MANILA, Philippines - The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Mediterranean yachting event, which throughout its long and proud history has inspired a string of superlatives, is set to scale new heights when it sails off Sept. 4-10.
The 27th edition will gather 53 yachts of all sizes, from the minis to the maxis and super maxis, with the largest, Ohana, measuring 49.6 meters.
The event surpasses the previous record of 49 in 2010. The average size of the yachts nudges 28 meters, and if the entrants lined up bow to stern they would measure a little under 1.5 kilometers. For an event that has always been breathtaking in magnitude, these are seriously impressive numbers – proof of the continuing passion within the sport to push the boundaries of design, technology and knowledge.
“Rolex has always sought to associate with activities that, like itself, were motivated by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. Naturally, Rolex gravitated toward the elite world of sailing, forming an alliance that dates back to the late 1950s. Today, Rolex is title sponsor of some 15 major international events,” Rolex headquarters in Geneva said.
Ohana, designed by the late Ed Dubois and built by Fitzroy Yachts of New Zealand and weighing a spectacular 370 tons, overshadows her nearest rival, the contrasting replica J Class Lionheart, by some six meters.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is recognized and revered as a showcase for the latest trends in large monohull yacht design and technology. The five principal classes of Maxi are 18.29 meters or over.
The 11 Supermaxis – yachts in excess of 30.5 meters – feature some of the most recent launches, among them Swan 115s Highland Fling and Solleone – both designed by German Frers and built by the legendary Nautor’s Swan.
Nikata, designed by Judel/Vrolijk & Co and built by another respected Finnish yard, Baltic Yachts, is similarly 35-meters of custom carbon engineering.
The elegantly powerful and timeless lines of these Supermaxis hide a world of luxury below deck. Marco Voegele and the crew of the 2015 class winner Inoui, designed by Philippe Briand and built by Vitters Shipyard in the Netherlands, will have a challenging task ahead of them to defend the class title.
The Maxi division, populated by yachts between 24.08 and 30.5 meters, has nine entrants, including last year’s winner, Michael Cotter’s Reichel-Pugh-designed Windfall, launched in South Africa in 2013.
The Maxi 72 is an all-out racing yacht. During the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, these impressive craft, professionally crewed and driven by their passionate owners, leave nothing behind in their pursuit of perfection. Six closely matched thoroughbreds will be competing for their World Championship as well as a Rolex timepiece, the traditional reward for excellence on the water.
Defending champion Bella Mente, designed by Judel/Vrolijk and owned by Hap Fauth from the United States, comes to the event fresh from a triumphant appearance at the Copa del Rey in July.
The largest single class is reserved for Wally yachts, with a total of 13 entries. Renowned for their position at the forefront of innovation and advancement in the sailing industry over the past 22 years, Wallys are defined by futuristic lightweight technology and striking lines. Much of the attention will be focused on the Reichel/Pugh designed Wallycento Galateia launched in late 2015. Competing for the first time at the event, she will face a baptism of fire. Magic Carpet Cubed, another Wallycento from the same design-house, and Y3K, owned by former IMA president Claus-Peter Offen, have both been regular winners in recent years. 2015 class winner Open Season will not let her crown slip easily; yet another fleet where competition is expected to go to the wire.