Murray Jones is one of the most familiar faces on the dockside at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The New Zealand sailor has been coming to Porto Cervo for at least 25 years, and his career includes two Olympic appearances in the Flying Dutchman, at Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992, as well as six America’s Cup victories from seven campaigns with Team New Zealand, Alinghi and Oracle Team USA. He has been a member of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame since 2010.
Last June here in Porto Cervo, as strategist on Sled, he won the Rolex TP52 World Championship; in September he returned to the YCCS for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, where Galateia is defending the world title won last year.
“Every time I’ve come to Porto Cervo I’ve really enjoyed it. The coastal races through the islands are something unique.”
How long have you been coming to Porto Cervo to race?
I can’t remember exactly, but I’ve been coming here for at least 25 years and every time has been fantastic. The first time was for a Rolex Swan Cup, then I came back many times for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and for quite a few TP52 events. The quality of the racing here is always very high.
Do you have any idea how many Maxi Yacht Rolex Cups you have competed in?
I couldn’t say exactly, but I’ve done quite a few. Maybe around ten. What I do know is that I really enjoy racing in Porto Cervo: from a sailing point of view it’s always very interesting. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is one of the highlights of the season for these big boats, and every year I get to catch up with so many friends who are racing on other yachts. It’s very special.
Is there one particular racing memory you associate with the YCCS?
There are at least a couple connected with the TP52 class, which is incredibly competitive. With Sled we won a 52 Super Series event here by a good margin. And then, of course, there was the Rolex TP52 World Championship victory in June, which was very special. But I also remember several editions of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup sailed in very different conditions. The coastal races through the islands, in particular, are something unique.
Now you’re here on the WallyCento Galateia. How different is the challenge when you move from the TP52s to Maxi 1?
It’s completely different. In Maxi 1 we race against boats that vary considerably in both size and rating. Several yachts have also made modifications over the past three or four months, so it’s very interesting to see how their relative performance has changed and where each boat now stands compared with the others.
Do you prefer windward-leeward racing or coastal races?
I prefer the coastal races. After all, there is still plenty of upwind and downwind sailing, but you’re racing through the islands of the La Maddalena Archipelago, with many more factors to take into account.
How important is it to read such a complex racecourse well?
Very important. On a long coastal race through the islands there are lots of different passages and the wind can change constantly. You have to take wind shadows and pressure differences into account, as well as the tactical decisions dictated by the course itself. That’s exactly what makes these races so much fun.
Galateia comes here as the defending world champion. Do you feel any pressure to defend the title?
Not really. We just have to take it one race at a time, get out there and see what we can do each day.
