2019 will mark the 30th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which was founded by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in 1980, is hosted in cooperation with the International Maxi Association and has been supported by Rolex since 1985. The 2018 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup ended in traditional fashion with the final prize giving on the Piazza Azzurra in front of the Yacht Costa Smeralda. The winners in each class were rewarded with the respect of their peers, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup trophies and, of course, Rolex timepieces, the recognized emblem of achievement. The week of racing on the waters of the Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena Archipelago, provided excellent competition for the 41 competing yachts. The victors were defined by the perfection of their execution both in preparation and during racing.
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The 2018 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup featured some of the world’s most imposing yachts in close competition. From 2–8 September, world-class crews raced an impressive fleet of Maxis, ranging in size from just over 18 metres (60 feet) up to 44 metres (144 feet). Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), together with the International Maxi Association and Title Sponsor Rolex, the 29th edition came to an exciting finish, with Rolex timepieces awarded for overall honours to Topaz in the Supermaxi class, Grande Orazio in Maxi, Lyra in Wally and SuperNikka, H2O in Mini Maxi Group 1 and Group 2 and MOMO, crowned World Champion in the Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship. Rolex World of Yachting video first published Sep 21, 2018.
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LIVE Tracker #RORCTransatlanticRace UPDATE Dec 11, 2018: Kuka 3 wins the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy--Franco Niggeler was presented with the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy by Grenadian Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, M.P. at a ceremony held at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada--while several yachts are still racing, none of them can beat the time set by Kuka 3 after IRC time correction.
08 Dec 2018 at 20:00 UTC: rest of the class leaders nearing the finish:
Kuka 3 finished the race 06 Dec 2018 for an apparent 1st in IRC overall.
2018 RORC Transatlantic Race Kuka 3 finish video above. Franco Niggeler's Swiss Cookson 50 Kuka3, skippered by Chuny Bermudez, overcame technical issues and a fire on board to post the best IRC corrected time, so far in the RORC Transatlantic Race. After over 12 days of racing in the Atlantic Ocean, the crew looked tired but elated to arribe at Camper and Nicholsons PortLouis Marina.
Kuka3 RORC Transatlantic Race on Thursday 06 December, 2018 at 17:34:35 UTC in an elapsed time of 12 days 5 hrs 34 mins and 35 secs. Kuka3 was the second yacht racing under IRC to finish the race, after Pier Luigi Loro Piana's Supermaxi My Song. Kuka3 has set the best time after IRC correction and is in a very strong position to win the race overall and lift the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy.
After finishing the RORC Transatlantic Race Kuka3 was safely moored at Camper and Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, where manager Charlotte Bonin and staff cracked open iced cold beers for the Kuka3 team. Chinel Sandy from the Grenada Tourism Board presented Franco Niggeler with
with a basket of Grenadian goods, including chocolate, local spices and condiments. After 12 days of freeze dried cuisine the warm welcome was very much appreciated! RORC Race Officer Steve Cole was on hand to congratulate Kuka3 for finishing the race.
“It was hard especially with the problems at the beginning but it was a beautiful race and we are happy to be here.” commented Kuka3 owner Franco Niggeler. “The Kuka crew has been fantastic, we have a great leader in Chuny (Bermudez) and he has formed us into a team, we are growing together with his guidance. When things did not go well for us it simply comes down to is simple; you have to fight, try harder and you can overcome the problems. The first beer in Grenada tastes really good especially after drinking warm desalinated water for 12 days.”
“Franco is incredible, he probably was driving the boat more than anyone else for the race, and he is always keen to learn, and that is so important for Franco and for all of the team, especially that he is also very happy.” commented Kuka3 skipper Chuny Bermudez. “It was an interesting race and our first as a team offshore. I was really impressed with the guys, especially as some of them are a bit new to offshore racing. I provide the boundaries and they performed well even when we had our problems. The pitstop in Cape Verde was like a formula one, very fast, just four hours to change batteries and a few cables. Five days before the finish we also had a fire on board, which we dealt with very well, everybody went straight up on deck and we used the correct extinguisher. However we were without communication for days and it was a really big test for us.”
04 Dec 2018: Supermaxi My Song finished at 04 Dec 2018 17:47 UTC, 1st in Line Honours Monohull, setting new monohull race record.
