Maxi 72 Bella Mente with Owner/Driver Hap Fauth at the helm during NYYC Annual Regatta on Sunday, June 12
Sunday’s racing at the NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex came with a whole new set of challenges for the Maxi 72 Class, with extremely strong breeze clocking in over 20 knots and gusts approaching 30. Bella Mente Racing, led by owner/driver Hap Fauth, finished second in the one race of the day and holds the lead going into tomorrow, three points ahead of MOMO. Although the Annual Regatta officially wrapped up today, the Maxi 72s will continue racing through Tuesday as part of the class’ North American Championships.
Sean “Doogie” Couvreux on the bow of Bella Mente during the NYYC Annual Regatta on Sunday, June 12
Mike Sanderson:
I know in the year 2016, we are supposed to be talking about foiling and how exciting that is, be it the AC boats roaring around Bermuda or the Open 60’s getting ready for the upcoming Vendee Globe, but there is still something very special about four Maxi 72 boats going out to do a windward leeward race in 25 knots of wind!
Today didn’t disappoint. It started with a tight lead into a classic drag race with us leading around the top mark in a shower of spray at 20 plus knots. At one point, both MOMO and Bella were clocking in speeds of 20 plus knots within a boat length of each other. MOMO pushed their mark rounding and got away with it, rounding the favored gate mark at the bottom of the course, and then unfortunately for us the breeze never shifted back in our favor to offer any opportunities to our side of the course. We trailed them around the top mark and then pushed hard down the last run, but had to settle for second place. It was a solid team effort and nice boost of confidence when it came to the boat’s reliability. The Mighty Bella is feeling great and that is a nice feeling as we go into the last two days of the Maxi 72 North Americans and then the final prep for the Newport Bermuda race. It’s all good in the world of Bella Mente.
Terry Hutchinson:
It was a solid day on Bella Mente. Hap and the boys executed a good, conservative start in the top-end conditions. We managed to get around the top of the course in the lead, and Bella went away from the top mark sitting on 20 knots of boat speed with MOMO in hot pursuit.
The plan was simple as we were one-and-in to the left gate, but unfortunately we got a little lifted at the bottom and ended up in no-mans-land, which meant we had to douse the kite and reach for three lengths to the gate. This presented the opportunity for MOMO to gain and round, even with Bella.
From there, the second beat did not go Bella’s way. We played the percentages a bit staying in phase, but ultimately MOMO went left into more shift and pressure.
Big nod today to Ollie, Kyle, Ryan, Tony and Marty who represent Bella’s shore team. The conditions were top end and it was great to race the boat with confidence without failure. One hundred percent reliability is one of those things that we continue to strive for and the guys did a great job of delivering a well-prepared boat.
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