34th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Launches in Porto Cervo
34th Edition of Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Begins in Porto Cervo
8-14 September 2024
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2023 © Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi
The 34th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup officially opens today, 8th September 2024, featuring the Skipper’s Briefing followed by the traditional Welcome Cocktail at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
This prestigious regatta is exclusively for yachts over 60 feet (18.30 metres) in length and is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in collaboration with the International Maxi Association (IMA). This year also marks a significant milestone, as it celebrates 40 years of partnership with title sponsor Rolex.
A new highlight for this year is the inaugural Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship, reserved for the fastest Maxi yachts with an IRC time correction coefficient (TCC) of 1.700 and above. The event is set to kick off with 44 maxi yachts ready to compete against the stunning backdrop of the La Maddalena Archipelago. This diverse fleet includes the 18-metre Blue Oyster and the impressive 44-metre J Class yachts, including Svea, the largest entrant.
The YCCS and Rolex are proud to celebrate their enduring partnership, built on shared values of excellence, innovation, and respect for the sea. A significant part of this collaboration involves nurturing the next generation of sailors. This year, three up-and-coming athletes from the Young Azzurra sports programme will race aboard maxi yachts owned by YCCS members. These athletes include reigning Wingfoil world champion Maddalena Spanu, iQFOiL junior world champion Federico Pilloni, and talented ILCA 7 sailor Cesare Barabino.
The competing yachts have been categorized into classes based on their type and performance, with course times compensated according to each yacht’s specific rating. The Race Committee will determine the most suitable course for each class daily, considering boat characteristics and weather conditions. Coastal courses will traverse the La Maddalena Archipelago, while the pure racers in the Maxi 1 and 2 classes will face windward-leeward courses. A total of six different starts are planned for the divisions: Maxi 1, 2, 3, 4, Supermaxi, and Multihull.
Ten teams will compete in the first Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship, with many having trained in Porto Cervo. Notable entrants include Bullitt, owned by YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati; Capricorno, a new 82-footer making her regatta debut; Deep Blue, owned by philanthropist Wendy Schmidt; and Django HF, owned by YCCS member Giovanni Lombardi Stronati. Each crew features renowned sailors, including tacticians with Olympic backgrounds and world champion experience.
Competition promises to be intense across all classes. The Maxi 2 class includes former Maxi72 racers now under IRC, featuring contenders like Proteus and Jethou. The Supermaxi class yachts will race under the ORCsy rating, showcasing giants like the Swan 115 Moat and two J Class yachts, Velsheda and Svea, crewed by leading sailors.
The Maxi 3 and Maxi 4 classes include several notable yachts, while the Multihull class features Highland Fling 18, Allegra, and Gunboat 66 Gaetana, helmed by accomplished international sailors as tacticians.
Beyond the thrilling on-water competition, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup offers an engaging social program off the water. Crews will gather in Piazza Azzurra for post-race refreshments, with the Rolex Gala Dinner slated for Thursday, 12th September, in the charming village of San Pantaleo. The Crew Party will follow the next evening, and the event will culminate with a prize-giving ceremony on 14th September at 5:30 p.m.
In other news, Win Win experienced a grounding on a shoal yesterday, but fortunately, there were no serious consequences for the crew. However, the yacht will not participate in this year’s regatta. Racing is set to commence tomorrow, 9th September, at 12:00 p.m. CEST, with strong westerly winds of 26 to 28 knots expected.
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.