The 35th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup ended in Porto Cervo yesterday (13 September 2025) with a week of racing that tested skill, endurance, and technology. Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) with the support of the International Maxi Association (IMA) and title sponsor Rolex, the regatta also celebrated 40 years of Rolex’s partnership with maxi yacht racing. The combination of glamour ashore and intensity afloat once again made this one of the defining events of the Mediterranean sailing calendar.
This year’s fleet numbered 47 yachts, each over 60 feet, competing across five divisions. The spotlight fell on the two official Rolex World Championships in the Maxi 1 and Maxi Grand Prix classes, but competition across Maxi 3, Maxi 4, and the mighty Supermaxis proved equally compelling. From dramatic calms to full-blooded Mistral winds, the event showcased the complete range of conditions the Costa Smeralda can deliver.
Calm beginnings – Day 1
The opening day, Monday (8 September), promised light but sailable winds. In the end, the fleet found itself drifting on a glassy sea. The Race Committee attempted to start the Maxi 1 class on a short coastal course, but after only a few minutes it was clear the breeze could not sustain a fair contest. With the rest of the fleet held ashore, the “AP over A” signal was raised mid-afternoon. Principal Race Officer Stuart Childerley summed up the frustration: “We had 3 knots from 270°, but at the Golf and Echo marks there was total calm. The chances of completing a satisfactory race today did not materialise.”
That gentle opener belied the week ahead, which would ask a lot more of boats and crews.
Breeze and breakthroughs – Day 2
Conditions improved dramatically on Tuesday. With north-westerly winds averaging 16 knots, the regatta finally hit its stride. The Race Committee wisely brought the start forward to 11am, allowing the Grand Prix fleet to complete two tight windward-leeward contests. Peter Harrison’s Jolt scored a first and second, setting the early pace in the Rolex IMA Maxi Grand Prix World Championship. Bella Mente and Django 7X were close behind, separated by only a few points.
Meanwhile, the Maxi 1 division sailed a 30-mile coastal course around the La Maddalena Archipelago. Here, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ striking new Magic Carpet E showed blistering pace, completing the course in just over two hours with bursts near 30 knots. Bullitt of YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati followed, with V in third. Elsewhere, Nice, H2O, and Moat established themselves as early leaders in Maxi 3, 4, and Supermaxi.
Day 2 was also a reminder of the diversity of the fleet: from carbon-fibre flyers to long-campaigned racer-cruisers, all raced the same waters but with different strengths.
The Mistral arrives – Day 3
On Wednesday the forecast Mistral arrived exactly on cue. Starting at 12 knots, it built to 20 with gusts of 25, producing thrilling conditions across both race courses. The Maxi 1 class completed two windward-leeward races. V and Galateia each claimed a win, while Leopard 3 and Bullitt stayed in touch. A highlight of the day was the presence of Maddalena Spanu, European Wingfoil Racing champion, aboard Bullitt. “It was a fantastic experience,” she said. “I was struck by the speeds downwind—well over 20 knots—and even had the honour of steering on the way back to Porto Cervo.”
The rest of the fleet raced a demanding 36–40 mile coastal course threading through Mortoriotto, Capo Ferro, Passo delle Bisce, and around Spargi before a dramatic return past Monaci Islet. The fleet experienced shifting skies, squalls, and patches of sun that made the spectacle unforgettable. In Maxi Grand Prix, Django 7X edged Vesper by just 24 seconds, taking the championship lead. Oscar 3 climbed to the top of Maxi 3, while H2O and Moat remained unbeaten in their divisions.
Wind on the edge – Day 4
By Thursday (11 September) the Mistral was blowing harder still, averaging 23–24 knots with gusts topping 30. The Race Committee shortened the coastal course to 21 miles for safety. V claimed victory in Maxi 1, consolidating her lead, while Leopard 3 and Galateia kept the pressure on. Maxi 3 produced a fresh winner in Ganesha, while H2O and Moat once again won convincingly in their classes. For the Grand Prix fleet, the wind proved too strong: windward-leeward racing was cancelled, leaving standings unchanged with Django 7X, Jolt, and Bella Mente holding the top three spots.
