Bruno Peyron (Photo by George Bekris)

Bruno Peyron (Photo by George Bekris)

 

 

 

The Race: Created by the French sailor Bruno Peyron, The Race started on 31st December 2000, as a way to celebrate our arrival in the third millennium with a global ocean race. The Race was the first race around the world without limits, in other words it was open to boats without any size restrictions. The total freedom that was given to designers led to the birth of a new generation of sailboats, maxi-multihulls, now known as the G-Class.
For the first edition of  The Race, the first giant multihulls ever built set out from the start in Barcelona to sail around the world via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn) before crossing the finish line in Marseilles.
The reference time for the race was set by the New Zealander Grant Dalton aboard the maxi-catamaran Club Med, which completed the voyage in 62 days, 56 minutes and 33 seconds.

Three times holder of the Jules Verne Trophy and creator of The Race, the non-stop crewed race around the world without outside assistance and without limits, Bruno Peyron has officially announced that he has decided to relaunch The Race. After several months of studies and some careful thinking and after consulting the main potential competitors, a second edition of the race around the world for the giant G-class boats is therefore planned for 2013-2014, starting from a port in Southern Europe.

Orange II In Newport, RI (Photo by George Bekris)

Orange II In Newport, RI (Photo by George Bekris)

Around ten giants
After talks with leading maxi-multihull G-class skippers, it transpires that out of the dozen giants that have so far been built, between eight and ten of them may be lining up for the start of The Race, and that is without counting any new boats, which may be built by then, in particular using moulds from the latest multihulls from the most recent generation.
The ultimate goal remains the same as when the first edition was launched: Bringing together “the ten fastest teams around the world.”

All lights are green
Bruno Peyron, who took some time to think about this before coming to a decision explains: “As I’ve been able to stand back and gain some perspective since I last took part in the Jules VerneTrophy, there are several things I noticed that led me to take this decision to relaunch The Race. First, since the recent America’s Cup that we have just seen, we can conclude that we French are no longer alone in the world of multihulls and that is excellent news. We are entering a new era.
We can see too that since The Race, 12 giant multihulls have been built, including four in the past three years. So today there are certainly enough boats of sufficient quality for us to propose this event relaunch to their skippers and partners, without counting any new multihulls, which may be built following on from this by 2013 or 2014.
I have noticed that some major brands have been looking at the possibilities offered by the Volvo Ocean Race, which I can fully understand, but this does indicate that there is simply no alternative international race for multihulls. And just to conclude, others around me have become aware of this and share this feeling and my discussions with the leading G-class skippers have led me to move things forward in this direction.  
The new 100-foot class (of which three are already up and running and a fourth is about to be made ready) has shown what these innovative boats can do sailing around the world via the three legendary capes while budgets remain limited. So, in this respect, it is now much easier to be able to take part in The Race.
Why 2013 or 2014? To place the event in between two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race and to offer the main international challengers the possibility of taking part in the event.  This time frame will enable teams to draw up their project and get things moving by attracting a group of ambitious and enthusiastic partners.”

The organising team is being formed
After talks with various agencies specialising in sports marketing, Bruno Peyron has decided to award the overall management of The Race event to Thierry Reboul. Former Head of Advertising for Air France and Head of Communications at Alcatel, Thierry Reboul was the founder of the Ubi bene agency, which specialises in promoting events.

He will in particular be in charge of organising and negotiating with the main partners and the official event sites.

A call for tender will be launched to complete the arrangements with an international team, which will be appointed as executive producers.

Comments:

Grant Dalton, Winner of The Race: “When Bruno Peyron announced he was launching The Race, with my experience of round the world sailing, it immediately interested me. Although the Jules Verne Trophy was fascinating, what really attracted me here was the idea of a real race with other boats. Thanks to Bruno’s vision, I was able to experience the finest moment of my professional career. The maxi-catamaran Club Med was the first of her kind, measuring 108 feet and able to cover more than 600 miles day after day.  She was a marvel and I was privileged to be on board. The Race opened the way to more extreme sailing. It pushed back the limits and allowed us to do what had previously been thought impossible. This race remains by far the highlight of my 25 years of professional sailing. The idea of relaunching The Race will move the world of sailing another step forward.”

