The Mediterranean sea and Porto Cervo are going to hot the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup .
In a difficult period when most of the events have been canceled thanks to coronavirus pandemic, some first steps back to normality are being made. Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in conjunction with the International Maxi Association and supported from the outset by Rolex, this will be 31st running of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
The annual highlight of the maxi yachting season, this is an international congregation of all maxi yachts (ie of 60+ft LH) from grand prix racers to cruisers; from brand new launches to classics, all lured by the supreme racing off Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, one of the world’s best yacht racing arenas. In non-pandemic years the event has an excellent social program from the regatta’s opening cocktail party within the YCCS clubhouse to the traditional Rolex party held at the Cala Di Volpe hotel. However, due to the measures designed to prevent any resurgence in the pandemic, the 2020 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be a very different regatta. IMA Secretary General Andrew McIrvine explains: “With the requirement to obey COVID-19 avoidance measures, including social distancing and avoidance of gatherings, crews will typically remain in their ‘bubbles’ from villa to yacht with virtually no wider interaction. The racing will still be good. We have made special provisions for reduced crew number with extra adjustments of time correction for yachts taking that option.”
This year’s Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup fleet will be smaller than usual.However with more than 20 yachts entered, the line-up has surpassed expectations given the present difficulties attending. Competitors range from the new Farr-designed, Baltic Yachts-built and DSS foil-equipped 142 footer Canova to the 100 footers Leopard 3 and Adalberto and Guido Miani’s A Family Affair (ex-Skandia Wild Thing) to the highly competitive 60 footers, like International Maxi Association President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wally 60 Wallyño, Peter Dubens’ Frers 60 Spectre and Gerard Logel’s Swan 601 @robas.
Back again is the Mylius 18E35 Fra’ Diavolo of Vincenzo Addessi. Last year the Gaeta Yacht Club President’s team finished tied at the top of the Mini Maxi class 2, losing only on countback. As a proportion of the overall maxi fleet, the Swan participation is larger than usual due to the YCCS hosting the Rolex Swan Cup the following week.
