Racing to finish

Once unloaded in the Marina di Ravenna, the wallywind110 will receive a 6.95m telescopic keel, one-piece carbon fibre twin rudders and a 48m Hall Spars rig.

With all the main technical systems already tested in the shipyard, the new boat just remains to be put through its sailing paces in a series of sea trials. The vessel, which is due for delivery in early June, will be a hybrid cruiser capable of roaming the globe or performing on the race course.

One of the most striking features of the wallywind110 is the sheer size of the cockpit area. Reclining on a choice of sofas, sunbeds, loungers or seats, guests can enjoy 80 square metres of cockpit unencumbered by sail controls, which are all positioned aft. There’s also a further lounging area around the “terrace on the sea” and another on the foredeck. A second hull is on order and will soon emerge from the moulds.

The smaller wallyrocket51 is also taking shape. Wally says this project is set to outperform even the TP52.

Indeed, Wally says it aims to build the world’s fastest race boat on corrected time, thanks to a Botin Partners Naval Architecture hull, and precise in-house engineering.

Hull lamination began in the first week of March, alongside the bulkheads and hull structures, and will be complete by the end of this month.

Wally’s technical department spent five months planning the boat in collaboration with the designers and suppliers. This ensures that the tooling is perfect, guaranteeing that the boat can be produced identically in future, a hallmark of pure one-design racing.

Wally has worked closely with Harken and Cariboni to define and optimise the deck gear and hydraulic systems. The keel will be CNC machined with a titanium trim tab, and Diverse will supply the water ballast system. The sails are developed by North Sails, and the first two rigs, already on their way on a ship from New Zealand, are signed Southern Spars. In all, six sets of identical equipment have been bulk-ordered to cover the first full year of production.

The colour of the hull is the only major detail that remains undecided, although the distinctive Wally stripes at the bow and the coveline will be painted a different colour on every hull.

“The year 2024 is going to be massive for Wally’s sailing history, as we launch our 49th maxi sailing yacht,” says Wally managing director Stefano de Vivo.

“We’re intensely busy finishing these two very different yachts and starting to build additional hulls of both. The wallywind110 is destined to deliver fast, ambitious cruising wherever in the world her owner wants to take her, while the wallyrocket51 is an all-out racing machine that will revolutionise regattas for passionate owners.

“What they both share, however, is Wally’s total commitment to innovative solutions, jaw-droppingly attractive looks and a quality that is unmatched. This is our DNA — what Wally has always been about.”

Wally founder and chief designer Luca Bassani adds: “We are excited to launch two new sailing models during Wally’s 30th anniversary year. These yachts represent the two extremes of the sailing experience: cruising and racing.

“Wally has always been able to address both markets by applying the performance principle to every new yacht. Wherever you turn the dial between cruising and racing, a Wally yacht will always be fast and innovative. That is why the brand remains a beacon of light for passionate sailors.”

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