The first day of racing began yesterday starting with the 30 nautical mile race, and marked the thirteenth edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2002, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with the Montres Rolex of Geneva.

A light 5-knot wind was essentially the only problem that the various teams experienced on the first day of racing, making conditions very tricky and calling on the best the tacticians had to offer.

The boats are divided into three categories: IMS, Wally, and Cruisers. Today they took the route from Porto Cervo towards the archipelago of La Maddalena, and more specifically, after the first mark, (placed two miles from the starting line), towards the Monaci Lighthouse, where they then turned under the coast of the Gulf of Arzachena.

At the first passage, the leading boats were the Dutch Sottovoce for the IMS, while Tiketitan was first for the Wally division, followed by Vittorio Morettis Viriella for the Cruisers.

At the height of Poltu Quatu, the wind increased to 8 knots, facilitating the return of these giant yachts towards the archipelago. By the midway point at the passage of the Barattinelli islets, Morning Glory held first in the IMS rating, Tiketitan led the Wally division, and Viriella for the Cruising division.

The three leading boats held onto their positions up until the finish line, but the first to cross the finish line was not the winner.

The overall winner of the IMS category by handicap was Alberto Roemmers with his Alexia, followed by Morning Glory, and Pier luigi Loro Pianas with My Song.

For the Wally division, the winner was Owen Jones Magic Carpet, followed by Thomas Bschers Tiketitanah and Genie of the Lamp.

For the cruising division the winner was Vittorio Morettis’ Virielle (also arrived first without compensated time), followed by Natuzzi’s Antonisaah and MackLowes’ Unfurled.