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Race Week at Newport: Bella Mente Racing wins ORC A

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Bella Mente Racing Posts Impressive Victories at NYYC Annual Regatta

Bella Mente Racing’s positive feelings about racing in the  New York Yacht Club’s 168th Annual Regatta  (June 10 -12) off Newport, R.I. translated into the team’s victory over five other ORC A class competitors in both Friday’s Around the Island Race and the weekend’s separately scored series of six around-the-buoys races.

“The Around the Island Race was a lot of fun, as tricky, changeable conditions really meant that no lead was safe,” said Mike “Moose” Sanderson, who in the absence of owner/driver Hap Fauth served as  Bella Mente ’s skipper over the event’s three racing days, “but we started well, managed to pass  Proteus  (a Maxi 72 as is  Bella Mente ) and then it was a matter of keeping it simple and trying to (avoid) the ‘land mines’ ahead!”  The land mines were the slower boats in some of the 13 other classes that started ahead of ORC A.

According to Bella Mente Racing’s tactician Terry Hutchinson, both the Around the Island Race and the Annual Regatta series were very hard-fought, but for different reasons. “ For the Around the island Race, Belle Mente had to contend with not only our competition (which included long-time rival Vesper, an IRC 72) but also two transition zones (major wind shifts) and lots of bogeys (other boats) on the racecourse to navigate through, ” he said. “ Saturday/Sunday racing was equally as good. Bella Mente, Proteus, and Vesper each won races, and while Bella Mentecame out on top it was an incredibly tight event. ”

Indeed, as stellar as  Bella Mente ’s performance was in the weekend’s primarily moderate breezes, there was no real turning point when the team felt assured of overall victory. “ The last race was short, so when we led Vesper around the first lap after a lot of exciting boat-on-boat action, it was looking more likely we’d win ,” said Sanderson, “ however, it’s never over in this class, which makes it exciting all the way to the end. ” 

Sanderson and Hutchinson both noted that training sessions leading up to this event were critical in the continual development of  Bella Mente  and its equipment. As part of that, Coach James Lyne analyzed the boat’s sail set-up, maneuvers and weight placement. During training and racing, he photographs and records the performance of the boat from an aero and hydro standpoint. “ We were really happy with the new rig and sails,” said Sanderson, “but somehow we need to find some rating optimization without slowing the boat down, so we have some fun challenges ahead! ” 

Sanderson added that for the Annual Regatta, Bella Mente Racing knew that  Bella Mente  would be most closely matched with  Vesper  and  Proteus.  In the end, the three finished, respectively, in first, second and third with only one point separating each position. “ The fact that we all ended up so close on points was no surprise,” he said, “but Vesperbeat up on us pretty hard at the previous regatta in the Caribbean, so it was nice to be at least in the hunt. We are under no illusion, though; we still have a lot of work to do if we want to be in the mix for the Maxi World Championships later this year. ” 

Meanwhile, next up for  Bella Mente  is the July 13-16 New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport.

10 June 2022

Bella mente racing readies for nyyc annual regatta.

It has been a while since  Bella Mente Racing  has felt this good about competing. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused setbacks over the past two years that, at worst, put the brakes on sailing worldwide, or, at best, threw a monkey wrench into the team’s best-laid of logistical plans. Now,  Bella Mente ’s crew has put behind it several days of training on Narragansett Bay and is ready to rumble on the race course at the 168th NYYC’s Annual Regatta, which starts Friday, June 10 and runs through Sunday, June 12.

Bella Mente Racing has consisted of the same steady team for years. For this regatta, Mike (“Moose”) Sanderson, normally the relief helmsman for owner/driver Hap Fauth, will step in to drive. Terry Hutchinson will serve as tactician, while Ian Moore will serve as navigator. The team will be without long-time strategist Adrian Stead, due to a personal conflict, but Sanderson says he will not be replaced. “ We know Newport waters well, so we’re just going with more grinding power ,” he said.

