| The first morning dawn - update. |
| By the Rolex Middle Sea Race Media Team. |
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Photos by
Kurt Arrigo for Rolex,
Additional photos and page edited By Peter Andrews. |
| Sunday October 24, 2010. |
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| The first morning dawned on the Rolex Middle Sea Race to find the main pack of the fleet just south of Reggio di Calabria, off the east coast of Sicily. The frontrunner, Esimit Europa 2 reported making 17 plus knots out of the Strait of Messina, helped by a fair 3 knot tide. |
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Igor Simcic's Esimit Europa 2 approaching Stromboli, during
the 31st Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex /
Kurt Arrigo.
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| After a lighter period, the Slovenian entry got back into a 15 to 18 knot breeze and at 09.00 had rounded Stromboli. Stromboli is almost 1,000 metres high and an active volcano that marks the northeast ‘corner’ of this race track. Once around, the 100-foot maxi was reaching at 14.4 knots towards the west. ICAP Leopard was 25 miles behind Esimit, just approaching Stromboli making 10 knots. |
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Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard passing Stromboli while in eruption, during the
31st Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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The problem that lies ahead is an area of high pressure just off the north coast of Sicily, a potential ‘parking lot’, enroute to the next turning mark of the course which are the Egadi Islands 150 miles away.
Alegre emerged from the Strait and was reaching towards Stromboli at 15 plus knots. Behind the mini maxi are a half dozen boats from classes One and Two, once lined up like a train and now gaining separation as the wind goes light and the tide is posed to turn against them.
The Hungarian boat Wild Joe, is leading this pack with about five miles to go to exit the Strait and the tidal gate turning within the hour. Which boats get through in time will be a game changer for some. |
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The now Hungarian
Reichel Pugh Wild Joe, seen here before the start of the Sydney
to Gold Coast Race in 2007 on Sydney Harbour, New South Wales Australia.
Photo © Peter Andrews / Outimage.
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In a call this morning with Bret Perry, Australian crewman on Wild Joe, he described the current situation.
"We are coming up to the exit of the channel now and we hope that we can get there before the tide changes. According to the chart, we have about half an hour to spare. If we can get out there, it will be good. The rest of the fleet is going to have to face a lot of tide coming through here. We have got ourselves into this position by hugging the Italian coast. We caught up a little on Alegre last night when they hit a bit of a light patch, so we are feeling pretty good here." |
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The now Hungarian
Reichel Pugh Wild Joe, seen here at the start of the Sydney to Gold
Coast Race in 2007 on Sydney Harbour, New South Wales Australia.
Photo © Peter Andrews / Outimage.
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Only two miles behind are Vladimir Prosikhin’s E1 (RUS), and the TP52s’ Pace (GBR) and Lucky (USA). A further two miles behind is German Tognella’s Cookson 50 Cantankerous, followed by the Baltic 56, Laetitia (GER).
The leading Maltese boat, Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Surfside, was making good headway, despite the light conditions. The Dufour 44 has had a great season, winning most of the local Maltese races and while technically a cruising boat, Gambin says they’re competitive with the racing boats.
"The weather forecast has been very accurate so although we are a Maltese boat, local knowledge has not been a big factor so far. As long as you prepare properly and have the right crew, you can compete against the more technically designed boats." |
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Bryon Ehrhart's TP52 Lucky, during the 31st Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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The race fleet can be tracked online at www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/tracker/#tracker.
George David’s Rambler (USA) established the current Course Record of 47 hours, 55 minutes, and 3 seconds in 2007. To break this record, a Class 1 leader would have to finish on Monday morning before 11.35am. The final prize giving is at 12.00pm on Saturday, October 30, at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta. |
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Johnny
Vincent's TP52 Pace, during the 31st Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| For more information about the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2009 including the entry list, position reports and results please visit www.rolexmiddlesearace.com.
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| Outimage and Rolex © 2010 |
