Wally Unveils Racing Beast: The wallyrocket71 Ready to Conquer the Seas!

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, USA - Recently, the sailing community witnessed a vibrant addition to the high-performance yacht scene with the debut of the wallyrocket71 at the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia regatta. This impressive 21.6-meter racing yacht, meticulously crafted by Wally and designed in collaboration with Botin Partners and owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, promises to make waves on the competitive circuit. Constructed by the renowned King Marine shipyard, this yacht is not just another sleek vessel; it’s a fusion of cutting-edge technology and traditional craftsmanship.

What makes the wallyrocket71 stand out is its advanced design features. With a displacement of just 12 tons, it’s notably lighter than competing Maxi 72 class yachts. This significant weight reduction—around three tons—doesn’t compromise its power or sail area. Instead, it enhances performance, allowing the yacht to achieve remarkable upwind speeds of 10.5 to 11 knots during initial sea trials in Valencia. Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, expressed his enthusiasm, emphasizing the yacht’s potential as one of the fastest in its class.

The Racing Scene

But what’s the current state of racing for maxi yachts? Mike Sanderson, a prominent figure in sailing, defines the Maxi 72 as one of the coolest and most innovative designs in the sport. Praised for its refined sailing abilities and captivating aesthetics, the Maxi 72 class has become a hallmark of speed. The class, which was launched in 2014, allows teams like Sanderson’s Bella Mente to shine, with a top speed of 20 knots and an adrenaline factor that is hard to match. Sanderson says it’s a privilege to sail on such cutting-edge vessels that feature efficient teamwork among their 20-member crews.

In recent events like the Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, the competition has remained fierce. The series includes high-profile races, with the culmination in the renowned Palermo-Montecarlo Race, covering an impressive 500 miles from Sicily to Monaco. Andrew McIrvine, the secretary general of the International Maxi Association (IMA), has stressed that the sport must evolve to maintain its relevance. The IMA has adapted its racing categories, focusing on performance metrics defined by a single-number IRC rule, which has led to a diverse array of boats racing together, including the beloved Maxi 72s.

What’s Next for Maxi Yachts?

Interestingly, as the sport develops, new players are joining the mix. Recently, Nautor introduced the ClubSwan 80 as a new one-design class that made quite a splash at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. With a design that includes all-carbon construction and a canting keel, it showcases the shift towards modernity in yacht design.

However, challenges abound. The IMA faces economic pressures, ongoing supply chain issues affecting the availability of materials, and a limited number of professional sailors available for major competitions. As for the traditional maxi racing fleet, while Wally’s iconic yachts may have rejoined under specific rating systems, there’s a sense that the golden era of Wally ships has drawn to a close.

As events in the racing calendar unfold, Wally remains committed to advancing high-performance sailing with the wallyrocket71. With major competitions on the horizon, including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, enthusiasts and competitors alike are eager to see how this innovative yacht will perform against a backdrop of changing tides in the world of maxi yachts.