Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2020 - Preview

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2019 © Rolex / Studio Borlenghi

As international yachting competition begins a cautious return, Rolex is pleased to continue its support for a sport with which it has enjoyed a long and privileged partnership.

Following the exceptional events of recent months, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2020 will mark one of the first competitive gatherings of elite professional sailing talent and cutting-edge yachts.

Rolex has been a committed partner to yachting since the late 1950s and the relationship with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and its organizers, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), became an integral part of the Swiss watch manufacturer's involvement with leading regattas and prestigious yacht clubs in the early 1980s. One of the most influential events in the sport, the 31st edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be held from Sunday, 30 August to Friday, 4 September.

The reasons for the event's longevity and continuing success are numerous. The level of competition is always first class and the organization is held in high regard. The racecourses offer an unrivalled combination of challenging conditions and scenic backdrops. Last but not least, the regatta has always been both the testing ground and the showcase for the latest in monohull yacht design and technology.

Rolex Testimonee and United States sailing legend Paul Cayard recognizes these qualities, having competed at the event for more than 30 years. "The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is a great example of how a sponsor and a yacht club can come together, create a long-term relationship and live through all of the evolutions required to remain at the top. As sailors, we love coming to compete - the winds, the sea, the spectacular scenery around the Sardinian coast and the organizational capacity of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda make it second to none. The entirety of the package makes it a must-do for the world's top sailors. It is the best big-boat event on the circuit."

Maxis are defined as yachts that are more than 18.29 metres (60 feet) long. At the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the fleet is divided into different categories according to performance type and length. The objective for all highly driven Maxi owners is to emerge victorious against equally skilled and prepared crews in their class.

Another former Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup competitor and Rolex Testimonee, the four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie, highlights the natural fit with Rolex's values.

"Precision and excellence are core to the overall performance in sailing from a sporting perspective and this is no more so than at the Maxi Yacht Cup. There is a clear and common link with the ideals Rolex stands for." The margins between success and failure on the water are very small. Any misjudgement or hesitation is seized upon by determined rivals. Excellence is not just sought, it is demanded.

Despite being reduced in number compared to previous years, the provisional entry list for this year's event makes enticing reading. Watching these imperious and powerful yachts challenge each other in such close quarters, and against a backdrop of narrow passages and rocky outcrops, is a special experience.

Five consecutive days of racing commence on the Monday (31 August). As has been custom for the past 35 years, and despite the challenging circumstances, the event will provide an outstanding environment for owners and sailors to reconnect with their passion for competition on the water.

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