallyCento Galateia emerged as the winner, while Bella Mente took the top spot in the Maxi B Class. Spirit of Lorina dominated the Maxi C Class, and Svea achieved a perfect run of wins in the J Class. The event also introduced a Multihull Class, with Allegra emerging as the winner.

The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

sail-world.com • Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

33rd Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup concludes in Porto Cervo

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31st Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup at Porto Cervo - Day 3

Two Supermaxis glide through the scenic beauty of the Maddalena Archipelago on day 3 of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2021 - photo © Studio Borlenghi / Rolex

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THIS IS PORTO CERVO

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Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup | 03 - 09 September 2023

Discover the costa smeralda where natural beauty meets luxury italian lifestyle.

This Is Porto Cervo is your guide to the exclusive life in Porto Cervo. Discover elegant hotels, the finest Italian cuisine, an extravagant nightlife and vibrant events along the northeast coast of Sardinia.

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How To Stay

Exclusive hotels & resorts, private luxury villas and centrally located penthouses await you during your stay on the Costa Smeralda.

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Porto Cervo combines the most renowned brands worldwide with local signature restaurants and bars, creating the perfect mix of true Italian and international atmosphere.

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Extravagant parties are taking place in extraordinary locations creating unforgettable memories on the Costa Smeralda.

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Beach Clubs

Enjoy the beach day in the style of the Costa Smeralda. Discover the exclusive beach clubs around Porto Cervo.

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Discover the most prestigious regattas, car festivals, sport events and seasonal specials in and around Porto Cervo.

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The most renowned brands out of fashion and lifestyle are located in the center of the Costa Smeralda paired with playful concepts during the summertime.

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In addition to water sports, the beautiful nature of the Costa Smeralda offers a breathtaking panorama for exclusive sports and one of the most prestigious sailing areas in the world.

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Marinas & Airports

In addition to the most exclusive marinas in the Mediterranean, the Costa Smeralda offers a famous heliport in the hills of Porto Cervo and an elegant private airport.

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IMAGES

  1. Conclusa a Porto Cervo la trentesima edizione della Maxi Yacht Rolex

    maxi yacht porto cervo

  2. Gallery: Stunning images from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo

    maxi yacht porto cervo

  3. Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup & Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship

    maxi yacht porto cervo

  4. Gallery: Stunning images from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo

    maxi yacht porto cervo

  5. Photo credit: Rolex/Borlenghi

    maxi yacht porto cervo

  6. Gallery: Stunning images from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo

    maxi yacht porto cervo

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