Contrasting the light conditions prevalent during Day 1 of competing at the currently running Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, were bold statements of intent laid down in the six competition classes.
Wally Class at the start - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Following a delayed start to racing, all yachts were dispersed on a coastal course of either 25 or 17-nm in length, both of which comprised classic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup landmarks: a passage through Capo Ferro and roundings of Monaci and Secca di Tre Monti before the return to the finish in Porto Cervo.
Day 1 winners were: sailing yacht Alegre (GBR) in the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship; superyacht Velsheda (SUI) in J-Class; sailing yacht Highland Fling (MON) in Maxi; luxury yacht Altair (ITA) in Maxi Racing/Cruising; superyacht Nilaya (GBR) in Supermaxi and J-One (GBR) in Wally.
Luxury yacht Windfall Pioneer Investments chased by superyacht Nilaya during the first coastal race - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
In the eagerly anticipated first race of the fourth Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship the new 72-ft luxury yacht Alegre, making her competition bow, claimed the morale-boosting first bullet. In such a competitive Class the focus is on accuracy from the very outset. “The starts are ultimate. If you get it right, it’s your race to lose,” revealed Hap Fauth, owner of defending champion sailing yacht Bella Mente (USA). Prophetic words as Alegre, following a textbook start, stole a march on the fleet in a race characterized by a consistent 7-8 knot breeze. “It was pretty light but quite steady,” explained tactician Chris Main. “It was a tough course in that sort of breeze. We got a good start, and led by 30 seconds at the first mark and as the boat reaches quite well we just stretched away. This week will be about consistency, we need to keep putting in results and make sure we don’t have a bad one.”
Consistency is a byword of Niklas Zennstrom’s 2010 and 2011 Mini Maxi Rolex World Champion luxury yacht Ran 2 (GBR) who finished second on Day 1 with yacht Shockwave (USA) in third. Bella Mente endured a frustrating day finishing down in ninth. She has positions to claw back today. The fleet of seven Wallys shared the same 25-nm course. Sir Charles Dunstone’s superyacht Hamilton (GBR) was fastest on the water, while former champion J-One (GBR) claimed the first bullet of the week.
Superyacht Velsheda Winner in the J Class in the first day of racing in Porto Cervo - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
The graceful J-Class yachts also enjoyed their first race of the week. Of the four-strong fleet charter yacht Shamrock and luxury yacht Velsheda are restorations of original designs, both in excess of 80 years old, while superyacht Rainbow and charter yacht Ranger are authentic replicas of original boats destroyed for metal during the Second World War.
The 136-ft Ranger has an outstanding record in Porto Cervo, having taken the Class title in all three of her previous appearances. After a three-year absence from the competition, John Williams and his crew are in search of a fourth victory.
“This is one of our favourite venues,” explained Williams. “The seas are very flat, a good venue for J-boats. However, as the biggest, heaviest of the J-Class boats we need wind to be able to sail effectively, typically 14-15 knots. The other boats tend to do better in lighter air.” So it proved in today’s light airs with Ranger trailing behind Rainbow and eventual winner Velsheda.
Super maxi and J classes sail pass Capo Ferro during the first day of racing - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
There are significant challenges in sailing such large, complex, historic boats, typically sailed by a crew of around 35, on a race circuit known for its considerable tactical junctures. “You’ve got something that’s incredibly powerful and heavy and not that responsive,” reflected Velsheda’s tactician Tom Dodson.
“You’ve got to think about manoeuvres many minutes ahead. On some of lighter boats you can change your mind, make an adjustment, respond to other boats quite quickly. We enjoy close racing and have to be very mindful dealing with equipment that is incredibly valuable and doesn’t respond that quickly. However, none of us want to simply nurse the boats around the course. We want to push it in the gap, that’s the challenge.”
Filip Balcaen’s 112-ft superyacht Nilaya (GBR) stretched her winning run at the competition to six races, stretching back to 2011, in the Supermaxi Class. Highland Fling, Maxi Racing champion in 2011, claimed the first Class bullet ahead of Morning Glory returning to the event after an absence of six years.
Racing continues today with windward/leeward courses planned for the Mini Maxi and Wally classes, and a coastal race for all other classes.
2013 MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP – PROVISIONAL RESULTS DAY 1
Position, Boat Name, Boat Owner, Race 1 – Total Points
Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship
1. Alegre (GBR), Andy Soriano, 1; 1
2. Ran 2 (GBR), Niklas Zennstrom 2; 2
3. Shockwave (USA), George Sakellaris 3; 3
Maxi Racing
1. HIGHLAND FLING (MON), Irvine Laidlaw, 1; 1
2. MORNING GLORY (GER), Hasso Plattner, 2; 2
Maxi Racer / Cruiser
1. ALTAIR (ITA), Paolo Scerni, 1; 1
2. NEFERTITI (GBR), Anders Nordquist, 2; 2
3. FREYA (USA), Donald Macpherson, 3; 3
J-Class
1. Velsheda (SUI), Tarbat Investment Ltd, 1; 1
2. RAINBOW (NED), Chris Gongriep, 2; 2
3. Ranger (CAY), RSV Ltd, 3; 3
Supermaxi
1. NILAYA (GBR), Filip Balcaen, 1; 1
2. FIREFLY (NED), Eric Bijlsma, 2; 2
3. ONLY NOW (TUR), Chelsea Yachting Ltd., 3; 3
Wally
1. J ONE (GBR), Jean Charles Decaux, 1; 1
2. Y3K (GER), Claus Peter Offen, 2; 2
3. INTI (ITA), Lauro Buoro, 3; 3
