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Eighteen to 20 knots of warm sirocco wind accompanied the Mini Maxis, competing for their inaugural World Championship, throughout three windward-leeward races while the rest of the fleet completed a 36 mile course in and around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago.

Overall leaders in their respective divisions are: Hamilton II (Racing & Racing/Cruising), Y3K (Wally) and Highland Fling (Super Maxi). Ranger continues to lead Velsheda among the J Boats and Andy Soriano's Alegre dominates among the Mini Maxis with four wins out of five races held so far.

The Mini Maxis began racing on schedule. The first race of the day, race 3 of the series, was held in 18 to 20 knots of wind from 130°. The race, which had a total length of approximately 9 nautical miles, was won by Niklas Zennstrom's Ran (GBR). Neville Crichton's Shockwave, overall winner of the Giraglia Rolex Cup 2010, came in second on corrected time while Germany's Container came in third. Race 4 saw Andy Soriano's Alegre (GBR) back on form to take her third bullet of the series ahead of Ran and Hap Fauth's Bella Mente (USA).

The 24 competing Mini Maxis started their third and final race of the day with the wind still blowing at 18 knots from 130°. Alegre and Ran once again took first and second respectively while Container came in third.

The Mini Maxis have now completed five out of a possible nine races in the Mini Maxi World Championship and Alegre sits three points ahead of Ran in the overall classification with Shockwave a further five points behind in third place. The fleet will face a slightly different challenge tomorrow with a coastal race planned for the class and further strong breezes predicted.

The remainder of the fleet enjoyed a wild ride around the islands which act as natural buoys in the regattas organized by the YCCS. From the start off Porto Cervo, the Maxis headed on a run to the Monaci island which they left to port heading back towards the mainland. They then sailed up the coast, passing between Punta Sardegna and the largest of the islands in the archipelago, La Maddalena, before turning north as far as Barrettinelli di Fuori and heading upwind around the outside of the archipelago to the finish line off Porto Cervo.

While Igor Simcic's Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) was the fastest boat around the course, covering 36 nautical miles in 2 hours and 52 minutes, she placed second on corrected time behind Irvine Laidlaw's Highland Fling (GBR). Singularity, with Volvo Ocean Race veteran Bouwe Bekking helming, took third. These three boats hold the same positions in the overall classification.

The eight-boat Super Maxi division was also fast around the course with both Hasso Plattner's Visione and Albert Buell's Saudade (MLT) crossing the finish line in just over 3 hours. Corrected time, however, saw Hetairos (CAY) take victory ahead of Salperton (CAY) and Visione. Hamilton II retains her lead in the overall classification ahead of Hetairos in second and Visione in third.

Magic Carpet2 (GBR) was the first Wally home today in real time and also took victory in corrected time. Peter Offen's Y3K (GER) took second place ahead of Andrea Recordati's Indio (ITA). Y3K leads the overall classification after two races ahead of Magic Carpet, owned by Lindsay Owen-Jones and J-One (GBR) owned by Jean Charles Decaux.

Live Tracking of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is available on www.yccs.it . For further information on the event including entry lists, NOR and photos please visit www.yccs.it or www.regattanews.com