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Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2007: Entrants Prepare
for Voyage from Tenerife to St. Maarten |
 16th
November 2007: Porto Cervo, Italy; An international
fleet of maxi yachts, representing seven nations – Barbados,
Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Monaco and Norway -
is preparing to head to Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) for
the start of the Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2007,
which ends in St. Maarten. The event, promoted by the
International Maxi Association (IMA) and organized by the
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) with the collaboration of
Real Club Nautico de Tenerife and St. Maarten Yacht Club, is
open to monohull sailing yachts of 18 metres (59 feet) and
above racing under IRC handicap.
Racing is due to start on 26th November while most of the
fleet will arrive in Tenerife four to five days earlier in
order to complete registrations and make their final
preparations prior to the start. The Spanish island is
preparing to give owners and crews a fitting send-off with a
series of receptions, parties and activities in addition to
more technical appointments such as the skipper’s briefing
scheduled for 25th November. |
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The nine competing
maxis will be crewed by anywhere between nine and 15 people.
Although many are equipped with the latest in labour-saving
yachting technology and have the benefit of GPS navigation
systems, a transatlantic crossing is by no means an easy
feat. Crews will cover approximately 3000 miles and can
expect to encounter incredibly varied and challenging wind
and sea conditions. From the start on Tenerife, where
anything from a brisk northerly to the island’s notorious
calima -- a hot, sand-laden sirocco -- could be blowing, the
fleet will then be looking to take advantage of the
northeast trade winds. Named for their ability to propel
trading ships across the ocean, the trade winds between
about 30° latitude and the equator are generally steady and
blow at approximately 11 to 15 knots, but can increase to
around 20 in winter. As the maxis near St Maarten and the
finish line, the more gentle Alizé Caribbean trade wind will
kick in and crews can expect to be accompanied by 10 to 12
knots of northeasterly winds.
A wide range of maxis will be competing: from the largest
boat in the fleet, the 35 metre (115 foot) Sojana (GBR)
owned by Peter Harrison, to the smallest, the 21 metre (70
foot) Mini-Maxi Blue Pearl (GBR) skippered by Anders
Johnson, and from the brand new 2007-launched Fado (ITA),
chartered by Bernd Kortuem and skippered by Marcello Iacuzzi
and Julie Marie (GER), to the 13-year-old Nariida (NOR),
owned by Morten Bergesen.
The participating yachts will be battling it out for a
variety of trophies including the YCCS Trophy for the first
yacht across the line in real time and the IMA Challenge
Trophy for the highest-placed IMA Member on corrected time.
The Rolex Trophy and timepiece will go to the overall winner
based on IRC handicap.
Prizes will be awarded at the prize giving ceremony
scheduled to take place on 14th December in St Maarten,
followed by a reception and dinner in Palapa Marina where
participants will get a flavour of Antilles-style
hospitality.
The Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has been created by
the IMA in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda
in response to requests from owners for a transatlantic race
dedicated specifically to maxi yachts. The regatta will also
contribute to the IMA’s efforts to establish a seasonal
circuit for maxis that will allow owners to compete in
summer offshore events in the Mediterranean and Europe
before moving to the Caribbean for the traditional winter
racing season.
A satellite tracking system will monitor each yacht’s
progress for the duration of the regatta and can be accessed
for viewing at www.yccs.it
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda was founded on May 15th 1967
by its current President, His Highness the Aga Khan, and a
small group of Founder Members, as a non-profit sporting
association for those passionate about the sea and marine
sports.
The YCCS clubhouse, overlooking Porto Cervo Marina, is
considered one of the most prestigious and beautifully
functional structures of its kind anywhere in the world and
offers members and regatta participants 24 guest suites, a
modern Wellness Centre and a Bar and Restaurant on the
panoramic Poolside Terrace. The adjoining Piazza Azzurra,
the nerve centre of the Race Village during sporting events,
hosts a series of cultural initiatives throughout the rest
of the year.
The YCCS is twinned with the New York Yacht Club and the
Yacht Club de Monaco and has reciprocal agreements with the
Royal Yacht |
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