Sanderson explained that the team’s last regatta Bella Mente, a Botin 72, was the Les Voiles de St. Barths in April. “ We struggled results-wise and were beaten up by Vesper (a Judel Vrolijk 72), ” he said. “ We were on the back foot; due to Covid shipping issues, Bella Mente was late, which is very un-Bella-Mente-like. Before that, we had sea trials, but it was quite a long break from regattas and we hadn’t really sailed in anger since the Maxi Worlds in September last year. ”

Since Les Voiles, Bella Mente has been fitted with a new mast; the prior one had broken above the forestay at Les Voiles in 2019 and after repair was used up until now.  “ It was a good repair, of course, but we’re excited about this new mast ,” said Sanderson. “ It’s a little taller, affecting our rating somewhat, but performance-wise we have high hopes for it along with our new big jibs and mainsail (that were built to fit) .”

Bella Mente will enjoy a rematch against Vesper on Friday in the Regatta’s race around Conanicut Island starting at 1100. Two days of buoy or navigator-course racing on Rhode Island Sound and in Narragansett Bay will follow on June 11 and 12. Others in Bella Mente’s class are Proteus, another Maxi 72; Arctos, a 68-footer; and Denali and Kodiak, both 66-footers.

Afterward, Bella Mente will remain in Newport in preparation for the July 13-16 New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport.

More About NYYC Annual Regatta

The New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta was first sailed on the Hudson River on July 16 and 18, 1846. A similar competition the previous year was called a Trial of Speed. With a few exceptions for world wars and other global crises, the event has been held every year since. For most of its existence, the Annual Regatta was raced on waters close to New York City. Since 1988, however, the event has been sailed out of the Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, R.I., and has settled into the current three-day format.

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Sailing aboard the 72ft mini maxi Bella Mente, one of the fastest yachts at Cowes Week 2015

• Toby Hodges
• August 10, 2015

The Solent can look relatively small from the deck of a 72ft grand prix racing yacht, as I found at during a practise race at Cowes Week 2015. A sail aboard Bella Mente proved the ideal opportunity to discover why the growing mini maxi fleet is so exciting.

Sailing aboard the mini maxi 72 Bella Mente at Cowes Week 2015 Credit: YW

Only yesterday my colleague Matt Sheahan reported on how big the Solent looks when racing at 4.5 knots upwind aboard an XOD ( see ‘A Wet Ride’ here ). Today, Monday 10 August, I had the complete opposite feeling as I joined the crew of the stripped-out racing machine Bella Mente for their final training session before the big boat series begins tomorrow.

We headed to the eastern Solent to find some clear air to practise sail changes, before simulating a race. As we passed the Solent Sunbeam fleet under spinnakers, sailing at approximately twice their speed with just our white sails (well shiny black sails in Bella Mente’s case) – the Solent shrank before my eyes.

Navigator Ian ‘Soapy’ Moore and strategist Ado Stead make sure we avoid the Solent Sunbeam fleet

With our Jib Top flown from the bowsprit and inner staysail unfurled we were matching or outpacing true windspeeds of 10–14 knots. Within minutes, it seemed, Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower became the backdrop.

Just two weeks ago I was standing on Portsmouth’s shoreline watching the America’s Cup World Series , where just five crew adjusted hydrofoils to get 45ft cats to fly around a track. So it was refreshing to see how exciting the monohull racing world can still be in the same waters, as Bella Mente’s 18-strong burly crew relied on coffee-grinders and slick sail handling to still ensure thrilling speeds and manoeuvres.

Bella Mente is a Judel Vrolijk design, built by New England Boatworks and launched in 2012. She is one of a growing fleet of mini-maxi grand prix race yachts of between 60–80ft, and one of a new class of 72s. Her owner-driver and Maxi Class 72 President Hap Fauth was aboard today and able to shed light on why this size of yacht is currently holding such appeal.

