Bella Mente Racing was founded in 2005 by owner and skipper Hap Fauth, who has commissioned four purpose-built racing yachts. The program’s achievements include being first to finish in the 2006 Newport–Bermuda Race, winning the 2011 Transpac Race Barn Door Trophy while setting a course record, two overall victories in the Caribbean 600, and capturing four IMA World Championships.

The third Bella Mente, launched in 2012, won the Mini Maxi World Championship and secured two more back-to-back Maxi 72 World titles. The current yacht, designed by Botin Partners and built by New England Boatworks, launched in September 2018 and went on to claim the World Championship in 2023. Fauth attributes the team’s sustained success to long-term continuity, with many original crew members still racing together, consistent training, and focused performance optimization.