The Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship kicked off today in Porto Cervo, Sardinia with clear skies and light to moderate winds between six and ten knots. Bella Mente Racing and the rest of the competitive six-boat fleet took to the waters for two windward leeward races where the team finished sixth and second place, respectively, resulting in a fourth-place standing going into day two of racing tomorrow. Bella Mente is currently two points behind Momo in third place and four points behind Robertissima III and Jethou, which are tied for first.
Bella Mente Racing and the rest of the competitive six-boat Maxi 72 Class. (Photo Credit: Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi)
Tactician Terry Hutchinson Recapping Day One:
Race one was a struggle. Hap (Fauth), Ian (Moore), and Doogie (Sean Couvreux) executed a great start and well that was the best part of the race. From there, we boat-speeded out to the left hand side with Robertissima III and Momo. Robertissima III tacked early and went about seven lengths astern of Bella Mente. Momo continued on with us and with roughly 2 minutes to the lay line she tacked. We went another 20 seconds and followed some pretty good left-hand pressure. Both boats looked to be comfortably ahead with Momo, which was leading and us (Bella Mente) in second. However, in the last two minutes of the leg it went horribly pear shaped for Bella Mente. Momo crossed the fleet and rounded in first, while Bella Mente rounded in last. From there it was a battle, but we were never really able to threaten. Robertissima III sailed the best race and ended up with a win. For race two we again executed a solid start. It was another race of snakes and ladders with the fleet always very tight. We sailed a bit looser tactically, and were rewarded for it managing a second. Although the first race was fairly disappointing, we are still in the early days of the event, so we can keep chipping from here.”
Racing resumes tomorrow and the Maxi 72 fleet will mix up the race format with a coastal course. Event organizers are predicting more breeze, with 12 to 15 knots forecasted.
The Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in conjunction with the International Maxi Association and runs through Saturday, September 12, with a layday scheduled for Thursday.
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Click here for full class updates from the International Maxi Association
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