01 Dec 2018: Multihull Line Honours for Maserati Multi 70 - PowerPlay close behind:on 1 December 2018 at 06:54:34 UTC, Giovanni Soldini's Italian Multi 70 Maserati was the first to cross the line in Grenada, taking multihull line honours to finish the 5th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race. The team completed the 3,000 mile race between Lanzarote and Grenada in an elapsed time of 6 days, 18 hours, 54 minutes and 34 seconds. They were closely followed by Peter Cunningham's MOD70 PowerPlay, who crossed the finish line off Port Louis at 07:40:12, after an Atlantic duel between the two mighty trimarans.
Maserati Multi 70 - RORC Transatlantic Race - Day 6:
Video above published Nov 29, 2018.
PowerPlay | RORC Transatlantic Race Start 2018
The fifth edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race started on schedule at 1200 UTC on Saturday 24 November. The fleet bid farewell to Marina Lanzarote which had once again provided an ideal location to prepare for the 3,000 nautical mile race to Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina Grenada. “The fleet got away to a clean start,” commented RORC Deputy Racing Manager, Tim Thubron. “Kuka 3 was first over the line, followed by Class40 Hydra and the two multihulls; PowerPlay and Maserati. My Song held back at the start but was at speed and full upwind mode at the pin, soon leaving the rest of the monohulls in their wind shadow.” The expected light airs start was enhanced by a sea breeze with many of the teams electing to stay inshore to gain lifting pressure rolling down the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote. Pier Luigi Loro Piana's Supermaxi My Song was the first boat to the turning mark at Puerto Calero Marina, followed by the multihulls. Peter Cunningham's MOD70 PowerPlay took first blood in the duel with Giovanni Soldini's Maserati Multi 70. PowerPlay led at the turning mark by several boat lengths. Both trimarans were still able to fly a hull in the light pressure, and no doubt the duel across the Canary Islands will be the next phase of the battle to Grenada. Franco Niggeler's Swiss Cookson 50 Kuka 3 was going well, second on the water in the IRC class behind My Song. Arto Linnervuo's Finnish Xp-44 Xtra Staerk made a cracking start, beating all three Class40s to the turning mark at Puerto Calero. In the Class40 division, Henrik Bergesen's Norwegian flagged Hydra was first to the mark, just ahead of French skipper Catherine Pourre, racing Eärendil. Stephane Bry's French-Finnish corinthian team racing Sirius was some way behind the leaders, but all set for a 'tick the box' adventure. Trevor Middleton's British Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep got away well, the smallest yacht in the race has a crew of five and a massive fan club back home, especially from Yorkshire, Trevor's home county. The amateur crew racing First 47.7 Kali is skippered for the first time by Corinne Wirth. Representing the Swiss Ocean Racing Club, the team are indicative of the ethos of the race. Sail safe and fast! My Song was making good speed in the light winds leading the monohull fleet, with Kuka 3 six miles astern. Class40s Eärendil and Hydra were side-by-side matched for speed. The entire fleet are heading north above all of the Canary Islands avoiding the wind shadow from the islands. With the ridge of high pressure predicted to provide light winds, the overall strategy for all of the competing yachts will be to stay in the best pressure during the first night. Finnish Xp-44 Xtra Staerk was still ahead of the Class40s at 1800 UTC and skipper Arto Linnervuo commented from on board; We had light winds at the start and inshore it was very shifty, so we had to concentrate on keeping the right side of that. We have now seen the wind go to the south and increase a little to about 11 knots. The spirit on board is fantastic and we are so happy to start this race. We are living our dream and we have such interesting boats and sailors to compete with. As the sun goes down, we can feel the chill in the air, but we are dreaming of getting south into warm trade winds and what promises to be fantastic sailing conditions.”
2018 RORC Transatlantic Race starts Saturday 24 November, 2018, 1200 UTC, racing from Marina Lanzarote, Canary Islands, to Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada. Race organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the International Maxi Association. LIVE Tracker
Official website: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup – Event Review – 10th September 2016:
The 27th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup demonstrated once again that it is a compelling and intoxicating combination of many characteristics. Impressive yachts, stunning location, meticulous race management, precision teamwork, intense competition and challenging conditions. All play their part in creating a fascinating week of yacht racing. Now in its thirty-seventh year, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is an event of considerable standing. Title sponsor Rolex has been part of the fabric since 1984 and plays its part in growing the event with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the International Maxi Association. 2016 will be particularly remembered for varied conditions, remarkable yachts and great competition. Video published Sep 10, 2016. Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup – Day 4 Review – 8th September 2016:
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the most intently fought contests in the yachting calendar. The winners of the Rolex timepieces at the end of week prize giving will have displayed sound preparation, resolute determination and consistent levels of high performance. Renowned for the excellence on display in the design of the competing boats and the professionalism of the crews, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is also famed for the host club’s determination to lead and innovate in the world of race management – a philosophy appreciated by Swiss watchmaker Rolex and reminiscent of its own approach within its field. Published Sep 9, 2016. more about sailing below (@ web version link below for mobile) Follow @johnthecrowd
Above: RORC Transatlantic Race 2014 - Transatlantique à la voile de Lanzarote à Grenade sur un Class 40 en 14 jours, du 30 novembre au 14 décembre 2014. - Transatlantic sail from Lanzarote to Grenada on a Class 40 in 14 days, from November 30 to December 14, 2014.
