First Day of Racing

The first day of racing yesterday, starting with a 30 nautical mile race, officially began the XIII Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2002.

A light, 5-knot north-north West breeze greeted competitors for the first race, with the fleet heading from Porto Cervo towards the Archipelago of La Maddalena. After the first mark, two miles from the start, it was the Dutch “Sottovoce” leading, as the fleet headed for the Monaci lighthouse, the wind increased to 8 knots and swung to the NorthEast, providing better conditions for the leg to the Archipelago.

At the halfway stage of the race, “Morning Glory” was now leading the fleet through the Barattinelli Islets, with “Viriella” leading the cruising class. These positions held until the finish with Morning Glory heading the IMS fleet home on the water. It was, however, the IMS maxi of Alberto Roemmers “Alexia” who won the first day on corrected time, beating “Morning glory” by a mere 3 1/2 minutes after a four hour race.

IMS division, (Race 1)