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Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

Bella Mente takes second Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship title

Open Season, WinWin, Leopard 3, My Song, Atalanta II, Wallyño and Grande Orazio division winners at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

dimanche 11 septembre 2016 – Redaction SSS [Source RP]

The 27th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex 72 World Championship concluded in fine style today with the Wally and Maxi 72 divisions completing two windward-leeward races and all other divisions sailing a coastal course. A steadier than predicted 10-12 knots breeze held for the duration of today’s competitions and the added sunshine and blue skies made this a picture-perfect Porto Cervo race day. Despite the idyllic scenery, however, the intentions of owners and crews were deadly serious as victory or defeat, in most divisions, would be decided in the final showdown.


Wally

Thomas Bscher’s Open Season was the undisputed champion from the off in this 13-boat division, and a victory and seventh place finish in today’s two races were enough to assure her a 10 point lead overall. Jean Charles Decaux’s J One made something of a comeback, stealing into second place at the last minute - just one point ahead of third-placed Tango G - thanks to a win in the final race.

Maxi 72

Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente also dominated from the off in the race for the Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship andanother solid performance today ,with a win and a third place, left her inscribing her name on the perpetual trophy for the second year running. A final sprint from Proteus, with owner George Sakellaris at the helm, brought her from fourth to second place overall. Germany’s Momo took third place.

Owner Hap Fauth on his championship win : "It feels just fantastic. This was the hardest because we are the target both in practices and in pace. Everyone is aware of our strengths so, for example, there is always a blocking attempt in the starting sequences. But we have been good to respond - we have plan a), plan b) and plan c) at the start. For us, getting off at the start is a big part of the race, make the first cross and then we are in control."

SuperMaxi

Living up to her name, Kim Schindelhauer’s WinWin chalked up her second bullet of the series to seal overall victory ahead of the 1933 J Class yacht Velsheda. Marco Vogele’s 33 metre Inoui, with Chris Main on tactics, rounded off the podium.

Maxi Racing

Less than a minute separated Mike Slade’s Farr 100 Leopard 3 from George David’s Rambler 88 across the finish line today. However with three wins out of four races, Leopard bagged the overall win.

Maxi Racing Cruising

Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s Cookson 84 yacht My Song, on perhaps her final competitive outing as she makes way for her owner’s new build, bowed out in style with three bullets and a second place this week securing her a resounding win in her division. Paolo Scerni’s Altair-Aegir took second place ahead of the Swan 80 Alpina in third.

Mini Maxi Racing

Italy’s Atalanta II, division winner in 2006 and 2007, made a triumphant return to the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup climbing from fourth place on day one to first place overall. A victory in today’s race clinched second place for the US team on the Mills 68 Prospector, just one point ahead of another American crew on Lucky.

Voir en ligne : Press info www.internationalmaxiassociation.com

Mini Maxi Racing Cruising

The Wally 60 Wallyño sealed her spot at the top of the Mini Maxi Racing Cruising fleet with a second place in the final coastal race. The Swan 601 Arobas, which will also be competing in next week’s Rolex Swan Cup, took second place while Italian boat H2O claimed third.

Southern Wind

Massimiliano Florio’s Grande Orazio took the silverware in the separate classification for participating Southern Wind yachts ahead of Irish boat Windfall.

Division winners of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Rolex 72 Maxi World Championship received Rolex timepieces and trophies during the final prize giving ceremony at the YCCS.

YCCS Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo commented on the week’s proceedings : "As always the Maxi event provided a spectacular week. We were delighted to host this record fleet of 52 boats and pleased to note that many of these were competing here for the first time - a very positive sign for the future growth of Maxi racing. We faced some difficult conditions but, as always, the Race Committee did a sterling job and this final day was really thrilling. We will see everyone back here in 2017 for a very special edition as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations."

The Maxi fleet makes way on the docks for over 120 boats participating in the Rolex Swan Cup at the YCCS from 11th to 18th September.

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