“They are fun to race – the best racing boats pound for pound, ounce for ounce,” said Fauth, “and you can go offshore with them, that was my big attraction.” The ability to get these lightweight carbon fliers neatly around the cans at Cowes Week, plus be able to compete in ocean races is a versatile draw. As is both the owner-driver element for Fauth, and the draw of evolving technology.

In the Grand Prix monohull world there are two main competitive classes that are pushing the technology envelope since the America’s Cup moved to multihulls – the TP52s and this member-controlled Maxi 72 class that officially formed last year . Momo, the sistership to Ran V, launched this year and is also in Cowes. And fellow names on this circuit include Robertissima (ex Ran 2), Allegre, Shockwave and Jethou.

The sails, rigging and deck gear on these yachts are constantly developing. Yes, they are crewed by some of the world’s elite – Bella Mente’s afterguard alone includes Terry Hutchinson, Mike Sanderson, Ian Moore and Adrian Stead – but the improvements in the systems they use helps shed valuable seconds when racing. The result is phenomenally high loads and complex hardware, and on my part, a renewed respect for the synchronisation of crew work needed.

“We’re pretty much dropping the kite at the leeward mark now,” said two-time Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike ‘Moose’ Sanderson. This is made possible by a high-speed kite take-down system, a drum which pulls the belly of the sail directly down below decks through a large foredeck hatch at high speed. In fact, with the unremarkable conditions and relatively light breeze today, it was the speed of the hoists and drops rather than the boat speed that really impressed.

It was also notable how much Fauth puts down to keeping a reliable regular crew. “The most important part is the crew,” he told me. “If you can’t execute on the course or have the chemistry to do it, you’ll never win. We’ve worked really hard to get the best guys to fit in. We run it like a business but it’s a family.”

Owner-driver Hap Fauth at the wheel of Belle Mente with Terry Hutchinson calling tactics behind

The logistics of managing a boat and team like this is another integral factor. The maintenance of Bella Mente alone is the job of boat captain Peter ‘Pirate’ Henderson, plus three others, full time. Henderson explained how they replace two running backstays per event on average for example. Up to 15 tonnes load is wound onto the runners upwind, and they are constantly adjusted in tune with the trimmers, hence the ropes and the winch drums take a beating.

The importance of reliability is a huge factor for a top-end campaign. “A breakage can or will ruin a race,” says Fauth. “It’s critical that everything is maintained full time.” A video of racing with the mini-maxi fleet will follow.

For the results of today’s racing at Cowes Week click here

NYYC NEWPORT RACE – BELLA MENTE RACING WINS ORC A CLASS

– July 21st 2022

A fter winning the 168th New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta in June, Bella Mente Racing stayed true to fine form and punctuated July with a victory at New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex . The biennial race week, in its 13th edition, offered up spectacular sailing conditions and a variety of courses both “inside” on Narragansett Bay and “outside” on Rhode Island Sound.

“What made the regatta great was having Hap back onboard with his team,” said Bella Mente’s tactician Terry Hutchinson, explaining that Mike Sanderson stepped in to drive for owner/driver Hap Fauth at Annual Regatta. “He brings real energy to the program through his leadership and experience.

“We did three races outside the first day; one race up the Bay in flat water the next day; Around Conanicut Island the third day; and three races again inside the Bay the fourth day,” said Hutchinson. “Our basic approach was to put emphasis every time on winning the first cross on the first leg. It makes it a whole lot easier for the rest of the race, especially when you are match racing a team like Vesper.”

“We’re starting to find out Bella Mente ’s capabilities!” said Fauth, who launched his Botin Partners-designed 72-footer in late 2018 and experienced setbacks to his team’s racing schedule, as many did, during the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s a new boat in many ways, and this week was a learning experience for our crew, so we are looking forward to the World Championships for more competition.”

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, serving as the Maxi Worlds, will be held in Port Cervo, Sardinia, Italy, September 2-10, 2022.

For more information, visit bellamenteracing.com

““What made the regatta great was having Hap back onboard with his team,” said Bella Mente’s tactician Terry Hutchinson, “he brings real energy to the program through his leadership and experience.”   “

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News Bella Mente Racing: now at NYYC Race Week and Queen's Cup

Bella mente racing: now at nyyc race week and queen's cup.