Pascal Bidégorry, Skipper of the maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V, holder of the North Atlantic record: “Since Banque Populaire V was built, taking part in The Race has seemed obvious to me.  I experienced the first edition as a spectator and I can still remember the enthusiasm that surrounded this race. After a few years of sailing multihulls and when you are lucky enough to sail on a maxi-multihull like Banque Populaire, I can’t imagine taking part in all these record attempts without entering an event like The Race. These are fabulous boats and battling it out around the world in real time is incredible. I admire what they do in the Volvo Ocean Race, but from a race and sailing perspective, there’s nothing like The Race.”

Francis Joyon, the single-handed round the world record holder: “I think that any project, which gets our giant multihulls racing is something that needs to be looked at, particularly when the idea comes from Bruno, who has so much experience in this field.”

Lionel Lemonchois, winner of the last Route du Rhum and who was on board Team Adventure in the first edition of The Race: “It’s great to hear that Bruno is relaunching The Race. He is finally giving us an opportunity to race around the world aboard these incredible maxi-multihulls. Personally, this race led me to discover these fantastic machines and I have some great memories of it. With another challenge ahead, I hope to be there….”

 

For More information about  The Race Click HERE

Mutua Madrilena (Photo by onEdition/OC Events/FNOB )

Mutua Madrilena (Photo by onEdition/OC Events/FNOB )

Mike Golding will compete in the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre race with Javier Sansó (ESP).  The 4730-mile race from Le Havre in France to Costa Rica starts on the 8th November.  Golding, who has competed in every edition of the biennial Transatlantic Race since 1999, was originally going to sail with Bruno Dubois, his long-term friend, team sail advisor and Managing Director of North Sails, France, but Dubois has elected to stand down in favour of the Spanish skipper.

Javier approached Mike a while ago to sail this Transat Jacques Vabre but as Mike and I have sailed together many times before, and I suppose in a way, I was the easy option!  But after further conversations with Javier, Mike and I agreed that we ought to give him the chance. And a race like the TJV is perfect - not too long and not too short!,” explained Dubois.

Javier Sanso (Photo by Alicia Valino)

Javier Sanso (Photo by Alicia Valino)

“It is a measure of the type of person that Bruno is that he has pursued the option to stand down.  The IMOCA Open 60 class has really begun to take off in Spain, helped primarily by events like the Barcelona World Race.  When we sold ECOVER II to Pedro Campos a couple of years ago it was really th e beginning and since then it has really moved on and there is now a good core of Spanish Open 60 sailors, and ‘Bubi’ is amongst the leading players,” comments Golding.

“He is an accomplished sailor in his own right with a Vendee Globe, a Barcelona World Race and two TJV’s under his belt already.” He added, “I very much hope that I might be able to share a bit of my own experiences, but I very much see this co-operation as a two-way street.

“The boat itself is in great shape and we are very keen to get back out racing again!  The new Transat Jacques Vabre course [to Costa Rica] will s ee a change in the dynamic of the race and it will be interesting to see how we all measure up again after the Vendee Globe.  ”

Make Golding (Photo by Mark Lloyd / Lloyd Images)

Make Golding (Photo by Mark Lloyd / Lloyd Images)

For his part Sansó is excited at the prospect of sailing with Golding.  “Mike and I have known each other for a while, albeit we have never sailed together before. I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved in his career and am very much looking forward to the opportunity to learn and develop my own Open 60 skills.”

Javier will join Mike for the final preparation sailing in the UK and the qualification passage.  Currently Mike’s IMOCA Open 60 is in Ocean Village in Southampton and has undergone a comprehensive refit over the past eight months.

Golding and Sansó are sailing the event unsponsored, and the team has benefited from the considerable support of Mike´s long-term business partner, Jørgen Philip-Sørensen.

