Exciting Winds and Intense Rivalry Anticipated at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex IMA Maxi 1 Worlds

Big Breeze and Hot Competition Forecast for Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex IMA Maxi 1 Worlds

8-14 September 2024

The largest maxis on the outer dock in Porto Cervo, awaiting the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup start © James Boyd / IMA

With predictions of 20+ knots and gale-force gusts, crews and the race management team at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda are poised for an intense week at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, a highlight event in the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

Racing is slated to kick off for the 43-boat fleet at 1200 on Monday, September 9, and will continue until Saturday, September 14, with a lay day scheduled for Thursday. However, the winds on Monday, expected to be between 25-30 knots with gusts reaching up to 40+, could delay the start of racing.

“It is looking windy,” confirmed Simon Fisher, navigator on Galateia. “A front is coming through tonight with a Mistral expected on Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, conditions should improve for sailing, but forecasts indicate strong winds later in the week.”

Many grand prix maxi yachts have been optimized for inshore racing, lacking reefs, which makes them struggle in winds above 25 knots. Additionally, there are risks involved in entering Porto Cervo’s harbor during a westerly gale.

Despite weather challenges, the competition is set to be fierce across all six classes. For the first time, the Maxi 1 class (IRC TCC 1.700-2.200; LH <30.50m/100ft) will compete for their own World Championship, awarded exclusively to the IMA by World Sailing. Ten boats, including five 100-footers, will vie for the IMA Maxi 1 World Championship, among them the defending champion Galateia and notable contenders such as Leopard 3 and SHK Scallywag, both highly rated in Maxi 1.

“World Championships offer a unique experience,” stated V’s tactician Ken Read. “They bring added pressure and heightened expectations, prompting teams to enhance their preparation.”

The competition’s intensity could work to the advantage of the smaller Maxi 1 yachts. These include the Wally 93 Bullitt, winner of the previous year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race, and Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s Club Swan 80 My Song. Other notable entries include Wendy Schmidt’s 85ft racer Deep Blue and the 82ft Django HF, which has been modified with a trim tab and additional ballast for improved performance.

The newcomer to watch is Alessandro Del Bono’s Capricorno, an 82-footer designed by Vrolijk and participating in her first race after the team’s success in the 2022 IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

Among the four former Maxi 72s in the Maxi 2 class, this year’s lineup is highly competitive. While 2023 winner Hap Fauth is absent due to commitments with his American Magic team, Peter Harrison’s Jolt, formerly Dario Ferrari’s Cannonball, aims to regain the title but may face stiff competition from George Sakellaris’ Proteus.

With varying hull configurations among the four competitors, all could potentially win. Notably, Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou, at 77ft, is the longest in this group and comes off a strong performance in the IMA Maxi Europeans and Loro Piana Giraglia events.

Despite her age, the former Capricorno, now Alex Laing and Marco Malgara’s Nice, is expected to perform well, along with Aldo Parisotto’s Mylius 65 FD Oscar 3, which placed third in last year’s class.

Favorite for Maxi 4 is Riccardo de Michele’s 78ft H20, a multiple winner in the past, but Giuseppe Puttini’s Swan 65 ketch Shirlaf remains a formidable opponent, having won the Regata dei Tre Golfi.

IMA President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wally 60 Wallyño, a two-time winner of the IMA’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge, will also compete, having finished fifth last year.

A strong contender in the smaller Maxi class this year is Jean-Pierre Barjon’s 65ft Spirit of Lorina, who returns after a victorious run in the previous IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, feeling confident in challenging weather.

All top ten contenders from last year have returned, highlighting the competitive nature of this event, with crews traveling from around the globe, including Craig Clifford’s team on the Vismara 80 Luce Guida, who have flown in from Australia.

In the Super Maxi class, which will race under ORCsy, five entries, including the iconic Js Velsheda and Svea, will compete. Svea, based on a design from 1937, dominated last year, winning all six of its races.

The competition among contemporary maxis will witness a face-off between Claus Peter Offen’s Wally 101 y3k, last year’s Super Maxi class winner, and Juan Ball’s Swan 115 Moat.

For the second consecutive year, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will feature a Multihull class, showcasing a catamaran battle between Adrian Keller’s Allegra and Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s Gunboat 80 Highland Fling 18.

With high expectations and fierce competition on the water, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is set to provide exhilarating racing and significant challenges for all teams involved.