  It was a long time coming, but Hap Fauth (Naples, Fla.) finally has reunited with his sailing family in Newport, R.I. where he will steer his Maxi 72 Bella Mente in this week’s New York Yacht Club (NYYC) Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex and the Queen’s Cup that follows it. The five days of racing starts tomorrow, and Bella Mente Racing , comprised of Fauth and 21 other seasoned sailors, has put in some serious practice time on Narragansett Bay these past few days in a lingering northerly that has pumped out winds of 25 knots and higher.

“I’m sure I can speak for all crews and owners when I say we’re so thankful that the New York Yacht Club has taken a leadership position in allowing Race Week and the Queen’s Cup to happen safely,” said Fauth. “Everyone is excited to be out of the house and on the water again.”

Hap Fauth (center) and his crew are reunited aboard the Maxi 72 Bella Mente and will sail in the New York Yacht Club’s Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex followed by the Queen’s Cup. (Photo Credit: Amy Laing/Bella Mente Racing ) 

Fauth last sailed on Bella Mente a year ago August at the 2019 Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship in Porto Cervo. This August, when a 10-day practice session was scheduled for Mallorca, where the boat was preparing for the 2020 Copa del Rey MAPFRE before heading to the 2020 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia, Fauth and other key crew members could not get there because of Spain’s lockdown and both events were ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been like a homecoming here,” said Fauth after arriving in Newport. "Everyone couldn’t wait to see each other again and do what we love most: compete and have fun on Bella Mente .”

In Mallorca, Bella Mente, which was designed by Botin Partners and built locally at New England Boatworks, underwent what Fauth called a “radical change in aero-philosophy.” A new keel and bulb were attached, and modifications were made to the mast, sails and rigging. “We kiddingly call her ‘ Experimente ’ because she is never the same from one regatta to the next,” laughed Fauth.

Bella Mente will be the largest boat in its ORC 1 class at Race Week and most likely will see its toughest competition from the two 52-footers sailing: Victor Wild’s Fox and David Tea’s Vesper . “This will be our first time sailing under ORC,” said Fauth, “but we know we go well with the 52s upwind. They scream downwind and prevail in flat seas while we’re better offshore in higher seas, but we also go like heck in the light stuff, which we could have when this northerly runs its course.”

Hap Fauth’s Maxi 72 Bella Mente has been practicing this week on Narragansett Bay for the New York Yacht Club’s Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex followed by the Queen’s Cup. (Photo Credit: Amy Laing /Bella Mente Racing )  

As for the Bella Mente Racing Team, it lost its previous tactician, Terry Hutchinson, to the American Magic America’s Cup effort (headed by NYYC with Fauth’s leadership). He has been replaced by Adrian Stead; however, Stead could not get here due to travel restrictions, so Stu Bannatyne will step into that role. The team’s strategist will be Mike Sanderson, who co-helms with Fauth.

Said Sanderson: “Not every one of our regular crew members is here, but it’s a bonus to have an extended family, from the last five years of sailing, that we can draw off of.” Sanderson, one of four New Zealanders in the crew, will be required to go into a two-week government quarantine when he returns home after Race Week. “I wouldn’t do it except for Hap; he is a massive supporter of the sport and the industry, and for all the trouble and effort he’s gone to, we are just so excited and thankful for the opportunity to sail with him again and be at this event.” 

And indeed, no one is as pumped about the sport and racing here as Hap Fauth. “Being on a boat on a crisp September day, with a spray that’s still warm on your face, is the best experience that I had as a youth,” he said after Bella Mente ’s Sunday practice sail, “and I still feel the exhilaration of it today as a 75-year-old.”