“We are obviously now looking for a new sponsor to take us through the next IMOCA cy cle, and as such both Philip-Sørensen and I felt it was important to take part in this race as it is a key one to look at both our own, and the competition’s performance”, commented Golding. “By supporting this entry we will be able to not only do that, but also raise awareness of our search for a new sponsor.”

Jessica Waston  (Photo by Colin Merry)

Jessica Waston At Syndey Boat Show (Photo by Colin Merry)

Jessica Watson has started her world record attempt after being bid farewell by family, friends and many spectators when she sailed out from Sydney Heads on Sunday morning.

Her spokesman Andrew Fraser said Jessica got off to a good start and many people came out in boats and lined the headland to cheer her on when she took off aboard her yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady, from the Spit in Middle Harbour.

‘There is probably about 100 boats out here (seeing her off),’ he said.

Mr Fraser said the weather conditions were good and that winds should pick up once she got past the heads.

NSW Maritime boats escorted Jessica out of the Heads.

The teenager from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and her team spent Saturday ‘fine-tuning’ their preparations and planned to get a good night’s sleep.

Mr Fraser said she was relieved and upbeat to be finally beginning her voyage, after being delayed in Sydney by gusty winds last week.

‘I said: How are you feeling?’,’ Andrew Fraser told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

‘She said: I wake up tomorrow and sail around the world’.’

Jessica is setting off on her quest despite calls for her to abandon the voyage from the likes of the Queensland government and some of Australia’s most experienced sailors.

Concerns were heightened when her yacht collided with a 63,000-tonne cargo vessel off North Stradbroke Island during an aborted journey to Sydney last month.

But Mr Fraser dismissed the doubters.

Colin Merry and Jessica Watson

Colin Merry and Jessica Watson

‘Let’s have this conversation in eight months,’ he said, referring to the time Jessica is expected to take to sail around the world.

‘It (the collision) may have been a blessing in disguise, to be honest,’ Mr Fraser said.

‘I think we’ve learnt a lot from that experience, (and) Jessica has learnt a lot.’

After leaving Sydney the 16-year-old will head towards northern New Zealand, then to Fiji, Samoa, South America and South Africa, then sail the final leg of 4,000 nautical miles back to Australia.

Her route will be similar to that taken by Australian Kay Cottee, who became the first woman to sail solo, unassisted and non-stop around the world in 1988.

oli

oli

 

 

Plymouth’s Mayflower Marina is supporting a young sailor in his bid to become the youngest person to sail single-handed across the English Channel.

Oliver Hancox, from Devon, is just 14 but a keen sailing enthusiast. After losing his father to cancer last year, Oliver wanted to undertake a challenge which would raise both money and awareness for Cancer Research, but also make his father proud. His father, Neil Hancox, was the first person to windsurf across the English Channel in a team relay in 1983 and undertaking a similar challenge seemed, to Oliver, a fitting way to remember him.

Oliver has this month started an intensive eight week training programme with his safety boat; before the harsh effects of winter set in. The voyage itself is planned for May 2010. His boat will remain berthed in Mayflower Marina free of charge throughout the training period with the money instead being donated to Cancer Research.

Oliver will be sailing the 115 miles from Plymouth to Roscoff in a five metre, Silhouette Mk II Hurley. The journey is estimated to take around 24 hours. The boat, named Cariad, was carefully restored over the summer to prepare for the challenge. 

Charles Bush, Managing Director of Mayflower Marina, commented: “Oliver is incredibly brave to even think of sailing across the Channel alone at the age of 14. The fact that he is raising money for Cancer Research, in the name of his late father, made it impossible for us not to support him in some small way. We will be providing him with free berthing throughout the duration of his training, allowing this money to instead be given to the charity. We really do wish him the very best in his quest and remain confident that his passion and determination will see him through to Roscoff.”

Oliver added: “This is one of the most important things I have ever done. I hope to raise £10,000 for Cancer Research, as well as boost awareness of the charity and its work. Cancer affects so many people and I think this is why the support I am seeing is already so strong. My Dad always loved adventure and this seems to have been passed down to me too. I am a little scared, but also incredibly excited and pleased that I can do my bit to help people in the future.”  

