Stunning scenary, tactical agility

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Day Two.
On the second day of the regatta, the 35 strong Maxi fleet was split onto two separate race courses. A tactically challenging windward leeward course was set for the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship fleet, the nine strong Wally Class plus the magnificent J-Class fleet, all of which completed two races today. The remaining classes, including the Mini Maxi Racer/Cruiser Class was set a scenic 25-mile course with the iconic Monaci Lighthouse as the first mark, before rounding Secca dei Tre Monti and heading south to Mortoriotto. Hugging the rugged coast line and hauntingly beautiful islands along the Costa Smeralda, it was a stunning day on the water with spectacular scenery.
Two Maxi owners that have recently joined the International Maxi Association, enjoyed great success on Day Two of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship. Jeremy Pilkington's RP 78, Lupa of London was victorious in the Mini Maxi Racer/Cruiser Class and Roberto Tomasini Grinover's JV72, Robertissima III scored a first and a second in today's Mini Maxi Racing Division.
Jeremy Pilkington's RP 78, Lupa of London won today's coastal race by three minutes from Vladimir Liubomirov's Swan 60, Bronenosec with Gerard Logel's Swan 601, Arobas third. All three owners are members of the IMA. After time correction under IRC just six minutes separated the entire fleet.
“The weather at this regatta has been superb and with two wins out of the blocks it feels good, very good”, commented Jeremy Pilkington. “Lupa is entering a number of IMA events so it makes sense to join the association both in terms of affiliating with the organisers of the races and also financially as well, for example in terms of reduced entry fees. Also if a Maxi is participating in a number of IMA events then it is nice to be a part of the more formal organisation, to show your support and if you have any issues then you can raise them from inside rather than as an outsider. It also just right to show support for the people who have put so much time and energy into organising these events and give something back by being a member.”
Eddie Warden-Owen, tactician on Lupa of London commented dockside: “With a northerly wind direction it normally pays to go up the shore on the beat, which all of us did bar All Smoke but today offshore paid and All Smoke got a big lift and came into the picture. On Lupa, we played a few shifts to our advantage and got around the Monaci Lighthouse ahead of All Smoke and then the big decision was which spinnaker to go with. We chose the reacher, which was good for the breeze at that time but when it went light the chasing pack came back at us. The Lupa of London crew did a great job, anticipating sail changes and it was all about making the right decisions, Jeremy did a great job at the start and the crew performed well.”
Roberto Tomasini Grinover's JV72, Robertissima scored a first and a second in today's Mini Maxi Racing Division to have the best score line of the day. Robertissima's tactician, Vasco Vascotto spoke after racing.
“Before the start of the race, we had a big discussion about the wind conditions because we had a different forecast to what we were seeing on the race course. We were a little nervous but we trusted our forecast and I think we made the right choice and the team did a great job, you have to get everything right to win in this fleet, if you make one mistake you have to pay the bill!. This is the first championship for this team on this boat and we are trying to speed it up as much as we can. Roberto is becoming a great sailor, for sure he is the guy that is learning more and more and we are very proud of his effort and how much he is learning.”
Robertissima's owner, Roberto Tomasini Grinover was a very happy man as he came ashore and spoke about Robertissima's success today.
“It was a very complicated day, with light winds, big waves and a very shifty wind direction. We are specialists for the windward leeward because of our Melges 32 campaign. We feel very comfortable on this type of course and we were confident today. I am really enjoying the regatta because the atmosphere between the Mini Maxi owners is excellent, we are the latest entry into the class but the class has been very familiar, very open and helpful about everything, it is like a big family and I hope that they will all be coming to our big party tonight.”
After an intense competition on the Costa Smeralda, it is a tradition at the event for crews to mingle on the Piazzetta, sharing their thoughts over a bowl of pasta and a cold beer, courtesy of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Later tonight, the Robertissima party will take place at a private villa overlooking the stunning Maxi fleet moored in the marina. Social events are part of the history of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the highlight for members of the International Maxi Association will be the prestigious IMA Dinner, which will be held tomorrow evening.