GIRAGLIA ROLEX CUP

SANREMO, ITA - SAINT-TROPEZ, FRA - GENOVA, ITA
www.regattanews.com - Übersicht

ITA June 18, 2015
LEADER FROM THE START

Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) has confirmed her dominance of line honours at the Giraglia Rolex Cup finishing as the fastest boat for the fifth time in six years.
The 100-ft Maxi led the record 240-strong fleet from the outset of the 243-nm offshore race from Saint-Tropez to Genoa finishing on Thursday at 17:27 CEST in an elapsed time of 29 hours, 11 minutes and 58 seconds.

The light winds which characterised the 63rd edition of the race ensured that Esimit was never able to mount a serious challenge on the impressive race record she set back in 2012 (14 hours, 56 minutes, 16 seconds). Nevertheless, both owner and skipper were delighted with another victory.

“It means we still have a very fast boat and that everything went well,” said owner Igor Simcic. “We have confirmation that in the Mediterranean this boat is unbeatable even with the arrival of newer boats. We won in strong wind in 2012, and in light wind this time. We have a very good boat and a crew which gives everything and this is the result.”

Leading from the start enabled Esimit to control the race tactically, immediately pulling ahead of her nearest rival – the fleet’s other 100-ft contender, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’s Magic Carpet Cubed (GBR). “We are very happy. It was a tough race,” confirmed skipper Jochen Schümann. “We had a very good strategy and weather model which matched the conditions quite well. The first part to the Giraglia rock was very good for us, we had a very good lead over Magic Carpet. At the rock we got stuck and struggled for a while when there was no wind and they closed in until we stretched more towards the end of the race. Being in control from the beginning was key to us doing what we wanted to do.”

Magic Carpet Cubed was the second yacht to cross the finish line located outside the Yacht Club Italiano’s base in Genoa, completing the race just over an hour after Esimit.
The following arrivals are likely to come from the group of five highly-competitive Maxi 72s, all practically identical on handicap and effectively match racing to Genoa. Just 3-nm separate Robertissima III (GBR), Caol Ila R (USA), MOMO (IVB) and Shockwave (USA).

At 19:00 CEST the bulk of the fleet were approaching the Giraglia rock and facing a second night at sea. The outcome of the next few hours is likely to have a major impact on who will be identified as the overall winner of the race’s 63rd edition.
To follow the progress of the 2015 Giraglia Rolex Cup fleet please follow the race tracker here.
Video Highlights Video highlights from yesterday’s 2015 Giraglia Rolex Cup start are available to view here. Media can access the embed codes to play the video on their own website by clicking here. About Rolex and Yachting The Giraglia Rolex Cup has been partnered by Rolex since 1998. The event opens Rolex’s European yachting season and will be followed by August’s Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the world’s most famous offshore races. For full details of Rolex’s proud relationship with yachting a dedicated Press Kit is available in English and Italian. photos ID: 34262 MAGIC CARPET CUBED, GBR at sunrise sailing off the Giraglia Rock ID: 34273 CAOL ILA R, USA and MOMO, IVB reach the Giraglia Rock ID: 34280 ESIMIT EUROPA 2, SLO crosses the line at 17h27 CEST, completing the race course in... ID: 34281 ESIMIT EUROPA 2, SLO arrives in Genoa, winning her 5th Giraglia Rolex Cup line... ID: 34283 ESIMIT EUROPA 2, SLO crosses the line at 17h27 CEST, completing the race course in... videos Giraglia Rolex Cup - Départ - Version en français Giraglia Rolex Cup 2015 - Partenza - Versione in italiano Giraglia Rolex Cup 2015 - Start (English version) Official Websites Rolex Press Room https://pressroom.rolex.com/en/sports-and-culture.html Yacht Club Italiano www.yci.it About regattanews regattanews.com is the comprehensive media source for the events that form the Rolex Yachting Portfolio. Incorporating media-driven features, regattanews.com is the reference point. In addition to high-resolution images, the regattanews.com online media centre offers photo stories, press releases in numerous languages, exclusive, lifestyle-oriented feature articles, the complete event calendar and direct access to regattanews.com social media platforms. PR SERVICES FOR ROLEX IN YACHTING International Key Partners (KPMS) Anna Maria Gregorini E: anna-maria@kpms.com T: +33 625 375014 T: +41 79 698 5956 Marina Kienitz E: marina@kpms.com T: +33 628 745424 T: +41 79 321 4492 France Agence Olivia Payerne E: contact@agence-op.fr T: +33 (0)1 46 04 08 62 Italy Antonella Asnaghi & Associati E: sinergie@Asnaghiassociati.It T: +39 02 48008294 PR CONTACT FOR YACHT CLUB ITALIANO Umberta Croce E: umberta.croce@studio-imagina.it T: +39 335 8021171 Edit your account Unsubscribe from regattanews.com