To find out more about Oliver’s challenge, or to donate online, visit: www.channelchallenge.co.uk. To find out more about Mayflower Marina please visit: www.mayflowermarina.co.uk.

Mayflower Marina is situated in the heart of Plymouth, in the midst of some of the UK’s best cruising waters. It was established in 1980 and is a member of TransEurope Marinas. The marina itself is owned by a number of shareholders (Sailport Plc) of whom the vast majority are berth holders. Fifty members of staff are employed on the site.

Significant investment into the marina has resulted in a high standard of all amenities. Mayflower Marina prides itself on its value for money and competitive prices. Customer care and attention are guaranteed at every visit.

For further information please visit www.mayflowermarina.co.uk

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Melinka In Newport ,RI Preparing To Leave For New York (Photo by George Bekris)

Miles4Justice is a unique sailing project that raises much needed funds for human rights causes around the world. They break records, race the best in the world and sail thousands of miles to raise awareness and fundraise.

Miles4Justice was started by two leading human rights lawyers including a founding member of the International Course of Human Rights. It has grown into an 11-strong sailing team led by a professional skipper who has completed the Whitbread race three times.

The complex and exciting sport of competing in a sailing race is used as a means of drawing attention to the need for the protection of human rights around the world. The term “Miles4Justice” represents the two elements of the concept:
1) Achieving justice around the world through the endorsement of human rights.
2) Sailing as many miles as possible in order to generate the financial means to support specific human rights projects.

Miles4Justice Crew (Photo by

Miles4Justice Crew (Photo by Anko Stoffels)

Eight are members of the Royal Netherlands Marines Corps - Special Forces Unit - who have been on assignment during various international peace keeping operations. These missions were aimed at restoring peace and security in areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Cambodia. The Marines were specifically selected for this unique team based on their skills and personalities.

Another team member is an accomplished human rights lawyer and an avid female amateur sailor.

The 10th member of the team is a reserve officer of the Royal Netherlands Marines Corps. He is also a renowned human rights lawyer, a Professor of International Criminal Law and one of the founding members of the International Criminal Court with ongoing experience and participation in various War Crimes Tribunals over the past number of years.

Last but not least, the skipper is the only professional sailor. He has successfully completed the Whitbread Race, the predecessor of the current Volvo Ocean Race, three times and his experience is invaluable.

Miles4Justice Team (Photo by Anko Stoffels)

Miles4Justice Team (Photo by Anko Stoffels)

In benefit of Human Rights Watch will endeavour to arrive on the same calendar day as Hudson on the 8th September in New York in time for the starting ceremonies of the NY400 celebrations.  Upon arrival, the team will donate a cheque to Human Right Watch. The principle sponsor of this challenge is Rampart’s Avenir, North America’s largest ecocity.
Between 8 - 13 September, the Miles4Justice team will stay in New York to join the celebrations and sail with special guests, including high profile individuals linked with Human Rights Watch.

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Melinka In Newport, RI (Photo by George Bekris)

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   Geertjan Knoops and Carry Knoops (Photo by Anko Stoffels)

Geertjan Knoops and Carry Knoops (Photo by Anko Stoffels)

 

For more Information xisit www.miles4justice.com

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Parsifal III (Photo by George Bekris)

Some of the world’s largest sailing yachts - with rigs towering upwards of 180′ off the water — have been streaming into the picturesque harbour of Porto Cervo, in advance of tomorrows start of the Perini Navi Cup. In fact the 2nd largest traditionally-rigged sailing yacht in the world, Felicita West is here, all 210′ of gleaming teak decks.

This annual gathering, the third edition, is being hosted and organized by Perini Navi in conjunction with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

From the (not-so) smallest, the 80-foot Elettra to the 288-foot Maltese Falcon, a technological marvel with it’s three rotating masts, and a boat easily full of superlatives: 26,000 sq ft of sail area, 180′ masts, and a maximum draft of 36 feet.

