The 34th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo will end this evening in Piazza Azzurra, Saturday 14 September, with the final awards ceremony. The strong winds of the past few days and the prohibitive weather conditions have allowed only the regatta on Wednesday 11 to be held, while today's race is almost here.

The results will be known during the ceremony that will decree the winners in the various categories. Only on Wednesday the crews benefited from perfect weather conditions: a westerly wind between 10 and 16 knots, clear skies and sunshine for the start of the races.

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda positioned two regatta courses, one for the coastal race of approximately 27 miles, which involved sailing clockwise around the islands of La Maddalena and Caprera to return to Porto Cervo, and the other for the windward-leeward trials involving the 10 yachts of the first Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship and the 4 yachts of the Maxi 2 class.

The two races reserved for the Maxi 1s competing for the first world title saw the Wallycento V of YCCS member Karel Komarek and the new 82' Capricorno of Alessandro Del Bono prevail respectively.

In the end, however, it was Wendy Schmidt's Deep Blue who positioned herself at the top of the rankings thanks to two consistent races, both of which ended in third place.

In the provisional rankings, Django HF, owned by YCCS member Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, with Vasco Vascotto calling tactics, and Leopard 3, owned by Joost Schuijff, with Ed Baird as tactician, follow, 1 and 2 points behind respectively.

Also during the regatta on Wednesday the Maxi 1s completed both of their scheduled windward-leeward races.

The Maxi 2s also raced on the same course, completing 3 races: with a first, a third and a second place, Jolt (formerly Cannonball), owned by YCCS member Peter Harrison, with New Zealander Hamish Pepper calling tactics, is currently leading the standings.

Following closely behind, just one point behind the leader, are Northstar of London, owned by Peter Dubens, a YCCS member, and Proteus, owned by George and Christina Sakellaris.

The Supermaxi class saw YCCS member Juan Ball's Moat prevail in the first regatta with Guillermo Parada calling tactics.

Next up are the two J Class boats, Svea and Velsheda, second and third respectively in the corrected times calculation, protagonists of a close duel along the entire course of the coastal race.

Among the nine yachts in the Maxi 3 class, Aldo Parisotto's Oscar 3 prevailed, followed by Rose and Grande Orazio, owned by YCCS member Massimiliano Florio.

The ten Maxi 4s saw Vincenzo Addessi's Fra Diavolo prevail over Wallyño, owned by IMA president Benoît de Froidmont and H2O, owned by YCCS member Riccardo de Michele.

Today's race will decide the final podium but the spirit of great harmony and friendship between crews confirms the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup as an extraordinary celebration of sport, competition and promotion of the territory, a calling card that goes around the globe and strengthens the Island as the home of world sailing.

LP

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