FT and Wally

Innovative superyacht manufacturer formalises race circuit for 2011

Wally has joined forces with the Financial Times to launch a new Maxi Yacht racing series starting this year. The FT Wally Grand Prix Series will be a unique series of races for the world’s largest fleet of maxi racing yachts.

The racing teams will feature sailing’s premier talent from the America's Cup and the Olympics together with some of the most prominent captains of industry. The series is to take place between April and October, across the Mediterranean.

Wally founder and President, Luca Bassani, said: “Wally DNA is based upon a passion for performance, for design and for the sea. Competition is what drives our research, development and innovation. It is the lifeblood of any sport and it is at the very heart of Wally.”

He continued, “The inaugural FT Wally Grand Prix Series will feature some of the sport’s highest profile ambassadors, such as legendary America’s Cup sailors Loïck Peyron and Francesco de Angelis. We are all looking forward to a gripping racing season as well as to a series that will grow in scale and stature over the coming years.”

FT Weekend Editor Caroline Daniel, said, “We are delighted to partner with Wally on the FT Wally Grand Prix Series. Maxi yacht racing engages our readers at numerous levels, be it the competition, innovation and excitement of the boats and the races or equally to understand what drives the global business leaders who participate in the sport. Maxi yacht racing is the only arena in which top businessmen and top sportsmen compete side by side, so the series is a natural fit for FT Weekend.”

2011 schedule: 
           
PalmaVela - April 20-24, Palma de Mallorca, Spain   
Nespresso Cup - May 6-8, Portofino, Italy   
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta - June 7-11, Porto Cervo, Italy   
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup - September 2-10, Porto Cervo, Italy     
Voiles de St Tropez - September 27-October 1, St Tropez