What is possibly the largest and certainly the most spectacular annual gathering of Maxi Yachts, is set to take place in Porto Cervo in September. Established in 1980 and organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), the 19th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will host approximately forty maxi yachts from across the globe from September 1 to 6. Participating yachts will range from cutting edge, high-tech, pure racers to fast and comfortable cruisers as well as vintage grand dames of the sea.

Depending on the number and variety of yachts entered, participating yachts should be divided into up to five separate divisions of Mini Maxi, Racing, Wally, Cruising and Spirit of Tradition.

The Racing Division will see two-time winner (2003, 2006) Neville Crichton of New Zealand with his 100 foot-long (30.5 metre) canting-keel supermaxi Alfa Romeo. He will be hoping to continue his season's run of success, which includes winning the Maxi Division at Rolex Capri Sailing Week; breaking his course record in the 243-mile offshore Giraglia Rolex Cup race; and sweeping the board at the YCCS-organized Boat International Superyacht Regatta, where he won all three races on both real and corrected time.

Alfa Romeo is not the only race winning, record-holder to compete in the Racing Division however. George David’s Rambler (a former Alfa Romeo) from the United States currently holds race records in both the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the Rolex Buenos-Aires to Rio Race.

Crichton, a YCCS Member, will also be present in the Mini Maxi Division with Alfa Romeo 3. Launched I August, Alfa Romeo 3 will be competing in her first-ever regatta. Just like her older sister, Alfa Romeo 3 was also designed by Reichel / Pugh and built by McConaghy. However at 70 feet (21.14 metres), she is considerably smaller and lighter. Although Crichton himself will be racing aboard the larger yacht, he is particularly looking forward to seeing Alfa Romeo 3 compete in Sardinia to keep a close eye on the new team and boat's performance.

The Mini Maxi Division encompasses boats measuring between 60 and 79 feet and could see the best of the competition.

Alfa Romeo 3 will be joined by a number of serious racing machines, all launched within the last couple of years and currently taking the grand-prix scene by storm. The 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart winner, Roger Sturgeon's STP65 Rosebud / Team DYT, will compete alongside fellow American Jim Swartz's Moneypenny. Also an STP65, Moneypenny arrives fresh from battling it out at Cork Week with Andres Soriano's Mills 68 Allegre (GBR).

Others to look out for include the Southern Wind yacht Acaia Cube. Chartered by well-known Italian actor Claudio Amendola, he has America's Cup sailors Flavio Favini at the helm and Tiziano Nava calling tactics.

Carlo Puri-Negri's division winner in 2006 and 2007 Atalanta II, returns with Brazil's two-time Olympic bronze medallist Lars Grael. Lars will bring with him his Argo project crew of an international team of sailors and athletes with physical disabilities, in preparation for participation in the 33rd America's Cup.