Global Sailing World on Water Sept 20.24 AC Cup INEOS into LVCup Final, Am Magic 3:4, ROLEX Maxis

The 34th edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup got underway after extreme weather delayed the start for two days. Organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, in conjunction with the International Maxi Association, this renowned event has been partnered by Rolex for nearly 40 years. Some 44 Maxi yachts gathered to compete for the prestigious trophies, including the Rolex Maxi 1 World Championship, reserved for the fastest and most potent entries. Once again, the majestic scenery of the Costa Smeralda provides the backdrop.

This is your weekly Global Sailing highlights show, the World on Water, September 20, 2024.

INEOS Britannia has secured its spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, Ben Ainslie’s crew is the first team to progress to the Final, after winning the required five races against its opponent, Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
The Brits started the fourth race day on Wednesday with a 4-1 advantage over the Swiss. Alinghi Red Bull Racing was battling hard to remain in the competition, and claimed the win of the first race, but Ineos Britannia came back fighting in the second race to bank the all-important fifth win, in turn ending Alinghi’s America’s Cup journey. Ineos Britannia will either face Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli or New York Yacht Club, American Magic, in the first-to-seven series which starts on 26 September.

The New Yorrk Yacht Club American Magic team pulled off a stunning double victory against their Italian rivals, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, to bring the scoreline in the first-to-five-point Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final to 3-4. Both of the day’s matchups were sailed under cloudy skies, with the wind for the first race at the lower end of the America’s Cup-prescribed wind limit of six and a half knots. Have we seen this game before?

With only one day of competition so far completed due to an unprecedented number of days lost to high winds, expectation is high for a dramatic conclusion to the 34th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, tomorrow, Saturday 14 September.

Due to prior commitments SH our owner is unfortunately unable to drive his supermaxi Sun Hung Kai Scallywag 100 in the last day of the regatta. Under the owner driver rule the replacement helmsmen must be an amateur. Scallywags always look to develop talent and promote from within and tomorrow in the chance of a lifetime, our rib driver, 69 year-old Graham Turner, ‘GT’, has been promoted to helmsman for the last day off racing!
This race and this race alone will decide whether or not the Scallywags can become line honours world champions at this years Rolex Maxi World championships. GT is a true Scallywag, and has the team in support, and will no doubt put in a good show tomorrow,
We caught up with him earlier poolside in his luxury villa, for a chat on his new promotion, sailing background, the big race, and some sound advice. Over to you G T.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the most impressive events in the international yachting calendar and synonymous with excellence. Both the regatta and its organizer, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, have been partnered by Rolex since the mid-1980s. Indeed, the Y C C S and Rolex are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their close cooperation this year.
The 2024 edition, organized in collaboration with the International Maxi Association, tested the patience of the crews and the determination of the race committee. Both were rewarded with a spectacular conclusion.

Racing at the 2024 Rolex Swan Cup is underway.
An impressive fleet of over a hundred Swan yachts divided across four divisions are gracing the 22nd edition of the esteemed biennial event.
During today’s first day of competition, the Swan Maxi Division A (Maxi and Mini Maxi), Swan Division B (Sparkman & Stephens) and the largest group, the Swan Division C (Cruiser, Grand Prix) with 29 entrants, contested scenic coastal courses. The Swan One Design division classes, including the Club Swan 36, Club Swan 42, Swan 45 and Club Swan 50, completed two intense windward leeward races.