More About NYYC Race Week The NYYC’s biennial Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex is now in its 12th running. While previous editions have featured two parts, this year all competing yachts will race at the same time with racing running from Wednesday, September 23, to Saturday, September 26. Different course configurations and sailing areas, such as buoy racing and mid-distance courses, will make the week lively for competitors, while the Stadium Sailing will allow spectators to watch the racing from Fort Adams. 

More About the Queen’s Cup The Queen's Cup, typically sailed at the end of the NYYC Cruise, will be sailed the day after Race Week (September 27), also under ORC. It has a unique starting system in that each yacht may start within a two-minute window of the starting gun and its actual elapsed time will be used to calculate its corrected time. This is one of the Club's oldest and most prestigious trophies with a notable  list of winners .

For more information, visit http://bellamenteracing.com/ . 

Report by Barby MacGowan

Media Pro Int'l, 41 Memorial Blvd, Newport RI, 02480, US

International Maxi Association Legal Headquarters: c/o BfB Société Fiduciaire Bourquin frères et Béran SA - 26, Rue de la Corraterie - 1204 Genève - Switzerland

Moscow Raceway

• 2012 to date

Circuit Overview

Moscow Raceway owes its existence to Russia's desire to host a Formula One race but seems destined to lose out to Sochi and the Igora Drive circuits for the foreseeable future.

Boasting a full FIA Grade 1 Grand Prix layout and and FIM Grade B circuit, the track was initially successful at attracting a range of high-profile championships, from the World Superbikes to World Touring Cars, the DTM and the Blancpain World Series.  One by one these have dropped off the schedule, however, leaving the circuit to host mainly national level events, albeit the most important on Russian racing scene.

Circuit History

Plans for a street race in the Russian capital were first mooted in the 1980s and a Grand Prix of the Soviet Union did in fact make it onto the draft F1 calendar for 1983. However, bureaucratic barriers prevented the Grand Prix from being held, and the race was dropped.

Two decades later, new plans were advanced for a permanent circuit on an island in the Molzhaninovsky area in the north of the city. These received backing from the Moscow mayor, and F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke was engaged to design the facility. Construction was due to start on November 30th, 2001. However, the mayor rejected the commercial contract offered by Bernie Ecclestone and construction was delayed. It was eventually abandoned altogether in January 2003 and the land turned over to a hotel, yacht marina and golf course instead.

By 2008 momentum had built again for a new project, intended to host both F1 and MotoGP events and located around 90 minutes from the capital. Hermann Tilke was again employed to design the permanent facility. Unlike previous attempts, this project became a reality and on October 1, 2008 a delegation including F1 driver David Coulthard witnessed the ceremonial laying of the first stone.

Construction continued throughout the next few years, supervised by Tilke. After initially signing a deal with Bernie Ecclestone in 2008, the project was dropped from the 2010 Formula 1 calendar in early 2009, and construction stopped. Work resumed in June 2010, with the new contractor agreeing to complete the road section of the track. By September 2011, all asphalt laying had been completed, and construction of the associated pit, support and medical buildings was being undertaken.

When the full circuit and all of its infrastructure was completed in July 2012, it had cost a total of 4.5 billion rubles. Tilke had designed a technical circuit featuring a 873 metres long back straight – among the longest allowable under modern track design guidelines – which would see Formula One cars achieve a theoretical 193mph.

When presented for inspection, the circuit achieved FIA 1(T) status, allowing for Formula One testing and all categories of racing below this. However, the FIM only granted Grade B status, one below the expected level for motorcycle. This still allows for the raceway's inclusion on the World Superbike calendar, though further work will be required before MotoGP could visit.  Subsequently, the track has achieved FIA Grade 1 status, allowing for full Formula One races to take place.

A total of 18 variations of the circuit can be run, from the full Grand Prix course, to shorter 'sprint' variations and a small 'club' circuit utilising the western end only. World Superbikes have utilised the FIM GP course, as has the Renault World Series and WTCC from 2013 onwards (the Renault series' had previously used GP1),  while the DTM makes use of the shorter Sprint Circuit 4.

