Maxis gather in Sardinia

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup kicks off this weekend in Porto Cervo with some high powered entries

The big boat focus switches from the Solent to the Mediterranean this weekend as over 20 maxi yachts square up to each other for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2001 in Sardinia.

Having been one of the principle guests at the America's Cup Jubilee in Britain, His Highness the Aga Khan now sees the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, which he established in the resort of Porto Cervo, host a demanding programme, mixing both inshore and distance race skills.

Given that the smallest of these yachts is 66 feet in length and the largest 183 feet, the crew work has to be first class and skippers include Olympic gold medallists like Thierry Pepponet of France.

Also making the journey from Cowes in England to compete will be two former America's Cup helmsman, Bruno Trouble, who helmed for France in 1977, 1980, and 1983, and Mauro Pelaschier, skipper for the YCCS when Azzura campaigned for Italy in Fremantle in 1986/87.

The boats themselves also have first class pedigrees. They are split into three classes and the 'Heavy' division including George Lindemann's massive Adela, refitted last year at the Pendennis yard in Cornwall, England, includes a 'Spirit of Tradition' sub-division.

This magnificent schooner, originally commissioned in 1903 and with a racing crew of not less than 20 - there will doubtless be almost as many guests aboard each day - will have to fight hard to beat the others on handicap.

Rolex Cup 2001 Entry List on page two.... continued on page 4...