The 20 remaining yachts competing in the IMA Maxi European Championship, organised by the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia in conjunction with the International Maxi Association, took part in a final coastal race today in a 8-14 knot southwesterly. Covering 25.4 miles, this spanned the Gulf of Naples from Sorrento in the south, to Naples in the north and a mark in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius in the east. In fact before the start gun had even sounded, the overall winner of the IMA Maxi Europeans had been decided with Hap Fauth’s 74ft Bella Mente defending the title they won last year.
Today a course with longer legs allowed the Maxi 100s to unleash their full potential. As a result Bella Mente finished seventh, which she discarded, leaving her with an unbroken string of podium results and winning on nine points. Behind her three other Maxi Grand Prix class boats were all tied on 17 – Peter Harrison’s Jolt, Peter Dubens’ North Star and George Sakellaris’ Proteus.
“It was tightly fought – the boats are really close and the racing was excellent,” confirmed a delighted Hap Fauth, adding that the part of their success was due to competing this spring in the Southern Ocean Racing Conference in Florida. “Bella Mente is fast and the crew make it faster. But we work at it, we keep the boat in really good condition and keep investing in it. We’ve really enjoyed this week – we had good breeze. As I say, ‘luck beats early rising and skill trumps all’.”
Tactician Terry Hutchinson, who also serves as President of Sailing Operations/Skipper for Fauth and Doug Devos’ American Magic America’s Cup challenge, added: “It all starts with Hap – he sets a great example for us and we follow that. He expects hard work, professionalism and a little mongrel in us. And the team sailed a great regatta. We had really good, consistent boat handling. The boat was going well. We started really well, which was probably the difference. The races that Jolt started well, they won.”
While Bella Mente faced stiff competition, she was in another league. Hutchinson also praised the crew especially the afterguard, including Adrian Stead, navigator Ian Moore and Mike Sanderson, all bringing different experience, plus trimmers James Dagg, Skip Baxter and Sean Clarkson. “We’ve been sailing together forever and that really makes a difference.”
The Maxi 100s enjoyed superb conclusion, claiming four of the five top spots today. Galateia, with co-owner Chris Flowers sharing helming duties with his daughter Lizz, won line honours in every race. This week the 100s enjoyed several photo-finishes: today V led for most of the race but Galateia split gybes with her at the last mark, and came home first by eight seconds, although Karel Komárek’s V won overall. Despite this, Galateia had already won the Maxi 100 class the day before.
Chris Flowers commented: “Beautiful weather, beautiful competition. Happy with the results. The competition has been formidable, keeping us on our toes. We are very happy with our performance.”
Daughter Lizz, who has stepped up from a 420 dinghy to the 100 footer, especially enjoyed last weekend’s Regatta dei Tre Golfi offshore race when they experienced sustained 25 knots. “I loved it, but I will say I have a newfound respect for these guys, having done it. They’re tough as nails.”
Immediately prior to the event, Galateia underwent substantial modifications including fitting a longer bowsprit, bigger downwind sails and an interceptor.
Tactician Kelvin Harrap maintains V was the top Maxi 100 in 2024, but Galateia has levelled the playing field following these modifications. “The racing’s fantastic. The new Magic Carpet E – the key hasn’t fully turned on with her yet. Bullitt had a good set of results and the smaller ones have occasional moments in the sun.”
While the Maxi 100 and Grand Prix classes were won with a day to spare, in the Maxi Alpha and Beta classes just four points separated first and second going into the final day.
In the former, Kallima finishing 12th today, two ahead of Guido Paolo Gamucci’s Mylius 60 Cippa Lippa X secured Paul Berger’s Swan 80 the class win – a fine birthday present for her owner. “Kallima’s going really well,” said tactician Romain Mouchel. “We started a project with Paul five years ago. At first, we didn’t have many pros but since then we’ve been investing in new sails and a few more pro crews, and it’s paying off. We’re starting to know each other well, which is good. The last two-three days were really our conditions. And we’ve also been trying to improve our rating and are not making too many mistakes – so we don’t leave too much out there on the race course.”
Maxi Beta class winner, Vincenzo Addessi was particularly pleased his Mylius 60 Fra Diavolo finished 9th overall – ie first after the professional Maxi 100 and Grand Prix classes. “We have a very good boat and a good team and were well prepared. It’s a rounded team and we’ve been racing since 2009, so we know each other well even if we haven’t done many races recently. We’ve had every condition, from the long distance race in strong wind, to light wind, but our boat performs well in all.”
Taking place alongside the main event was Tre Golfi Multihull Trophy, contested by four catamarans, three of them maxis. The competition with Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s Gunboat 80 Highland Fling 18 and Adrian Keller’s 84ft Allegra was won with a perfect scoreline by Riccardo Pavoncelli’s Gunboat 66 Gaetana, with British multihull ace Brian Thompson calling the shots. “We’ve had a great week with amazing conditions,” said Pavoncelli. “Gaetana was certainly got a very good handicap. We had her re-rated just before the race, just to make sure. We only sailed with three sails and everybody worked very well. We had perfect conditions for us which wouldn’t have been the case if it were much windier. And Parthenope, the goddess of the Neapolitan sea, was very helpful to us…”
The IMA maxi series continues on with the 151 Miglia-Trofeo Cetilar on 30 May from Livorno to Punta Ala and Loro Piana Giraglia with inshores off Saint-Tropez over 7-10 June and its offshore race to Genoa on the 11 June.
by James Boyd/International Maxi Association
IMA Maxi Europeans results here
More information on the IMA European Championship here
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For more on the International Maxi Association visit www.internationalmaxiassociation.com or see the 2025 IMA Yearbook
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