| The first arrival imminent
- Update 17:30 CEST. |
| By the Rolex Middle Sea Race Media Team. |
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Photos by
Kurt Arrigo for Rolex,
Page edited By Peter Andrews. |
| October 25, 2010. |
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| Esimit Europa 2 enjoyed their downwind romp around Lampedusa, rounding at 12.40, with ICAP Leopard rounding just less than two hours behind. With the finish line looming only 25 miles distant and barring any breakdowns, Esimit should have a lock on line honours. The Slovenian entry is due over the finish line off the Royal Malta Yacht Club in Marsamxett Harbour around 18:30 CEST. ICAP Leopard has been chasing all the way from the start and actually gained ground on Esimit and was only 40 miles behind at 17:00; but was quickly running out of runway to reel in the big blue maxi. |
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Igor Simcic's Esimit Europa 2, during the 31st Rolex Middle
Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex /
Rene Rossignau.
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The last of the fleet of 71 yachts still racing have rounded the volcano of Stromboli and are all making their way to Favignana. From there, its then around Pantelleria, Lampedusa and through the South Comino channel, to the finish in Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta.
With nine boats around the ‘mark’ of Favignana, current overall leader of this group is Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky. Ehrhart is a veteran of the Transpac, Newport Bermuda Race, the Bayview Mackinac Race, and also actively campaigns with Etchells 22. On board Lucky, the crew include some of Ehrhart’s Etchells crew as well as Irishman, Ian Moore (crew member, BMW Oracle America’s Cup team) and New Zealander, Dave Swete (2010 World Match Racing champion). |
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Bryon Ehrhart's TP52 Lucky, during the 31st Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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Tonight could well be a tough one for many of the yachts that have not yet reached the northwest corner of Sicily. A cold front is due to arrive from the northwest, bringing rain and wind speeds in excess of twenty knots with lumpy seas, hampering their progress to Favignana.
Beating into strong headwinds can take its toll on the crew and the equipment, as those on Steinlager 2 have already discovered. Steinlager 2 is part of offshore racing folklore, winning the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race with legendary skipper, Sir Peter Blake.
"All sorts of problems changing to the number four headsail," said crewmember Giles Pearman onboard. "We almost lost the number three (headsail) over the side when it ripped out of the foil. It took eight of us on the foredeck to get it under control. The decision on deck is that for now, lifejackets and harnesses are mandatory. My Russian teammates are acting like nothing just happened; but I can’t hide the fact that I am exhausted." |
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Steinlager 2, during the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2008.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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Further back in the fleet, Elusive 2 Medbank crew member Maya Podesta provided a report earlier today. "Monday morning started with eggs and bacon on Elusive, after a not very pleasant second night. Lots of starting and stopping and ‘no wind’ games! Keeps you awake with lots of sail changes and trimming. It must be scenes such as a glowing eruption of Stromboli on one side, and baby dolphins on the other side of the boat at 2am that make this race special, and keep you going!"
"It’s amazing how boats close by on either side can just sail by you and those behind keep catching up, while you never quite manage to catch those ahead of you! We’ve had a lot of drizzle all through the night, but nothing like the rain we hear they had back home! So no rainbows to find a pot of luck at the end! But hey, it’s a long race, and we’re here to keep pushing, no matter how nasty the wind can be!"
Additional boats that have retired today include the Class 40 Pogo 1 (GER), which is headed to Messina, the Cookson 50 Calipso IV (ITA) currently in Palermo, and the Vismara 42 Nautilus QQ7 (ITA). |
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Arthur Podesta's Bermudian Sloop Elusive 2 Medbank, during the 31st Rolex
Middle Sea Race.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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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 race fleet can be tracked online at www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/tracker/#tracker.
The final prize giving is at 12.00pm on Saturday, 30 October at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta.
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 |
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