The second day of competing at this year’s Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup was cancelled due to Sardinian storm, bringing thunder, lightning, heavy rain as well as extreme gusts.
Dockside at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
Porto Cervo, Sardinia, usually conspicuous with blue skies and sunshine in early September, witnessed a series of severe squalls and even persistent hail storms. “Our intention was to have coastal races for four classes and windward/leeward racing for the Mini Maxis,” explains Principal Race Officer Peter Craig. “We delayed the start this morning because we had reports of a very confused sea state which we decided to let settle with every intention of getting racing underway. Things then looked good. The breeze was further east than predicted and about 10-14 knots.”
Around midday, the elements took a turn for the worse as Craig reveals: “Unfortunately reports about conditions inside the strait led to some different decisions as the situation deteriorated very quickly. Wind speeds of 25 knots became 35 knots with hail and cloud formations which we deemed to be unsafe.” The Race Committee had no alternative than to call the 34-strong international fleet back off the water.
Big waves off Porto Cervo - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
The forecast for the coming days remains hard to predict due to the intense low pressure system prevailing over the northeast of Sardinia.
Weather permitting, today sees windward/leeward racing scheduled for the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship and coastal races for the other four classes. Crews will now expect to race on Thursday, previously scheduled as a lay day.
Dockside after races are cancelled because of severe weather conditions - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
The competition’s current leaders after the first day of racing are: sailing yacht Rán 2 (GBR) in the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship; superyacht Velsheda in Maxi Racing; sailing yacht Aegir (GBR) in Maxi Racing/Cruising; luxury yacht Nilaya (GBR) in Supermaxi and superyacht Magic Carpet 2 (GBR) in Wally.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the International Maxi Association, prestigious organizations with close ties to Rolex. A first-class social programme is in store, including the Rolex Crew Party and the final Prize-Giving Ceremony, where the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cups and Rolex timepieces will be presented to the winners.