Tragedy struck the circuit during the first visit of the World Superbike Championships in 2013. During the first lap of the supporting World Supersport race, Italian rider Andrea Antonelli lost control on a slick track during torrential rain. He fell to the ground where he was struck by fellow Italian rider Lorenzo Zanetti, dying from his injuries later the same day. Criticism was levelled at race organisers for beginning the race in such conditions, while the circuit fell under scrutiny for what some felt was inadequate drainage – both claims strongly rejected by championship promoters, Dorna.

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Planning a visit to Moscow Raceway? Find the best deals near to the circuit on hotels, apartments and rooms to rent from the map or click the buttons below for the best deals on flights and car hire.

Tip: You can also find the best local restaurants and deals on other nearby attractions by cliking the settings button in the map toolbar.

Moscow Raceway is located within 90 minutes drive of central Moscow and 20 minutes drive from Volokolamsk.  Moscow's three international airports are within easy reach of the circuit - Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo are both around a 60 mile drive, while Domodedovo is around 90 miles away.

Travelling by car from Moscow, take Novorizhskoye highway (M9) or Volokolamskoye highway and drive for 60 miles/95 km, and then follow the turn sign for Moscow Raceway.   The journey usually takes 90 minutes.

You can also travel by train from Moscow. Take a train from Rizhsky train station to Chismena (2 hours 10 minutes). During international events free shuttle buses are available from the station to the track and back.

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Sale yacht in Moscow

37 yachts for sale in moscow, customer reviews, popular destinations.

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Moscow is the largest city and historical capital of Russia, the country's most popular tourist center and the center of the Russian Orthodox Church. In this metropolis, antiquity and modernity are whimsically combined, numerous cultural and historical sights, viewing platforms and entertainment centers make it a center of attraction for tens of millions of tourists from all over the world.

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When planning to buy a yacht in Moscow , pay attention to the offers of 2yachts - we hope you will find a suitable option among current and profitable ads from direct sellers.

Sights of the Russian capital

On the territory of the largest city in Europe with a 9-century history, there are many interesting places and objects. Some of the best attractions of modern Moscow are:

• The Kremlin and Red Square, with which it is worth starting to get acquainted with the city;
• Arbat - the main tourist artery of Moscow;
• The business center of the city with skyscrapers is Moscow City with viewing platforms, including a 360-degree circular view of the capital;
• The Bolshoi Theater is one of the most significant in Russia and the world;
• Tretyakov Gallery with the world's largest collection of Russian painting;
• Ostankino TV Tower, the country's main television tower 540 m high with 2 viewing platforms - open type and glazed at different levels;
• St. Basil's Cathedral (Cathedral of the Protection of the Holy Virgin);
• The historical district of the capital is Kitay Gorod.

It is also worth visiting the river berths, beaches (in Rublevo, Strogino and Serebryany Bor) of the Moscow River, Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve, Moskarium Oceanography Center, Novodevichy Convent, Moscow Planetarium, Darwin Museum, Zaryadye Natural Landscape Park and Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNH).

The best restaurants in Moscow: Pushkin, Balzi rossi, Wine & Crab, Osteria della Piazza Bianca, White Rabbit, Björn, Northerners, Beluga, Lavkalavka and others.

Yachting in Moscow

You can leave your yacht parked in Moscow at the pier of one of the many yacht clubs on the banks of the Moscow River and the Khimki Reservoir - for example, on the territory of the Yacht Port “Estate Port” with 36 berths for vessels up to 15 m long or in CHALET RIVER CLUB yacht club on the border with the Moscow region with 57 berths for vessels up to 17 m long and with a draft of up to 1.7 m. If you are interested in selling yachts in Moscow , we recommend that you use the services of one of the trusted yacht brokers in the region, for example - PRESTIGE YACHTS, ULTRABOATS, IY C or WEST NAUTICAL.

