Pyewacket claims second day

After close battle with the new Wild Oats at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo

With winds increasing from five to 11 knots and calmer seas than day one, 31 boats in three divisions competed today in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

With a large spectator fleet present, the Racing, Wally and Cruising divisions raced on a 23-mile course, with the Racing Division sailing two additional legs. Roy Disney's maxZ86, Pyewacket, won the Racing Division on the water and on handicap for the second consecutive day in an ongoing battle with the much shorter Wild Oats owned by Australian wine magnate Robert Oatley. Argentinan yacht Alexia, owned by Alberto Roemmers, took first place in the Wally Division with Tiketitan, yesterday's winner, coming in third. In the Cruising Division, Mister A, owned by Italian Aldo Pagani, is leading pending final results.

"The racing up the first beat was very competitive between Pyewacket, Genuine Risk and Alfa Romeo," said Pyewacket's Gregg Hedrick. "We rounded first with Wild Oats close behind. We worked hard to maintain our lead and were successful." Genuine Risk and Alfa Romeo were subsequently disqualified from today's race for not sailing the proper course.

"We are pleased with second place, especially as we have had little time to practice," noted Bob Oatley. " Wild Oats just arrived on Sunday, which is when we dropped in the mast and put on the keel. Yesterday and today, our crew work was instrumental to our strong performance.

"However, Pyewacket's length overall provides us with our one of our toughest challenges. There is a lot more racing ahead of us and as we travelled a long way just for this regatta, we want to win."

Wild Oats is a 66 footer, whiler Pyewacket is 86ft, both yachts featuring canting ballast and from the Reichel-Pugh design stable. Pyewacket won by seven minutes on corrected time. Elsewhere in the Racing Division, Charles Dunstone's Nokia has been fighting a close battle with Raffaele Raiola's Idea, finishing two minutes behind, but ahead on corrected time.

"Tactics were critical today," said Alexia's owner. "Though we had the advantage of water ballast, positioning on the course was key to winning. We made the right decisions." Like Pyewacket, Alexia was first home in both real and corrected time.

The Cruising Division distinguishes itself from the other two divisions in that it is a mixture of modern yachts and classic boats known for their elegant lines and rich histories. These yachts not only include features that accommodate the most luxurious tastes, but also, utilise the latest in race technology such as rotating wingmasts as seen on today's winner Mister A.

" Mister A is very quick upwind, especially for her size, which was key to our victory today," said owner Aldo Pagani. "Even though we were passed by the majority of the fleet on the reaching and downwind legs, we made up three to four minutes on the long beat to the finish."

Ronald de Waal's class J Velsheda belied her classic lines to lead the Cruising Division home on the water, beating Harry Macklowe's Unfurled by just over a minute.

Racing continues tomorrow, 8 September, with the start of race three scheduled for noon.

For full results - click here

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