Wally Yachts Race Across the Ocean

Two Wally Maxi Yachts are en route from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Virgin Gorda as part of the 2011 Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Regatta.  Indio is vying for the lead among the six single-masted ‘sloops’ and has already completed more than 1,700 miles at an average of more than 10 knots.

Indio and the other Wally, Kenora should complete this demanding 2,700 mile journey in around 10 days, depending on the conditions.  Wally is the only manufacturer to have two yachts in the competition.

Indio, at 100 feet and Kenora at 107 feet, both make extensive use of carbon fibre production materials and state of the art technology to ensure fast and safe passage.  Built in 1998, Kenora provides an excellent demonstration of the longevity of Wally’s pioneering carbon fibre hulls.

Indio and Kenora will join the ranks of previous Wallys that have raced across the Atlantic, including Bagheera, which finished second by just 20 minutes in the 2009 ARC regatta, and Alexia, which finished third in the 2009 YCCS transatlantic event.

Speaking in Monaco, Paolo Massarini, Wally Racing Manager and coordinator of the FT Wally Grand Prix Series, said, “Wally makes the world’s most competitive racer-cruisers and our pioneering hull design and construction means that the yachts are both fast and robust – perfect for transatlantic competition.  The crews on Indio and Kenora will be very familiar with their yachts having raced them throughout the summer in the FT Wally Grand Prix Series.  They will know how to get the maximum from these fantastic machines and it will be fascinating to see just how quickly they make the crossing.”

Both of the Wally yachts can be tracked, along with the other entrants in this year’s Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Regatta, via Wally.