Racing will take place on Friday and Saturday with one race planned each day; the first warning signal will be at 1200. The thought of all 19 boats on a starting line is enough to give even the most hardened race officer pause, so the fleet will start pursuit-style, with individual boats going off at two-minute intervals. In theory, this allows boats to finish close together.

Principal Race Officer Peter Craig and the YCCS race committee have laid out courses in and around the nearby La Maddalena islands, a scenic yet challenging course, which will allow these behemoth yachts to show their true potential. The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for westerly winds 18-20 knots.

Bruce Brakenhoff Jr, general manager of Perini Navi USA, said the number of entries has grown since the 2006 event. With 46 sailing yachts built to date, the company currently has eight yachts under construction, ranging from 125′ - 184′, which in the current economic climate is no mean feat.

Brakenhoff explained the genesis of the Perini Navi Cup weekend, saying, “It was more about a rendezvous than the race. We really wanted to get all of our owners together in one place, for one big weekend. The first one in 2004, we were overwhelmed — it was such a fantastic hit. The owners loved it, the crews loved it, so we decided to do it again. This year is the biggest turnout, especially in this economic climate. The owners clearly wanted to go out and have some fun.”

With a fleet of 46 sailing yachts cruising the world’s seas, Perini Navi is a highly respected mega sailing yacht designer and builder. The company is known for it’s revolutionary automatic sailing systems as well as meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The latest launch in the Perini stable is the 184-foot ketch-rigged Riela, delivered in June 2009. The company seems to have hit a chord with this model: Riela is the seventh hull out of ten built to date. The boat has great appeal and plenty of room to accommodate family and friends, with five staterooms. The yacht requires a crew of ten to eleven, which is a relatively low number given the size of the boat.

Dockside at the YCCS, there are some surprising guest crew members here to sail in the Perini Navi Cup, including Andrew Cape, fresh from the Rolex Fastnet Race (sailing on an Open 60, the other end of the design/performance spectrum) former America’s Cup skipper Mario Pelaschier, and Dawn Riley, a former America’s Cup and Whitbread round the world race sailor. Riley who arrived straight from a women’s sailing clinic in the midwest US, is more used to stripped out racing machines, but this week she’s traded up in the luxe living department sailing on board the 148-foot sloop-rigged Helios.

Talking about the differences between her usual rides, she said, “It’s a boat with an engine to start with. I’m amazed at the size of these things: the lines, the sails, the mast.I was walking the docks and (the STP 65) Rosebud looks like a dinghy. It’s really impressive, a photo doesn’t do it justice.”

With Helios’ beam of 32 feet and a displacement of 362 tons, the racing is surely different than what’s she used to, but then it’s a fleet of somewhat similar gigantic boats going around the race course. Riley added, “I’m trying to temper my competitive spirit, because it’s all about fun, but we’re still going to adjust the leads, and put telltales on the sails. I think anytime you put more than one boat on the water, it’s a race.”

Further down the quay, the slate gray-hulled 164-foot Ron Holland-designed Baracuda stands out in a sea of mainly navy blue or white hulls. Delivered in January of 2009, the yacht has hit the sea running as it were, racking up 16,000 nautical miles over the past seven months. After launching, the boat sailed across to the Caribbean, then back to the Mediterranean to Spain and finally Greece, from where the yacht and crew arrived five days ago.

Sergio Lottini, the skipper, was understated when he said, “We had to try out the boat.” Baracuda’s non-stop schedule is likely to continue, after a brief yard period in Viareggio, the yacht will sail to the Canaries in the fall and across to the Caribbean. In fact, Perini Navis are extremely well-suited to distance and round-the-world voyaging — in the last ten years, almost every year, there has been one family in a circumnavigation.

Baracuda is in Porto Cervo, says Lottini, because “the owner loves sailing; he enjoyed the St Barth’s Bucket and then wanted to come here and sail in the Perini Cup.”

