Saturday in Porto Cervo, located in the fabulous Sardinia yacht charter destination, the Costa Smeralda, saw the final day of the Maxi Yacht Rolext Cup and Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship, with the fleet of sailing yacht racing in eighteen knots of scirocco wind, resulting in an exciting last day of the race. The 26th edition of the regatta attracted 40 yachts between 18 to 66 metres this year, and was organised by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with the main sponsor Rolex and the International Maxi Association. Sailing Yachts INOUI, WINDFALL, SUPERNIKKA, H20, OPEN SEASON and BELLA MENTE have enjoyed victories in their divisions.
Inoui (Supermaxi) – Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2015 ©Carlo Borlenghi:Rolex
Hap Fauth’s sailing yacht Bella Mente, with a bullet and a third place in today’s two windward-leeward races, was announced Rolex Maxi 72 World Champion 2015. The American team which boasts Terry Hutchinson on tactics managed to whisk victory from the grasp of Roberto Tomasini Grinover with his Robertissima III yacht by just one point. Dieter Schön’s yacht Momo achieved 3rd place in her premier on the waters of the stunning Costa Smeralda.
“It was just fantastic.The level of competition was so high and everyone had fun. We had a great time and the organization and hospitality was excellent.” said Hap Fauth
Comanche (Maxi Racing) – Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2015 ©Carlo Borlenghi:Rolex
At the end of a coastal course of around 30 nautical miles Marco Vogele’s 33-metre sailing yacht Inoui also celebrated her victory over super yacht Viriella and Hetairos respectively in the Supermaxi division. Newly elected IMA President Thomas Bscher was also celebrating in the Wally division as his Open Season yacht rounded off a week of almost-perfect results with a 2nd place in today’s race to claim overall victory in the Wally division. After an exciting race for 2nd place throughout the week, yacht Magic Carpet Cubed, owned by Sir Lindsay Owen Jones, took the silver prize with J One yacht in third place on equal points.
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2015
The record-breaking 100-foot sailing yacht Comanche, owned by Jim and Kristy Hinze-Clark, gave fantastic performances throughout the week and it is believed that she will be joined by a number of more pure racing machines for the next edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
In the Maxi division, which together with the Mini Maxis completed a slightly shorter coastal course, The Southern Wind yacht Windfall, owned by Michael Cotter was enjoying the Rolex prize and timepiece. Following an event-long leadership battle, Masimiliano Florio’s yacht Grande Orazio Pioneer Investments arrived in second place, just one point behind. The Swan 77 Tugela rounded off with the 3rd place.
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2015
Thanks to a victory in today’s race Riccardo di Michele’s sailing yacht H2O managed to beat Shirlaf on countback as both yachts ended with the same score. 3rd place in the Mini Maxi RC/SOT division went to Wallyño yacht. The Mini Maxi Racing Division saw Roberto Lacorte’s 2015-launched Supernikka perform consistently well throughout the week to take first place overall ahead of Britain’s Spectre and Maximilian Klink’s Caro.
“It may seem redundant to say that this was a wonderful event – the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is always a highlight of our sporting calendar – however this 26th edition of the regatta was truly exceptional.” Commented YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo “The fleet, the owners and the crews were all of an incredibly high standard and mother nature stepped in to provide almost perfect conditions.”
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2015
Already excited about the next Maxi event Bonadeo continued “The conclusion of a perfect event seems the perfect time to invite you all, if you haven’t already done so, to enrol for the very first edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Caribbean Cup taking place in April 2016 at our Caribbean home in Virgin Gorda where we are lucky enough to have another beautiful regatta course and constant trade winds.”
The YCCS calendar in the Mediterranean continues with the Sailing Champions League final which will see teams from across Europe and beyond competing on J70 boats from 18th to 20th September.
