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.

Owner/Driver Hap Fauth at the helm during racing on Saturday (June 11) at the NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex (Photo Credit: Daniel Forster)

The weekend started off on a very high note for Bella Mente Racing, with the team winning both races in the Maxi 72 Class at the NYYC Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. Today’s racing marked the first day of the class’ North American Championship, which goes through Tuesday, June 14.

Owner/Driver Hap Fauth:

Despite today’s tricky conditions, the team prevailed. The boat handling and crew work was excellent and everything went pretty smoothly. However, we still have a lot of time between now and the end of this event and there are always places to make improvements. Our plan is to keep our eyes on the prize.

Terry Hutchinson:

It was a reasonable day onboard Bella Mente today.  In race one, we executed Plan B off the start line.  We had some solid boat speed, well timed tacks, and consistent boat handling, which gave us the opportunity to lead at the top.  From there, it was a matter of staying between the fleet and the finish.

Race two was more of the same.  Both Proteus and Momo had better starts, and yet we managed to keep our lane quite well on the first port tack off the line.  From there, we picked good times to tack and unlike yesterday things rolled Bella Mente’s way.

It was a solid start to the event but lots of racing in front of us.  We need to refine our starting timing tomorrow to have a higher success rate off the line. High marks to the speed team and the boat handling for a great performance today.

Bella Mente Racing during the Around the Island Race (Photo Credit: Daniel Forster)

However, the race took a turn for the worse as we rounded Beavertail on the southern corner of the island for a short reach home back into Newport Harbor. The transition zone that we did well on the beat out on engulfed us on the way to the finish. We stuck to our guns on the left-hand side of the track, trying to stay out of the current and push back into the northerly but to no avail.Today starts windward leeward racing and we look forward to lining up with the other 3 Maxi 72s. It’s going to be a great challenge.