Bella Dives Back in with NYYC Annual Regatta

In less than two weeks, Bella Mente Racing will hit the ground running for the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. Scheduled from June 13-15, it will be the team’s first event since suffering from a mast failure at Les Voiles de St. Barths in April.

Bella Mente at the 2012 NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. It was the first event that the team competed in on the current boat. (Photo Credit Billy Black)

“We plan to get Bella Mente back on track as quickly as possible,” said the team’s crew boss Mike Sanderson adding that the 72-foot maxi is currently being worked on at the Newport Shipyard and will be equipped with a new keel and a newer mast before the weekend classic. “It is a really interesting race and what we are looking for is a smooth and slick performance from our whole infrastructure. 

The team has its work cut out for them with a slew of challenging competitors also racing in IRC, including the IRC favored TP52s Constellation, Hooligan, Interlodge and SLED and rival mini maxi Caol Ila R which they have been constantly swapping positions with all season. Caol Ila R to took the class win at Les Voiles de St. Barth while Bella Mente won the mini maxi class at Key West Race Week (Caol Ila R came in second) and finished second overall and second in the IRC Z class at RORC 600.

“The ratings on Caol Ila R and the TP52s make them tough to beat so we need to make sure to keep our distance,” added Sanderson. “If they are beside us then they are winning.”

Bella Mente at the 2012 NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. It was the first event that the team competed in on the current boat. (Photo Credit Billy Black)

Following Annual Regatta, the team will embark on the Newport Bermuda Race the next week (June 20) before heading across the Atlantic to embark on its European circuit, which includes the 33rd Copa del Rey MAPFRE in August, the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship in September and the Rolex Middle Sea Race in October.

“Between now and this fall we will constantly be switching from inshore to offshore mode. We are very privileged to have such a wide range of events and we need to focus on winning them. That road is going to start at the Annual Regatta.”

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