September promises to be an exciting month, thanks to Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. The long-standing partnership with Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) has given both Rolex and YCCS a treasured joint history on the seas.

So what exactly is a Maxi Yacht? A yacht is defined as ‘any light and fast sailing vessel.’ A Maxi yacht is a term used for racing yachts that are more than 70 feet (or 21 meters) in length. The added length means more than just larger cabins and a possibly wider berth. The longer hull requires a cleaner monohull design and accompanying engine power to ensure the maxi yacht achieves the speed desired for a race.

Rolex Testimonee Paul Cayard, a sailing tactician with the regatta, explains the importance of the collaboration: “For more than 35 years, Rolex and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda have forged a privileged relationship. These two partners stand for the highest quality and excellence in everything they do. Together they offer the ideal platform for sailors to focus on elite competition.”

And that elite competition begins on September 4 this year, with five days of racing ahead. The Maddalena Archipelago, situated between France and Italy, provides the course of choice this year with intense windward and leeward racing and coastal sections. As explained by the National Ocean Service, “An island’s windward side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds, whereas the island’s leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains.“ Coastal racing, on the other hand, involves racing near a shoreline where geographic wind shifts — bending and acceleration (or deceleration) are commonplace.

This combination of factors promises for an exciting race for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Cayard tells us, “The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is the very essence of superlative yacht racing – the most impressive yachts sailed by the best sailors in the most perfect sailing environment.”

There are close to 50 boats registered for this year’s race. The fleet of yachts will be divided further into classes based on size, performance or design. The goal throughout the race is consistency in performance in order to win the class victory. There is no I in yacht, and teamwork is critical to smooth sailing, both literally and figuratively.

The race will be a sight to witness for the varied yachts competing this year. Among them are the Wallycentos, a high performance yacht, and the Svea, the largest registered yacht measuring 143 feet. There are historic yachts too such as a J-class with a design dating back to the 1930s. An innovative yacht is the Flying Nikka, a 62-ft Mini Maxi making her race debut. Previous winners Cannonball, Capricorno, Velshada, and Magic Carpet Cubed are eager to add this race to their belt too.