Baracuda’s stark interior was designed by John Pawson, the foremost proponent of a minimal aesthetic in architecture and design. Certainly the lavender-colored sails make a design statement, but Lottini and his crew aim to do well on the race course as well

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Perseus (Photo by George Bekris)

Entry List

Andromeda la Dea
Antara
Atmosphere
Baracuda
Elettra
Felicità west
Gitana
Helios
Heritage
Heritage M.
Independence
Klosters
Ohana
Parsifal III
Perseus
Phryne
Riela
Salute
The Maltese Falcon

Perini Navi Perseus (Photo by George Bekris)

Perini Navi Perseus (Photo by George Bekris)

 

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Alex Thomson Standing On Keel Of Hugo Boss Underway (Photo by Lloyd Images)

 Having already tried his hand at foiling, last week round the world sailor Alex Thomson went keel walking on his IMOCA Open 60 HUGO BOSS in the Solent.

 Alex said;

 “I’ve wanted to stand on the keel while sailing for a couple of years, and last week in 17-20 knots of breeze I stood on the keel whilst sailing wearing a HUGO BOSS suit. It was pretty dangerous but a real buzz.”

 In 2005 Alex became the first skipper to sign up for the 3 in 3 – 3 round the world races in 3 years starting with the Velux 5 Oceans in 2006, followed by the Barcelona World Race (BWR) in November 2007, and culminating in the 2008 Vendee Globe

 Alex was forced to retire from the Velux 5 Oceans due to severe structural problems. He overcame the Southern Ocean by achieving a second place podium finish in the Barcelona World Race. Whilst on this race Alex smashed the 60ft monohull world distance record and was in excellent shape for the Vendée Globe.

Hugo Boss Keel  (Photo by Lloyd Images)

Hugo Boss Keel (Photo by Lloyd Images)

However, only 3 weeks before the Vendée was due to commence, Alex was dramatically struck by a French fishing vessel. His team fought against the clock to finish the repairs in record time to achieve the impossible - and get Alex to the start line. Alex’s dreams to become the first Briton to win the much coveted title were shattered after only 3 days racing; when he discovered HUGO BOSS was letting in water from structural failure to the hull. Devastated, Alex announced his retirement from the Vendée. He is determined to return and compete in the 2012

 

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Alex On Hugo Boss's Keel (Photo by Lloyd Images)

HETAIROS In Maxi Yacht Rolex Race 2008 (Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo)

Hetairos In Maxi Yacht Rolex Race 2008 (Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo)

 

When the 20th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup gets underway in two weeks, expect nothing less than a medieval scrap between various latter day warlords and their trusted retainers. The mightiest contest is expected in the Mini Maxi division where eight of the latest exponents of this growing class will be brushing up on Sun Tzu’s Art of War ahead of the season’s highlight Maxi yacht event, which begins on 6 September and is organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Equally, compelling contests will unfold elsewhere in the forty-four boat fleet, which features some battlefield goliaths including Albert Buell’s 45.19 metre (148 foot) Saudade (MLT), only marginally outstripped on the size front by Hasso Plattner’s 45.52 metre (149 foot) Visione (GER).

Only one division champion from 2008 is returning to the scene of their triumph. Lindsay Owen Jones’ 28.8 metre (94 foot) Magic Carpet 2 (GBR) will be defending her Wally Yachts’ title. Owen Jones has won his division at this event on four occasions with two different yachts, but even he will be anticipating a tough few days. Jean Charles Decaux and the 24.4 metre (80 foot) J One (FRA) (the former two-time winning steed of Owen Jones) vanquished all opposition in 2007, whilst Claus Peter Offen, a victor in 2005, is returning with a brand new 30.5 metre (100 foot) Y3K (GER). This latest Y3K features a trim-tab fixed keel, PBO rigging, a high modulus carbon-fibre mast and a three-metre bowsprit. Weighing in at 57 tonnes she incorporates a luxurious interior and is no stripped-out flyer, but Offen is a competitive yachtsman and looked to the America’s Cup Class design world when selecting the keel and rudder combination.

