Race two of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup was a day of high drama. The 65 nautical mile Coastal Race took all four divisions all the way up the outside of the Maddalena Islands to Lavezzi and the southern tip of Corsica, returning back down the channel and beyond to the islet of Mortoriotto before a final return leg to the finish off Porto Cervo. This time the critical moment in proceedings was shortly after the start. But, once again, it involved the 30-metre supermaxi, Wild Oats XI (AUS). Within a few minutes of the start, her mast was seen to explode into three pieces. Four crew were launched into the water as the 12-tonne canting keel, then at maximum tilt and with nothing left above to balance it out, rolled the yacht violently to windward. All crew were safely recovered and, fortunately, only one crew was slightly injured during the catastrophe that brought to an abrupt end Bob Oatley's quest for victory and the continuation of the duel with her near sistership, Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo (NZL). Conditions at the start were uncomfortable, but not treacherous. A northeasterly Grecale at 15 knots had replaced the Mistral of yesterday. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Race Committee had set the start inside the Maddalena channel to afford some protection from the far lumpier sea state directly outside Porto Cervo harbour. Most relieved with this decision were the numerous spectator, support and media vessels whose task of holding station with the line was made far easier in the moderated waters within the channel.
The Racing Division start was uneventful - initially at least. Alfa Romeo grabbed the pin end - owner/skipper Neville Crichton rightly convinced they could lay the first mark of the course at Monaci. In the Racing Division, Alfa Romeo pulled away gradually from Morning Glory and was the first yacht to reach the Monaci rocks. But as she launched out of the channel at Capo Ferro on the leg to Mortoriotto she stalled. In the Wally Division the battle at the head of the fleet was between Magic Carpet Squared and Y3K.