Blown out – Day 5
On Friday, hopes of racing faded quickly. Winds strengthened to 27–28 knots with gusts above 30. Although the fleet left port for a coastal race around Mortorio and Soffi, conditions proved impossible. By early afternoon, the “AP over A” signal was raised, cancelling all racing. Everything now hinged on the final day.
Final day drama – Day 6
The closing day, yesterday (13 September), delivered ideal conditions. With 10 knots at the start, rising to 18 with a northward shift, both Maxi 1 and Maxi Grand Prix contested two decisive windward-leeward races. The other classes enjoyed a coastal course around Caprera and La Maddalena, finishing through Bomb Alley under gennakers.
Galateia takes Maxi 1 crown
The Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship went down to the wire. Galateia, owned by David Leuschen and Chris Flowers with Murray Jones calling tactics, clinched victory on countback after tying on points with Leopard 3. Leopard’s win in the final race was not enough to overturn Galateia’s earlier pair of bullets. YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati’s Bullitt finished just one point behind in third. Pre-event favourite V slipped out of contention after a broken gennaker and poor finishes on the final day.
Simon Fisher, navigator on Galateia, said: “This is a really competitive class and it came right down to the wire. We’re very happy to come away with the win.”
Django 7X wins Grand Prix title
The Rolex IMA Maxi Grand Prix World Championship was equally tight. Giovanni Lombardi Stronati’s Django 7X, designed as a lighter, water-ballasted wallyrocket 71, secured the title by two points. Peter Harrison’s Jolt took second and Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente third, tied on points with Jolt. The result marked a triumphant return for the former Maxi72 fleet, racing for the first time since 2018 with a world title at stake.
Vasco Vascotto, tactician on Django 7X, paid tribute to his team: “It was a team achievement, everyone contributed. I think that today we put in our best performance of the year, especially in the last race, pushing with every single manoeuvre. In the end it came down to millimetres.”
Class victories for Oscar 3, H2O, and Moat
In Maxi 3, Aldo Parisotto’s Oscar 3 prevailed, edging YCCS member Massimiliano Florio’s Grande Orazio by two points. The Baltic 68 Ganesha completed the podium. Maxi 4 was dominated by Riccardo De Michele’s H2O, which posted a perfect four-race scoreline. Luigi Sala’s Yoru finished second in every race, while Gerard Logel’s @robas came third. In the Supermaxi division, Juan Ball’s Swan 115 Moat also delivered a flawless performance, winning all four races. Australian contender Inti finished second, with Inoui third.
Ashore in Porto Cervo
The regatta was not only about racing. Exclusive social events filled the evenings, from the Rolex Gala Dinner on Thursday to the Crew Party in Piazza Azzurra the following night. At the final prize-giving in Piazza Azzurra, special awards added meaning: the Commodore Alberini Perpetual Trophy for sportsmanship went to Riccardo Genghini and Marietta Strasoldo, owners of Lunz Am Meer, while the Paolo Massarini ORC Challenge Trophy was awarded to presented to the winning yacht in the Supermaxi class, Moat.
YCCS Commodore Andrea Recordati reflected: “The 35th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has drawn to a close after an intense week. I congratulate the winners and thank Rolex, with whom we are proudly celebrating 40 years of title sponsorship. This year also carried special significance with the establishment of a new trophy in memory of His Highness the Aga Khan IV, founder of the YCCS.”
A defining edition
The 2025 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be remembered for its breadth of conditions, fierce rivalries, and the celebration of four decades of partnership between Rolex and YCCS. From the technical brilliance of Magic Carpet E to the resilience of Leopard 3 and the breakthrough triumph of Django 7X, the week embodied the essence of maxi yacht racing: power, elegance, and the constant drive to push boundaries.
For New Zealand readers, the presence of familiar sailors like Dean Barker (tactician onboard Artemis Bleu) and Stu Bannatyne (Proteus’ strategist) added another layer of connection to an event fought half a world away. Above all, the regatta reaffirmed why Porto Cervo remains the ultimate stage for big-boat racing—an arena where legends are made and traditions renewed.
