Racing started at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (MYRC) and Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship recently in Porto Cervo.

This is the annual event, which is organized jointly by the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club, this year in the celebration of its 50th anniversary along with the International Maxi Association. The body is sanctioned by the World Sailing to represent the Maxi classes.

And the day was full of surprises for the competing seven classes. Initially, there were the conditions eight knots as declared in the forecast, but later it increased to the gusts of 15+ knots, although patchy.

Toni Cacace got delighted with the performance of his team who also turned out as winner of the Wally Class, owner of the Wally 94 Magic Blue. Despite being the only boat in the 11-strong class participating in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup for the first time. The start of the race was stressful and the building breeze favored the boats of smaller size with these sailing giants.

Cacace said, “It was very motivating and encouraging for us.” The boat was well aware of the course well as it has won the Sir Lindsay Owen Jones’ Magic Carpet two years first in 2006 and then in 2012.

Cacace further added that “We suffered when it is very light, but when we got the 12 knots average today, which increased later. The start was tense a bit; however, we went upwind well and cope up with the environment comfortable.”

“When you do not commit mistakes, a 14-year-old boat can also win” added Cacace.

Talk about the Maxi 72s, then hear the defending champion of Rolex World, Bella Mente won the race today, in spite of the fact that the Vice President of International Maxi Association had a disappointing season.