The sun may be gradually setting on summer, but not so on the superyacht sailing season. September in the Mediterranean is the place to be for any keen sailor. Bringing with it a thrilling line-up of Mediterranean must-do regattas, September welcomes back two of the most significant events in the Mediterranean superyacht calendar ensuring sun, sailing, soirées and of course, stunning sailing superyachts. See you on the dock!
MAXI YACHT ROLEX CUP
It wouldn’t be the Mediterranean superyacht season without another return to the sailing Mecca of Sardinia, where, after a successful four days of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta earlier this year, we will be welcoming the thrilling Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup from the 4 – 10 of September 2022.
With the support of long-standing title sponsor Rolex, the regatta, also organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, in collaboration with the International Maxi Association, promises a week of spectacular racing against the backdrop of the Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena archipelago, with its beautiful waters and sailing conditions making it the perfect host for this highly competitive regatta.
Gathering the cream of nautical design and boat building in Porto Cervo together with globally renowned professional sailors, champions who have earned Olympic medals and America’s Cup victories, some of the most competitive boats in the fleet are undoubtedly the five former Maxi 72s, with Dario Ferrari on Cannonball returning to defend his title from last year.
BELLA MENTE; USA; Owner: Hap Fauth; Model: Maxi 72; Loa: 21,95; Designer: Botin Partners; Builder: New England Boatworks; Class: MM
BECOOL; GBR; Owner: Goldstone Projec Ltd; Model: Swan 98; Loa: 29,60; Designer: German Frers; Builder: Nautor Shipyard; Class: maxi
PROTEUS; MI; Owner: George Sakellaris Attn. Proteus Ltd; Model: J/V 72; Loa: 21.95; Designer: J/V; Builder: Persico; Class: MM
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will see an exceptional line-up of boats on the water for 2022, 50 yachts including four J Class yachts racing together; one original and three replicas of the elegant boats of over 40 metres designed to compete in the America’s Cup during the 1930s.
Svea, the largest yacht in the fleet at 43.6 metres, will sail alongside two regular competitors in the event, Velsheda and Topaz, whilst the J Class Ranger is also set to return having last participated in the event in 2014.
After taking home the winner’s trophy in the superyacht division at the 2022 Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta and scooping line honours at the Rolex Giraglia in June, Magic Carpet Cubed will also be returning to continue her winning streak and defend titles claimed in 2021, alongside fellow Giorgio Armani superyacht regatta entrant, the Wally 93 Bullitt. This will be her first Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup this year and we are expecting great things. The thrilling line-up of superyachts also includes the maxi racers Rambler and Deep Blue.
Ever evolving, the 32nd edition of the regatta will also go down in history as the first to open the door to foiling boats. The event will in fact host the race debut of Roberto Lacorte’s FlyingNikka, the first mini maxi capable of “flying” on foils in a similar way to the AC75 boats currently used in the America’s Cup.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is an unmissable annual event that combines competitive sailing with the glamour of the location and social events ashore. Owners and crew from all over the world meet in Porto Cervo each year as much to renew ties of friendship as for the fierce competition.
Photo Credit @ Carlo Borlenghi
Maxi Yacht Rolex CupÂ
LES VOILES DE SAINT TROPEZ
The Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez invites yachts from around the world to experience the magic of the gulf for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. The regatta takes place against the beautiful backdrop of Saint Tropez from the 24th September – 8th October this year.
Some of the world’s most beautiful classic and modern yachts will participate in what is an unmissable season finale at the end of an intense month of racing. Participants gather to race in this most beautiful of Mediterranean regattas complete with an unrivalled shoreside ambiance, crew camaraderie, exquisite evening events and glamorous parties we know and love.
For this 2022 edition the racing highlight will be the diversity of the fleets including an increasingly competitive class of 52-footers, an incredible line-up of schooners, breath-taking Maxis and, making their event debut, multihulls.
The boat to beat this year will again naturally be the Wallycento Magic Carpet Cubed, although there are some firm favourites expected among the other Maxis too, like the formidable Leopard 3 and Rambler.
The Maxi Yachts will be holding out for a repeat of the conditions they experienced last year, an exciting day of ‘champagne sailing’. The Performance Cruising Multihulls, newcomers to the class would also welcome similar conditions to show off their true speeds and seaworthiness.
In true Les Voiles fashion, both old and modern boats will be kicking off play, the classic boats attracting visitors and admirers from afar. During the second week the Port of Saint Tropez will change tack and on 2 and 3 October the superyachts will take centre stage.
“To put it simply, there’s a certain ‘je ne sais quo to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez” comments the multiple American sailing Champion, Ken Read, President of North Sails. “From wooden classics to flat-out racing machines (and everything in between) there’s really no assembly like this in the world. Les Voiles is two weeks of stellar sailing with a nightlife to match.”
We have all enjoyed getting our feet wet and back out on the water this year, a much awaited and welcome reunion for all.  Check out my ‘Top Sailing and Superyacht Regattas’ calendar for more must-do regattas this month and year-round and drop me an email if you would like a copy of the 2023 edition.
Photo Credit @ Gilles Martin Raget
Les Voiles de Saint Tropez
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Regatta Sailing Calendar 2022
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