THE RORC TRANSATLANTIC RACE:
The second RORC Transatlantic Race starts in Lanzarote on Saturday 28th November 2015 and the 2,995 nautical mile race runs through the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic to arrive in Grenada
The race is run in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA)
The winner of the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy for best elapsed time under IRC in 2014 was Jeremy Pilkington's Lupa of London. The Baltic 78 was also presented with the International Maxi Association's Line Honours Trophy at a prizegiving ceremony held at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina at the finish in Grenada
2015 RORC Transatlantic Race - In association with the International Maxi Association - Race begins Saturday 28th November - Start: Lanzarote - Finish: Grenada
Life in the Fast Lane
Competitors in the RORC Transatlantic Race, jointly organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the International Maxi Association, are making their way to the start from Marina Lanzarote with many of the international fleet sailing thousands of miles to take part in the second edition of the race. However, just 10 days before the start, Tony Lawson's MOD 70, Concise 10 was still in its home port of Hamble, UK, over 1,500 miles from the start line. For the RORC Transatlantic Race, Concise 10, skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield will be taking on Lloyd Thornburg's Phaedo3 in a high speed duel across the Atlantic.
"Trying to get south at this time of year when you have depression after depression rolling across the Atlantic always makes things interesting, so it is going to be a fairly fruity delivery for Concise 10," commented Collier Wakefield. "We have had quite a lot of work to do on the boat to get ready for the RORC Transatlantic Race and with our base in Hamble and all the team living close by, there was no reason to leave earlier. We originally planned to leave on Monday 16th November but the change in that decision was driven by the weather. Our primary goal for the delivery is to arrive in one piece and with several weather depressions coming through, we are holding out for a weather window on Friday 20th November."
Legendary French solo sailor Francis Joyon, concurs with Concise 10. Joyon's Maxi-trimaran, IDEC SPORT is on amber alert in the Bay of Biscay for an assault on the Jules Verne Trophy. The French team may leave on Saturday at roughly the same time as Concise 10 pass their proposed start.
Collier Wakefield describes the weather scenario: "This departure takes into account more favourable conditions with a shift in the breeze to the north west, we should have about 15-20 knots, a good angle to get out of the English Channel and past Ushant. The breeze is due to build later on to 35 knots and we really want to stay just in front of that all the way down, which will mean sailing the boat to about 80% of its capability until we reach Cape Finisterre. Once we make the Portuguese coast, the weather should settle down considerably with the depressions passing north over the top of us so we should have a fast downwind ride to Lanzarote.
"At the moment, we are looking at three and a half days for the delivery, which over 2,000 miles will be very quick. We are looking at boat speeds often over 30 knots and in the early part of the delivery, the northwesterly wind chill factor will be about -5ºC, so it will be woolly hats, thermals, boots, full dry-suits, helmets and goggles."
The RORC Transatlantic Race is organised under ISAF Offshore Special Regulations, RORC Prescriptions, Category 1 plus Satellite Phone. Competing yachts are inspected before the start to ensure that they have complied with the regulations. Concise 10 will also be following these regulations for the delivery to Lanzarote.
"Safety on board is always hugely important and is always at the forefront of our minds," commented Collier Wakefield. "We have been going through all of our MOB and capsize procedures and we have everything in place with Falmouth Coastguard. On deck, all of the crew will be wearing lifejackets at all times and a bum-bag containing an AIS Beacon, knife and torch - nobody is allowed on deck without them. We are very vigilant towards all aspects of safety. Concise 10 is carrying, to the letter, all of the safety equipment required for the RORC Transatlantic Race and we are sailing with the full race crew.
