Maxi 72 Worlds: Day 2

The Maxi 72 Fleet during day two of racing (Photo Credit: ROLEX / Carlo Borlenghi)

After day one of racing was cancelled due to high winds, Bella Mente and the rest of the Maxi 72 fleet took to the water today in Porto Cervo, Sardinia to kick off the Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship. Despite the tricky conditions, which included large swells and dwindling breeze, the team, led by owner/driver Hap Fauth, prevailed taking first place in the first windward/leeward race of the day and tying with Robertissima for second place in the second race. Bella Mente goes into tomorrow holding the class lead, 1.5 points ahead of Momo.

Bella Mente during day two of racing (Photo Credit: ROLEX / Carlo Borlenghi)

Hap Fauth

It was very challenging. With the huge sea state, there was lots of mountain climbing and with the shifty breeze it was a challenge all day. But we came out okay.

Mike Sanderson

Many people commented when we where trying to get the boat off the dock that this would be the trickiest part of the day, as massive swells rolling into Porto Cervo Harbor were creating havoc for the fleet. That wasn’t to be the case though, the waves during racing that were out of whack with the wind speed, which was steadily dropping, made for a couple of very tricky races. Onboard, it all felt a bit rough around the edges, but to come away with a first in the first race and a tie for second in the second race, meant in fact that it was a very solid day points wise.

Adrian Stead

After a blowout for day one, it was great to get out and race today. Conditions were pretty lumpy with a 1-1.5 meter seaway from the north, and a breeze that started at 19 knots and dropped to 12 buy the end of race two.

For race one, Bella Mente got a great mid-line start and was going well upwind to lead around the top mark from the left. Downwind, there were big surfs on the waves and we dropped back to third at the gate, with Momo taking the lead. Some good shifts up the second beat got us back in the lead at the top, which we held until the finish – a nice opener!

For race two, we had another well-executed mid-line start with Terry (Hutchinson), Hap, Soapy (Ian Moore) and Doogie (Sean Couvreux) launching us well out of the blocks. We had a solid first beat and led at the top. Momo gybed away from the shift but saw more pressure and came in ahead at the gate. No place changes up the still lumpy second beat, but on the final run Robertissima managed to make a gain, leaving us sharing second place on handicap.

Overall, it was an ok opening day, and we are at the front of the fleet, but also feeling that we left some points out there. Tomorrow looks very rough with strong winds overnight.

Click here to read the organizer’s press release
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