Y3K will not be the only yacht making its Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup debut. There are a host of Mini Maxis getting ready to engage in battle on the waters off Porto Cervo for the first time. Niklas Zennstrom’s 21.9 metre (72 foot) Rán 2 (GBR), flush with success from the 2009 Rolex Fastnet where she took the overall win, is heading into the fray. Zennstrom will expect no quarter from Patrizio Bertelli’s all-star cast on the STP 65 Luna Rossa (ITA) or Udo Schütz’s STP 65 Container (GER) - both newcomers too. Schütz is a former Admiral’s Cup winner and is unlikely to be fazed by any of the other formidable weaponry on display. Hap Fauth’s 21 metre (69 foot) Bella Mente (USA) is another freshman hoping to prove her mettle along with Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou (GBR). At 18.3 metres (60 foot), Jethou is the smallest combatant amongst the IRC oriented Mini Maxis and the crew will have their work cut out to keep pace on the water with some of their competitors. However, first home is not first on the podium. Corrected time is the all-important determinant of who receives the spoils.

Whilst the newest Mini Maxis are expected to replicate an on-water cavalry charge around the courses, a 2006 division winner will be taking the contest at a more leisurely pace. The 38.25 metre (125 foot) Hetairos (CAY) was built in 1993, but is absolutely classic in appearance. Often, at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, she appears to adopt a field-marshal’s role observing the mêlée from afar and then delivering the crushing blow come results time. Another expected to follow this model is the 39.92 metre (131 foot) Maria Cattiva (MLT). Launched in 2003 by the Dutch yard Royal Huisman, Maria Cattiva is a Bruce King design, just like Hetairos, and is also a modern interpretation of a bygone era.

This year’s Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup also forms the final showdown in the Swan Maxi Class. The 2008 circuit winner, Roel Pieper’s Swan 80 Favonius (NED) (winner of the Rolex Swan Cup in the same year), comes to the arena with a solid track record on the Costa Smeralda. Pieper will expect no quarter from the Swan 90s Solleone (ITA) or DSK Pioneer Investments (ITA), the Swan 82FD Grey Goose (GER) or the Swan 601 @robas (FRA) all of whom will be looking to unseat him.

RANGER In Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2008 (Photo by Rolex/ Daniel Forster)

Ranger In Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2008 (Photo by Rolex/ Daniel Forster)

Leaving aside the warlike analogies for the moment, the event is shaping up to be memorable one particularly if the wind plays its part and allows organisers the chance to put on a full-week of competition. With competing yachts from 16 different nations, including Karl Kwok with Beau Geste from Hong Kong and Neville Crichton with Alfa Romeo 3 from New Zealand, it will be an international occasion. One other thing for certain, the intensity of activity on the water will be matched by the intensity of the social schedule ashore, as owners and crews mix together to trade war stories each evening.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2009, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda takes place from 6 to 12 September. Racing commences on Monday, 7 September and concludes with the final prizegiving on Saturday, 12 September. From the most luxurious, through the most traditional, to the most advanced monohulls afloat today, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is nothing if not an astonishing line up of sailing power.

ALFA ROMEO 3 and ROSEBUD In Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup 2008 (Photo by Rolex/Daniel Forster)

Alfa Romeo 3 and Rosebud In Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup 2008 (Photo by Rolex/Daniel Forster)

 Entry List For Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup 2009

Robas
Aegir
Alegre
Alfa Romeo
Aniene
Beau Geste
Bellamente
Container
Coral
Dark Shadow
DK Pioneer Investments
Favonius
Gala
Genie
Gliss
Good Job Guys
Grande Orazio
Grey Goose

H2O
Hamilton II
Hetairos
Idea
Inti
J One
Jethou

Ladisea
Luna Rossa
Magie Carpet 2
Maria Cattuva
Maya
Open Season
OPS 5
Ran
Rosebud / Tean DYT
Sagamore
Saudade
Solleone
Valkyrie
Varsovie
Velsheda
Viriella
Visione
Whisper

Y3K