Rolex Giraglia

Wednesday 14th June 2023. Yachting is well and truly in the spotlight this year. As Yacht Club de Monaco celebrates its 70th anniversary, the legendary Rolex Giraglia is also blowing out 70 candles on its birthday cake, as 168 boats lined up for the start of this race between France and Italy with an obligatory passage round the famous Giraglia Rock off north Corsica.

A light 8 knot breeze was enough to get the 155-strong fleet off to a good start from the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The perfect weather conditions at the start indicated a possible 22 to 24 hour delay for the biggest boats, although the 100-footers should benefit from a steady wind across the course, at least to the Giraglia. The return from there to Genoa could be more complicated and turn into a long 90nm close hauled leg with several options to reach Genoa. Currently, the leaders are sailing at around 10 knots towards a buoy located between Fréjus and Cannes, an obligatory passage mark before they can head for Corsica.

The first to cross to the island are expected later this evening and the first arrivals in Genoa any time from late morning tomorrow 15th June. Among those competing from the Yacht Club de Monaco are Peter Harburg (Black Jack) in IRC 0, Peter Harrison (Jolt 3) in IRC 1, Loïc Pompée (Le Joy) in IRC 1, Emmanuel Santelli (Magic Sea) in IRC 1, Valter Pizzoli (Les Amis) in ORC 0, Guido Miani (Arca 100) in IRC 0,  and Benoît de Froidmont (Wallyno) in IRC 0.