Sardinia’s renowned Mistral wind brought an intense day at the 36th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, with 16 knots recorded on the starting line at 12 noon CEST, building to 22 knots and gusting at up to 25 in some sections of the courses. The six competing classes were set different courses: two windward-leeward races off Porto Cervo for the Maxi 1 yachts, while the Maxi Grand Prix, Maxi 3, 4 and 5, and Multihull classes tackled coastal races on routes tailored to their respective performance profiles. The only common element for all was a windward mark positioned three miles from the starting line, off the island of Caprera.

Victories of the day went to V and Leopard 3 in the two Maxi 1 races, Northstar III in the Maxi Grand Prix class, Artemis Bleu in Maxi 3, Yoru in Maxi 4, H2O in Maxi 5 and Highland Fling XVIII among the Multihulls.

Today’s two races have left the Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship title battle more open than ever. V took the first windward-leeward ahead of Magic Carpet E and Galateia, while Leopard 3 claimed the win in the second ahead of Galateia, with My Song in third place. After four races, V leads the overall standings on 9 points, with Leopard 3 just one point behind, and reigning world champion Galateia sitting in third place on 12 points.

The picture could scarcely be more different in the Rolex IMA Maxi Grand Prix World Championship, where Northstar III continues to extend her advantage over all contenders. The JV76 owned by Peter Dubens won today’s coastal race, taking the crew to four victories in as many races. Django 7x finished second, just 51 seconds behind on corrected time, followed by Balthasar in third. With just 4 points in total, Northstar III now enjoys a commanding margin over Balthasar, Bella Mente and Proteus, all on 17 points.

A new leader tops the Maxi 3 standings after Artemis Bleu won the day’s race ahead of Manticore and Scorpione Hormar. The victory sees her move to the front of the overall standings on 7 points, ahead of Manticore and Astra I, both on 9 points. Twin Soul B, the provisional leader heading into the day, was forced to retire due to a rudder failure.

A new leader heads the Maxi 4 class too, where Yoru claimed victory ahead of Why Not and @Robas to move into the overall lead with 5 points. Fra Diavolo, winner of the first two races this week, sits just one point back in second.

H2O’s unbroken winning streak continues in the Maxi 5 class. Riccardo De Michele’s boat secured a third consecutive victory, this time ahead of Lunz am Meer and Shirlaf, to consolidate her overall lead on 3 points. Lunz am Meer follows on 8 points, with Shirlaf right behind on 8.2 points.

Highland Fling XVIII repeated her Day 2 win in the Multihull class, finishing ahead of Allegra and Gaea. After three races, Highland Fling XVIII leads the overall classification on 5 points, followed by Allegra on 6 points and Sophia on 8.

This evening, the Rolex Gala Dinner reserved for owners and their guests will be held on the YCCS terrace.

Racing in the 36th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will continue tomorrow, Friday 11 September, with the start scheduled for 12 noon CEST and the Mistral predicted to strengthen in the afternoon. The Crew Party for all participants will take place in the evening in Piazza Azzurra at the YCCS.