Rolex’s partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.The Rolex Yacht-Master is one of the Rolex models designed and inspired by ocean life. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. After an enforced hiatus in 2020, this year’s edition has been an inspiration and confirms a bright future for the class.
It brings together a formidable combination of exceptional location, impeccable organization and skilled competitor that is unmatched. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has unrivalled status in the world of maxi racing and deservedly so. Plus, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has been, for so long, the event we all want to win,” commented Owen-Jones, adding: “There is a third reason, this year, and that is that a very varied fleet of maxis has produced some very exciting racing.” It is everybody’s favourite because of the islands and the way the geography creates wonderful racing. “There are always two very strong reasons for being here. Lindsay Owen-Jones, owner of Magic Carpet Cubed and a seven-time winner over 20 years of participation was thrilled to have come top of the high-calibre Maxi division, featuring a mix of pure-racers such as Comanche and Rambler, as well as performance cruisers such as his own yacht and Galateia, a winner here in 2017. The quality of the organisation on the land, on the dock and on the water has been extremely high, so too the level of competition.” He went on to highlight a special ingredient: “The real success this week is that everyone has been happy to be here.” YCCS Commodore Michael Illbruck said of the partnership: “We are like-minded people, it is intrinsic that we want to do things well.” While Benoit de Froidment, President of the IMA, was delighted with the standard of the regatta, particularly in light of the preceding 18 months of global uncertainty: “It was a great event this year. Together with long-term title sponsor, Rolex, this bold partnership has ensured the regatta continues to keep pace with the development of the maxi yacht.
Racing challenged the preparation and mindset of the competitors, starting in light airs and ending with a crescendo as the fourth day provided the biggest winds of the week. Those teams exhibiting the strongest will, the keenest experience and the sharpest intuition proved the most successful.įirst held in 1980 and biennial until 1999, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has evolved under the mindful stewardship of the host club and the governing body of the class. With the final day of racing lost through a lack of wind, overall results favoured those yachts that performed superbly from the outset and maintained a high level of consistency throughout the event. Divided into five principal classes based on size and potential, the winners were: Velsheda (Supermaxi) Magic Carpet Cubed (Maxi) Cannonball (Mini Maxi 1) Capricorno (Mini Maxi 2) and Lyra (Mini Maxi 3).
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