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Bella Mente Racing

Old Crew Bios

Owner and Helmsman Minneapolis, Minnesota/Naples, Florida

Hap has been building “Bella Mente Racing” since 2005 when he purchased the first of the three  racing yachts that have been part of the program. With his team, Hap has raced throughout the U.S. and all around Europe.   When he is not competing on the water, Fauth runs a number of businesses that span many industries – from agriculture to aerospace – and brings many of the same principles and tactics that he uses in the boardroom to the development of his sailing campaign.

Thomas Allin

 trimmer newport, rhode island/la rochelle, france.

Thomas is going into his sixth season with Bella Mente Racing in 2013 and works with both the sailing team and the onshore crew. His major sailing accomplishments include sailing onboard the winning yacht in the Transpac 2011 and winning multiple regattas in the Melges 24 class, including the Melges 24 World Championship in 2004.

James “Skip” Baxter

Trimmer auckland, new zealand.

The 2015 campaign marks Skip’s first season as part of Bella Mente Racing. Aside from sailing since he was eight, Skip has made a career out of racing professionally, and some of his major accolades include winning ten world championships in a number of different classes.

 Mate Northeast Harbor, Maine

Ryan joined the program in November 2010 and his main focus is getting Bella Mente ready to race. He grew up in Maine and has been sailing for as long as he can remember. Ryan marks one of his biggest accomplishments to be winning the Hayward Cup, one of the oldest sailing trophies at the Northeast Harbor Fleet.

Michele “Mickey” Cannoni

Bowman genoa, italy.

This will be Cannoni’s fifth season as Bella Mente Racing’s mid-bow. His sailing background includes working as mid-bow for Lunna Rossa at the 32nd America’s Cup where the team made it into the Luis Vuitton Cup finals. Cannoni also played an integral role on winning yachts in three Rolex Maxi World Championships, three Rolex Middle Sea Races and two IMS European Championships and one Transpac Race.

Sean “Doogie” Couvreux

Bowman white salmon, washington.

Doogie joined Bella Mente Racing in 2008 and has been on the winning yacht for two Transpacs (where the team also won the “Barn Door” trophy for first to finish).  He also has sailed two Louis Vuitton Pacific Series events and the Tour de France a la voile and has competed in two Olympic Trials regattas in the 49er class.

Ollie Dickens

Floater southampton, uk.

Ollie’s passion for sailing began at 13 when he started racing dinghies at his local sailing club. From there, he moved to big boat racing and started sailing with Bella Mente in 2011. The 2015 campaign will be especially exciting for Ollie, as the team will be spending a large portion of the year racing in his home waters of the Solent.

Christopher Deighan

Chef vail, colorado.

Christopher has been a private chef for Hap Fauth and Bella Mente Racing since 2006 and has supported the campaign’s dozens of regattas worldwide. He has been sailing since the age of 16 and has raced aboard  Bella Mente  in the 2006 Newport-Bermuda Race and the Pineapple Cup Montego Bay Race.

Kyle Fitzgerald

Shore crew/boat builder san diego, california.

Kyle has been with Bella Mente Racing for two seasons wearing a number of hats, primarily as team boat builder. He has been part of the shore crew for over eight different campaigns, including Disney’s Morning Light , which was the basis for a film documentary about a group of young sailors preparing for and then racing in the Transpac.

Federico Giovanelli

Grinder tuscany, italy.

Frederico has been with Bella Mente Racing since 2009 and started sailing at age 26 when the Italian Syndicate Luna Rossa brought him on as grinder for the 2000 America’s Cup. Since then, he has raced with other America’s Cup syndicates and has also sailed for TP52 and Volvo Ocean Race inshore campaigns.

Peter “Pirate” Henderson

Boat captain/backstays newport, rhode island.

Pirate has been with Bella Mente Racing for six seasons and is in his third season as boat captain. Career highlights include winning the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship, the Transpac (including “Barn Door” trophy for best overall performance) and the Newport Bermuda Race (including the “Gibbs Hill Lighthouse” trophy for first overall). He also has been on the winning boat for the Swan 42 North American Championships and is a five-time Yngling North American Champion.

