The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2024 will take place from September 8 to 14  in the stunning Costa Smeralda, Sardinia. This prestigious regatta, celebrating its 34th edition, features elite yachts over 60 feet in length and attracts top sailors from around the world. Known for its exceptional organisation and challenging racing conditions in the Maddalena Archipelago, the event promises an exciting week of competition and camaraderie within the sailing community

Rolex has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with yachting dating back to the late 1950s. Rolex shares the common pursuit of excellence and a passion for premium performance with major custodians of the sport's enduring spirit. Close support of pre-eminent yacht clubs and first-class events have been the cornerstone of this partnership.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the most important events in the international yachting calendar and synonymous with excellence. Both the regatta and its organiser, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), have been partnered by Rolex since the mid-1980s. A partnership of such longevity is rare in sport and lies at the heart of the event's continuing evolution and ability to maintain the highest of standards.

An annual event held each September, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup was first staged in 1980 and celebrates its 34th edition in 2024. The event is organised with the impeccable support of the International Maxi Association, another long-standing partner. Competition takes place on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, one of the world's most celebrated sailing environments. Competing entries, all more than 60 feet (18.29 metres) in length, are some of the most powerful and elegant yachts in the world. The fleet of 50 or more yachts is divided into different classes based on size and performance characteristics.

This prestigious week-long regatta is renowned for its exceptional organisation, rewarding conditions and a first-class schedule of events off the water.

Exceptional partners 

Rolex has partnered the YCCS and two of the club's most prestigious events since the mid-1980s: the annual Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (since 1985) and the biennial Rolex Swan Cup (since 1984, exactly forty years ago).

Rolex testimonee Paul Cayard, the legendary sailor from the United States and a past competitor at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, identifies the importance of the event's long-standing partnerships to its continued success. 

"Everything about the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup points to excellence,” Cayard shares. “This reputation comes from the close and historic partnership between Rolex and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, two organisations who not only strive for perfection but continue to support the evolution and development of sailing. From the nautical environment to the race organisation through to the off the water programme, everything about the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is first-class."

The 2024 regatta commences on Sunday, September 8 and concludes with the final prize-giving on Saturday, September 14.

Enviable environment

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup takes place in one of the world's most impressive sailing environments. The emerald waters, rocky outcrops and islets of north-east Sardinia's Maddalena Archipelago offer an exceptional arena for yacht racing, with varied conditions and testing courses.

As Rolex Testimonee and four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie explains, there are few places to sail like the Costa Smeralda. "The nautical environment at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in inspiring. Undisputedly, it is one of the world's great sailing locations uniting stunning scenery and challenging, technical race courses. Conditions are consistently excellent and the organisers always guarantee fair, professional and competitive racing."

The best boats, the best sailors

Typically, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup attracts about 50 yachts measuring from 18.29 metres (60 feet) to more than 40 metres (131 feet) in length. Divided into classes based on size and performance, and crewed by the world's leading professional sailors, the yachts are a sublime combination of power, speed and elegance when racing. With the YCCS race management team a recognised leader in its field, the week of competition is impeccably organised.

Design showcase

Since its foundation, the event has been a showcase for the potential and evolution of yacht design and technology. It is considered the proving ground for new launches and a place where designers, owners and sailors can meet to discuss innovations, developments and future projects. Success at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is a positive confirmation that passion and commitment have been well directed.

As Paul Cayard explains, success at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is never a give., "The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is a compelling week-long regatta,” he says. “It brings together the most impressive Maxi monohull yachts, hugely motivated and passionate owners and the cream of professional sailing talent, a who's who of winners. Emerging triumphant and claiming class victory means you have overcome an incredible quality of opponent."

Compelling Competition

Across five intense days of competition off Porto Cervo, crews tackle a programme of windward/leeward and inshore racing through and around the Maddalena Archipelago. Consistency in performance is critical and teamwork essential. For the top performers, recognition comes in the form of class victories and the associated trophies. Select class winners also receive an engraved timepiece at the final prize-giving on Piazza Azzurra in front of the YCCS's impressive clubhouse.

Also see: Everything you need to know about the Rolex TP52 World Championship