Tuesday marks the start of racing at the eagerly-anticipated 2011 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. A typically extravagant week is in store: the 47-strong multinational fleet present at this year’s regatta is the second largest in the event’s history. These multifarious crews arrive on the back of some starkly contrasting seasons. Having tackled offshore endurance events such as the Giraglia Rolex Cup and the Rolex Fastnet Race, the campaign has been intense and, at times, gruelling for certain crews. For others, the build up to the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has been less strenuous and the sole focus has been to arrive in Porto Cervo in prime condition. One common theme unites all sailors in attendance: the desire to totally immerse themselves in the tantalising courses and scenery that penetrate the Costa Smeralda.
Racing takes place from 6-10 September and the 47 expected entrants is just shy of last year’s record of 49 yachts – another impressive gathering for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), event organiser, in conjunction with the International Maxi Association (IMA). The Mini Maxis (yachts from 18.29-24.08 metres) make up 17 of this year’s fleet and will compete in the second running of the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship where two of the Swan fleet, Swan 60 Vertical Smile and Swan 601 @robas will compete. This Championship comprises a maximum of eight races, with a scheduled minimum of four windward/leeward races and two coastal races of no more than 70-nautical miles.
The other Maxi categories are equally well represented, comprising 21 Maxi yachts (those from 24.09-30.5m), including Berenice, Swan 80 and 3 Swan 90s, DSK Pioneer Investment, Kora 5 and Solleone. For these classes the maximum number of races is seven, featuring a selection of coastal and windward/leeward courses.
Racing commences on Tuesday 6 September and concludes on Saturday 10 September. Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, along with the IMA and title sponsor Rolex, will provide a lavish array of first class social events including Saturday's final Prize Giving Ceremony, where the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup trophies and Rolex timepieces will be awarded.
Peter Lerbrandt, first time competitor on the Swan Maxi Circuit with his new Swan 60, Vertical Smile, is looking forward to the final event, ‘The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be a very challenging competition but fun so we are very much looking forward to it this year. It is challenging for the Swan boats in the main overall fleets but it will be guaranteed good sailing for us all at Porto Cervo. In my opinion @robas has a good team and is slightly faster than Vertical Smile. We sometimes get lucky racing though so may still be in with a chance of the Swan Maxi Circuit title for 2011’.
Further information about the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, including the entry list and live tracking during the event, may be found at http://www.yccs.com/.