Terry Hutchinson

Tactician harwood, maryland.

Terry joined Bella Mente Racing in 2013. The four-time All American and two-time College Sailor of the Year has been involved with four America’s Cup campaigns. In 2008, after showcasing his talent as tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand, Terry was named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year for his successful transition to fleet racing. In that year, Terry held the title of Melges 24 North American Champion and took home victories in four major TP 52 regattas before winning the TP 52 World Championship. Outside of that, Terry has racked up many major regatta victories in a variety of classes, including  more World Championships and  North American Championships as well as National Championships and Match Racing Championships.

Coach Granville, Vermont

James started working with Bella Mente Racing for the 2015 campaign. He has been an avid sailor since childhood, sailing in Whitby (UK) with his dad. He has coached at the sport’s highest levels, including with the US Olympic Sailing Team in 2003 and 2007 and with GBR Challenge for the 2003 and 2007 America’s Cup. In 2009, James and his wife co-founded  the non-profit Rozalia Project with the goal to clean up and protect the world’s oceans.

Brian “Puck” MacInnes

Grinder ada, michigan.

Brian picked up his love of the water growing up in Nova Scotia where summer days were spent sailing with his father. Brian started sailing professionally as a teenager and traveled around the world to compete. He has been a member of two Volvo Ocean Race campaigns and is a two-time winner of the America’s Cup with Larry Ellison’s ORACLE Racing. In addition to having many other accomplishments in highly competitive maxi and one-design classes, Brian is also co-founder of Composite Builders and has joined Bella Mente Racing for its 2015 campaign.

Tom “Tomac” McLaughlin

Coach/support boat salt lake city, utah.

Tomac has been sailing since he was 12 years old, when he says he used the sport to “escape from his parents” and “find the freedom of the water.” He was a College All-American at San Diego State in 1968 and ‘69 and since ‘73 has held the role of tactician, watch captain, sail trimmer and coach for various sailing campaigns.

Grinder Auckland, New Zealand

Craig joins Bella Mente Racing fresh off the Artemis Racing team, which marked his fifth America’s Cup campaign. The two-time America’s Cup winner is also a double Olympian, and in 1992 took home the bronze medal in the Finn class. When he’s not racing himself, he is spending time with his family and teaching his eight-year-old son Finn how to sail.

Ian “Soapy” Moore

Navigator Cowes, Isle of Wight

Soapy was on his first boat at a mere six weeks old, and his life has unfolded into a storied sailing career that includes being navigator in the Volvo Ocean Race and as navigator and performance manager for America’s Cup Campaigns.

Robert Ouellette

Project manager/grinder marblehead, massachusetts/portsmouth, rhode island.

Rob was exposed to boating before he could walk and grew up sailing all over New England. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island where he was captain of his keelboat sailing team in 1998 and took first place at the Kennedy Cup and third place at the College Sailing World Cup. He has been part of Bella Mente Racing for eight seasons, sharing in the team’s many national and international triumphs.

Mike Sanderson

Offshore helmsman/crew boss auckland, new zealand.

Mike brings an enormous wealth of experience to Bella Mente. He is a two-time winner of the Volvo Ocean Race who has held numerous World Records. Mike has been involved in four America’s Cup campaigns and was ISAF World Sailor of the Year in 2007.

Pit San  Diego, California

Matt has been a professional sailor since 1993 and is joining Bella Mente Racing for his third season. He has been involved in numerous America’s Cup campaigns and has sailed for a number of different teams on a variety of circuits that have included one-design racing, match racing and TP 52 sailing.

BIOS COMING SOON FOR…

James dagg cyrille douillet keats keeley martin oliver adrien stead jim turner, about bella mente.

The original Bella Mente Racing campaign kicked off in 2006 with Key West Race Week, and since then owner and skipper Hap Fauth has had three additional racing yachts in the program.

Launched in September of 2018, the current Bella Mente is a Maxi 72 designed by Botin Partners in Spain and built by New England Boatworks in Rhode Island.

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