Porto Cervo, Italy.
3rd September 2008.


Photos Kurt Arrigo/Rolex. Alfa Romeo.

Overall leaders in their respective divisions after two days racing in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup are Ernesto Bertarelli’s Numbers (USA) for the Mini Maxi Division, George David’s Rambler (USA) in the Racing division, Magic Carpet 2 (GBR) in the Wally division and Ranger (USA) among the maxis of the Cruising division.

The YCCS Race Committee waited 2 hours for a thermal breeze to fill in to approximately 5 knots from the east before giving the first starting signal just before 1.30 p.m. A 25 mile course was set for the Racing and Wally divisions which took them west to the Secca Tre Monti before turning north and then heading back past Porto Cervo to round the tiny island of Mortoriotto and finishing off Porto Cervo. The Cruising and Mini Maxi divisions were set a 17 mile course which took them on the same route but finished off Porto Cervo without heading south to Mortoriotto.

In the racing division Alfa Romeo took line honours once again but fell behind Rambler on corrected time by just 18 seconds. Both now sit on three points overall with Rambler in first place thanks to today’s victory.

The newly launched Alfa Romeo 3 took line honours in the highly competitive Mini Maxi Division but fell back to fourth on handicap. Despite having to repair minor damage incurred during yesterday’s race, Ernesto Bertarelli’s Numbers (USA)took first place on corrected time followed by Andy Soriano’s Alegre (GBR) and Roger Sturgeon’s Rosebud/Team DYT (USA). All three hold the same positions in the overall classification.

Juan Vila, navigator on board Numbers “Due to the lack of wind, the start was postponed until 13:30 this afternoon. The race committee set a short course and we got off the start line in 6 knots of wind. We managed to stay ahead of the fleet in the light airs to be ready to take control of the situation when the wind increased. The boat showed a good turn of speed even in these conditions so we are happy to come ashore with another win today!”

In the Cruising division Arne Glimcher’s Ghost took victory in real time but it was Ranger, Velsheda (GBR) and Bristolian (NED), owned by Edwin van Der Stratan, who took the top three places respectively on compensated time. The two J Class yachts are at the top of the overall classification with Ranger in first place and Velsheda in second followed by Otto happel’s Hetairos (GER) in third.

Claus Peter Offen’s Y3K (GER) led the 143-foot Esense (ITA) across the line in real time amongst the Wally yachts but Thomas Bscher’s Open Season took handicap victory ahead of J One, owned by Jean Charles Decaux, and Offen. Magic Carpet, J One and Open Season now lead the Overall classification with just one point separating each position.

“We have to fight in our division with two similar-sized boats.” commented Jochen Schuemann, America’s Cup and Olympic sailor, calling tactics on Open Season. “Today we had a good start and all three were very close together. Luckily we were in a very good position to keep Magic Carpet behind us and not to lose distance on Y3K in front. Real concentration was important during the entire race, but especially close to the coast where the wind was stronger than further offshore. Tactical decisions were very important because although you can't influence the smaller boats behind you have to beat them. It is what we were able to accomplish today and of course we are very happy about. It has been the first win for Open Season since quite a long time ago. The crew did a great job today!”

Tomorrow’s forecast predicts slightly stronger winds of between 12 to 15 knots from the south east in the afternoon. Racing is scheduled to start at 11.30 am.

For further information on the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the entire YCCS sporting season please visit http://www.yccs.it or http://www.regattanews.com .

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION Place Boat Name Owner Nation, R1-R2-Points

Racing
1. ALFA ROMEO Neville Crichton NZL, 1-2-3.0
2. RAMBLER George David USA, 2-1-3.0

Cruising
1. RANGER, RSV Ltd USA, 1-1-2.0
2. VELSHEDA, Tarbat Inv. Ltd GBR, 3-2-5.0
3. HETAIROS, Rockport Limited (GER), 4-4-8.0

Mini Maxi
1. NUMBERS, Meyers/Bertarelli USA, 1-1-2.0
2. ALEGRE, Andres Soriano, 4-2-6.0
3. ROSEBUD/TEAM DYT, Roger Sturgeon USA, 3-3-6.0

Wally
1. MAGIC CARPET, 2 Lindsay Owen-Jones GBR, 1-4-5.0
2. J ONE, Jean-Charles Decaux FRA, 4-2-6.0
3. OPEN SEASON, Thomas Bscher GER, 6-1-7.0