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.
A NATURAL AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNER
Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. It naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting more than 60 years ago and today supports the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas. The brand is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races, such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship, where national teams race in identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the likes of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
ABOUT ROLEX
AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE
Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 500 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, Rolex is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
