Canting Keel technology delivers greater speed to Maxi racing
from On the Water (265 articles)
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Image Gallery ( 11 images )September 17, 2004
Sailing is often likened to standing under the shower tearing up hundred dollar bills. Unless you race in a stellar class such as Maxi Yacht's that is - then you can add a few zeroes to the denominations you're turning into confetti. In early September, 2004, the class got more expensive to run - way more expensive, thanks to the advent of the canting keel.
Every boat running at the pointy end of the racing in what are effectively the world championships for Maxi yachts had one of the new canting keels, relegating last year's champ, Alfa Romeo, into sixth place.The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup has just concluded at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, in Sardinia, Italy. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is effectively the World Championships for the class and it gathers the best boats in the world. Unlike most sporting contests, nearly all of the competitors have another claim to fame - nobody can afford to play this high stakes game unless they have achieved spectacular business success and a discretionary income sizeable enough to feed a small third world country. Sailing is a sport for people of immense resource.
Sailing a race boat is like running a business. Elite sailing is moreso ... much moreso. Sailing a Maxi competitively at this level requires the technology and resources of a Formula One team. Success at this level requires having climbed two mountains - sailing and business on a global level.The event was won by Roy Disney, vice chairman of the board at Walt Disney Corporation and the entry list included Lindsay Owen-Jones, CEO of L'Oreal, New York real estate mogul Harry Macklowe the UK's Carphone Warehouse CEO, Charles Dunstone with the 76-foot Nokia Enigma (handicap winner at the Rolex Fastnet and Rolex Middle Sea Races in 2003). Even the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, where the championships were held, emphasises the calibre of the competition.
Located in Porto Cervo in Sardinia, Italy, it was founded in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan, as a non-profit club for those passionate about the sea and marine sports. In addition to its superb yachting facilities, the YCCS features a clubhouse the likes of which only a few yacht clubs on the planet can match, being the only club in the Mediterranean and one of only four Yacht Clubs worldwide to have a reciprocal agreement extending mutual privileges to their members of the New York Yacht Club.YCCS also has reciprocal agreements with Yacht Club di Monaco and the Royal Yacht Squadron (UK).
Sponsor Rolex could not find a more upmarket partner event. Unlike most yacht racing around the world, the crews are not comprised of primarily businessmen sailing enthusiasts enjoying their leisure hours in like-minded company - these crews are all highly trained, well paid athletes.
The entourage that follows these boats around the world numbers at least 25 such people. And the boats are technological showcases.
We've followed Alfa Romeo's progress in Gizmo keeping our readers updated on the boat's incredible run of success across 70 wins and every major yacht race in the world. If you have an hour to spare, check out the press statements issued by Alfa Romeo over the last two years, detailing a pageant of race records and wins in every major event for the class.
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