The 31st edition of the event goes to the archive confirming the winners of the boats already in command in their respective categories
PORTO CERVO. The 31st Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of the title sponsor Rolex and the International Maxi Association, ended with the winners of those who were already at the top of the standings. The very light and unstable breeze conditions did not allow the final coastal test to take place, despite the commitment of the Race Committee which had prepared two different routes to make the most of the weather conditions.
After a further consultation with the meteorologists about the possibility of greater wind pressure, at 1.10 pm the Principal Race Officer Peter Craig sent the competitors back to port declaring the event over. Luca Scoppa’s Mini Maxi Blue Oyster, tactician Roberto Ferrarese, approached the boat of the Race Committee for an applause, while the rest of the fleet received thanks for their efforts over the radio.
The Mini Maxi 1 in order: Cannonball, Vesper, Proteus, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2021. In the Supermaxi division, the J Class Velsheda, tactician Mike Toppa, with three first and one second place wins ahead of the other J Class, Topaz, with Peter Holmberg at the helm and Francesco De Angelis at tactics. The two J Class have always raced in close contact throughout the week, the duel of tacking in the La Maddalena channel during the third day will remain in the annals. Third place for Geist, Christian Oldendorff’s 111-foot Spirit of Tradition yacht.
The Maxi division sees two YCCS members at the top, first place for Sir Lindsay Owen Jones’s WallyCento Magic Carpet 3, tactician Jochen Schuemann, ahead of Claus-Peter Offen’s Y3K, tactician Karol Jablonski. Third position for the other WallyCento present, Galateia by David Leuschen, Murray Jones tactician. A particular mention of merit goes to Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s Highland Fling XI with Bouwe Bekking on tactics, forced to the foot of the podium by the break of the forestay attack, and consequent withdrawal, during the fourth day. However, today 11 September the yacht was once again ready to do battle, after having carried out a technically complex repair.
In the Mini Maxi 1, the close duels between the five Maxi72 Classes present were the protagonists. On the top step of the podium is Cannonball of Dario Ferrari, tactician Vasco Vascotto, followed just two points by Jim Swartz’s Vesper, tactician Gavin Brady. The high level of this class is confirmed by the third classified, Proteus, one point behind Vesper and equal to the fourth, Bella Mente. Capricorn of Alessandro Del Bono, tactician Flavio Favini together with a crew that made the history of Italian offshore sailing, wins the Mini Maxi 2 ahead of Luciano Gandini’s Mylius 76 Soul B and Jean Pierre Barjon’s Swan 601 Lorina 1895. Capricorn is also the first holder of the perpetual trophy dedicated to the memory of the sailor Paolo Massarini, awarded to the winner of the largest class.
Between the Mini Maxi 3 and 4, Hamish Pepper tactician Terry Hui’s Wally 77 Lyra had already mathematically won on Thursday, when he scored his fourth consecutive partial victory. Second place for Luca Scoppa’s Blue Oyster followed by just one point from the 78-foot H2O of YCCS member Riccardo de Michele, assisted in tactics by Lorenzo Bodini. The perpetual trophy dedicated to the memory of the first YCCS Commodore, Gianfranco Alberini, was delivered to Vincenzo Addessi’s yacht Fra ‘Diavolo. Capricorn winner of the Mini Maxi 2 Division in Passo delle Bisce, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2021.
The 31st Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup ended with the award ceremony in the presence of the President of the YCCS Board of Directors, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, of the President of Rolex Italia, Gian Riccardo Marini, of the President of the IMA, Benoît de Froidmont.