Originally conceived in 2007 as a biennial event, the Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup will take place this November based on the success of the inaugural event held last Autumn. Early inquiries suggest a number of boats are already making plans to challenge for the title.

Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), the starting gun for the 2008 Cup will sound on Monday 24 November in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (the largest of the seven Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa). It should take them roughly two weeks to reach the finish line off the island of Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles.

While the seven yachts that participated in the 2007 race enjoyed a largely uneventful crossing, the traditionally steady northeasterly trade winds on the 2700-mile course offer plenty of challenges for this year’s competing maxi yachts of 18 metres (70 ft) and above.

“We had a great trip during the inaugural edition,” said Yerin Hobson from Dark Shadow. “The team spirit on board was excellent and although the competition was fierce we fought right up to the end. It’s a pleasure to cross the Atlantic with such good organization. And although we couldn’t fit it into our schedule [for 2008] we definitely intend to be back for the 2009 edition.”

Two Maxis who have submitted their 2008 entry forms are Sojana, the 115ft Farr Bermudian ketch owned by Peter Harrison (GBR), and Bossanova, the Simonis 67 belonging to YCCS member Pietro Motta (ITA).

Last year Sojana won the St. Barth Bucket and the St. Martin Heineken Regatta. She will be looking to improve on her second-place real time finish behind Nariida, the Wally owned by Morten Bergesen (NOR), who took line honors in the 2007 event.

The Cup is open to monohull Maxi yachts with a minimum overall length of 18 metres (59 feet) that are in compliance with the IMA’s five division regulations. For more information, click here.