"Once we get to Marina Lanzarote we will take a day off and then we will be sailing everyday to practice in the conditions for the RORC Transatlantic Race. We are really looking forward to it and it is exciting to line up against Phaedo again. We are under no illusions that they have had a lot more time on their boat than we have, and effectively it will be a one-design match race across the Atlantic. I don't want to ramp it up, but we have met each other twice and we have come out one-all so far. Phaedo have been pushing their boat hard, breaking lots of records and it is going to be very interesting to see how we come out against them. More than anything, it will be really enjoyable racing in two boats with such enormous capability in trade winds with Atlantic swell across an ocean."
Marina Lanzarote is finalising preparations for the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race with a full social calendar for all competitors and invited guests. The Welcome Reception at the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife is on Monday 24th November with the Westerhall Rum Party, held in Marina Lanzarote the following day. There will be social activities every evening in the week before the start, including the Gala Dinner on Thursday 27th November.
For more information about the RORC Transatlantic Race: www.rorctransatlantic.rorc.org source: Press Release 19 November 2015
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Above video: Volcano Race 2015 - Line Honours Video - IMA - International Maxi Association
Above: Rolex Capri Sailing Week 2014 - IMA - International Maxi Association
IMA | News: "Competitors in the RORC Transatlantic Race - which is jointly organised by the International Maxi Association (IMA) - are making their way to the start from Marina Lanzarote. The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) announced that the Caribbean island of Grenada would continue to host the international fleet at the end of their 3,000 nm Atlantic race. The final and longest race in the annual RORC racing programme counts towards the 2016 Season's Points Championship series. A dozen teams including both corinthian and professional sailors from France, Great Britain, Belgium, Russia, Spain and Canada will compete for an impressive array of silverware, including the fine vintage silver trophy presented by the International Maxi Association (IMA) for monohull line honours."
2015 RORC Transatlantic Race In association with the International Maxi Association
When: Saturday 28th November - Start: Lanzarote - Finish: Grenada
The second RORC Transatlantic Race starts in Lanzarote on Saturday 28th November 2015 and the 2,995 nautical mile race runs through the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic to arrive in Grenada
The race is run in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA)
The winner of the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy for best elapsed time under IRC in 2014 was Jeremy Pilkington's Lupa of London. The Baltic 78 was also presented with the International Maxi Association's Line Honours Trophy at a prizegiving ceremony held at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina at the finish in Grenada
THE ORGANISERS:
Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral's Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes as well as inshore regattas such as the RORC Easter Challenge and IRC National Championships in the Solent
The RORC works with other yacht clubs to promote their offshore races and provides marketing and organisational support. The RORC Caribbean 600 based in Antigua and the first offshore race in the Caribbean, has been an instant success and last year the RORC extended its organisational expertise by creating the new RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Grenada in November 2014
The club is based in St James' Place, London and Cowes, Isle of Wight
In co-operation with the French offshore racing club, UNCL, RORC is responsible for IRC, the principal international handicap system for yacht racing worldwide.The Spinlock IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris, France. The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement. For Spinlock IRC rating information in the UK please see: www.rorcrating.com
The racing activities for the Maxi as a separate class started in Porto Cervo in 1980 with the first Maxi Yacht Cup. Immediately afterwards an association of the Maxi owners was founded under the name "International Class A Yacht Association" (ICAYA) with Baron E. de Rothschild elected the first President of the Class. The legal office was created in Geneva, Switzerland. "Class A" was the definition of a Maxi boat in the IOR rating system in force at that time. The following year Gianfranco Alberini was appointed first Secretary General of the Association. ICAYA organized the Maxi Yacht World Championship for many years in Porto Cervo as its European base, as well in other venues in USA - Honolulu, Newport R.I., Miami, St. Thomas, San Francisco. In Europe Puerto Portales, Antibes and Saint Tropez were selected as championship locations
When the definition "Class A" disappeared with the change from IOR it was decided to rename the Class as "International Maxi Association" (IMA). The Class is now registered in Geneva (Switzerland), has a base in Porto Cervo and an office in the USA, for rating and technical matters. The Class is now expanding its activities, and in 2010 the first Mini Maxi World Championship took place in September in Porto Cervo, Italy, In 2011 the new Rolex Volcano Race opened the Mediterranean sailing season
Andrew McIrvine took over as Secretary General in 2013. In 2014 the pure racer Mini Maxis were reformed into the Maxi 72 Class. The IMA has organised previous Maxi Transatlantic races but this is the first in association with RORC. IMA has presented a vintage trophy for line honours for this new race
IMA is a recognized member of the IRC Congress. Since November 2010 ISAF has recognised the Maxis as an international class. This means that the International Maxi Association is now the sole authority with the right to hold World and Continental Maxi Championships
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