Following a successful introduction in 2005, the sixth edition of Rolex Capri Sailing Week returnst to the turquoise waters of Capri from the 26 to 29 May 2010, offering an opportunity for some spirited competition early in the Mediterranean racing season. The strikingly picturesque island
located in the Bay of Naples provides a stunning backdrop to the on-the-water action and a perfect setting for the off-the-water social activity.
Hosted by the Yacht Club Capri, the regatta comprises four days of highly competitive racing for a range of classes including Mini Maxi, Farr 40, Comet 45, Comet 41, X-41 and Mylius 14E55 yachts. Rolex Capri Sailing Week is hosted and organised by the Yacht Club Capri (YCC) with
the support of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), the Unione Vela Altura Italiana (UVAI) and the international Maxi Association (IMA). The Title Sponsor of the regatta is Rolex.
The regatta headquarters, including the Race Office and Media Centre, will be at the Marina Grande in the main port of Capri. This fully equipped, modern harbour also provides perfect berthing for the fleet. The racing area will be on the waters around the island.
All classes will sail a maximum of nine races. The Farr 40s and X-41s will sail only windwardleeward
(W-L) courses; whilst the mini maxis, Comet 45s, Comet 41s and Mylius 14E55s will sail
W-L courses and one coastal race.
The current entry list is made up of 34 entries from six different classes, two of which are one-design models, including the respected Farr 40s that will see Massimo Mezzaroma’s (ITA) Nerone, fresh from their win at the 2010 Rolex Farr 40 Worlds, competing on the water. With the mercurial Vasco Vascotto in the hot seat, Nerone has a reputation to uphold and will certainly capture a fair amount of attention as the current class favourite.
The Farr 40 Class also welcomes other international “top guns” such as the German-American architect Helmut Jahn, who will be racing on Flash Gordon and American Jim Richardson on Barking Mad, joining the rest of this international fleet that also features teams heading to Capri from Germany, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The other one-design class participating in the 2010 Rolex Capri Sailing Week is the X-41. Launched by X-Yachts, this class consists primarily of Italian competitors and sees the 2009 World Champion Pier Vector Grimani as one of the strongest in the fleet. The focus will also be on Alberto Signorini, co-helm of Nerone at the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds, who will be at the helm of Gianclaudio Bassetti’s WB Five, and Maurizio Pavesi at the helm of Coq Hardy, both contenders for victory in this class.
The Mylius 14E55 and the Comet 41S and 45S will race under the ORC International Rule, a system of measurement for “handicap racing,” designed to allow different sized boats to compete against one another. Handicap racing proves time and time again that a well-honed amateur crew with a competitive and well-maintained boat can upset the expected results. More information about the ORC handicap rule can be found in the Rolex Capri Sailing Week 2010 Press Pack on the regattanews.com event page.
For the Comets all eyes will be on Athanor, winner of its class in the 2009 edition of this event, and Libertine, frequent winner in Capri and overall winner of the 2007 Giraglia Rolex Cup. This year, Libertine’s Italian owner Marco Franco, member of the Yacht Club Capri, and Conny Vuotto, head of the YCC Sailing School, will be sailing onboard to defend the Comet 45S title.
The event this year also welcomes the participation of the Mini Maxi fleet for the first time. This class will include entries such as Andy Soriano’s (GBR) impressive 68-footer Alegre, overall winner at the 2009 Rolex Middle Sea Race, Peter Ogden’s (GBR) Jethou, Brian Benjamin’s (GBR) Aegir and Robertjan Zonneveld’s (ITA) Swan 601 Cuordisole among other massive beauties that complete the entry list.
