| PORTO CERVO, ITALY-(10-9-2004) After five days of racing in ideal conditions, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2004, hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, has come to an end with the USA’s Pyewacket, Argentina’s Alexia and Italy’s Mister A winning the racing, Wally and cruising divisions, respectively. In today’s race, the same three boats won. All three divisions had a coastal course with the racing division sailing 30 miles, the Wally division sailing 26 miles and the cruising division sailing 23 miles.
Thirty-one Maxi yachts from 13 nations competed during a week of light to moderate winds under blue skies on courses that ranged from windward-leeward to longer, scenic coastal courses. The world renowned regatta featured elegant classic yachts along side of modern day boats with the latest racing technology. International CEOs including Roy Disney and business leaders from established companies such as L’Oreal, Pirelli and Wally Yachts sailed in addition to America’s Cup and Olympic champions. Maxi Yacht Rolex 2004 competitors attended social activities at the most beautiful of Sardinia’s venues, including the five-star Hotel Cala di Volpe. This year celebrates the 20 year partnership between the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Rolex.
“This has been a fantastic week of racing in a setting that is hard to match,” noted Roy Disney, owner of Pyewacket. “We had three factors working in our favor: excellent crew work, smart tactics and a great boat. –more-
Today, we went out to sail clean and enjoy ourselves. Our win, combined with the warm hospitality provided by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Rolex marks this regatta as a highlight on the world yacht racing calendar.”
“Even though we technically won the regatta yesterday, we love to race so we wanted to sail today with the same spirit,” said Alberto Roemmers Jr., son of owner of Alexia. “We have raced here before with our IMS Maxi Alexia, but this is the first time we raced our new Wally, and truly enjoyed the week. While we had a strong performance, we faced a major challenge on day one. A shackle used to douse the spinnaker exploded just prior to a takedown. In the process, I was knocked into one wheel, breaking it and then the sheet hit the other wheel, damaging the second wheel. For the rest of the race, we steered with the remaining spokes of both wheels.”
In the cruising division, throughout the week the closest competition was between
Mister A, the German Inspiration, and Great Britain’s Velsheda. The range of racing experience was as varied as the designs of the boats themselves as seen with the victory of Mister A.
“Since we are so much smaller than the other boats in our division, our goal was to sail our own race, which is exactly what we did,” said Aldo Pagani, owner of Mister A. “This is our first real Maxi regatta and our first experience in the serious race circuit. We hope we will have the same luck in St. Martin for the Heineken Cup and at Antigua Race Week.”
“We thank the competitors, many of whom have traveled a long distance, for their enthusiasm and commitment to the sport,” said Commodore Gianfranco Alberini. “It has been our privilege to host this distinguished fleet and we are happy to have welcomed our guests to our beautiful home. We thank Rolex for its partnership during the past twenty years and look forward to continuing our friendship in the future.”
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