| Berenice Bis seals first leg win. |
| By the Rolex Volcano
Race Media Team, May 21, 2012. |
| Photos by Kurt Arrigo for Rolex, edited By Peter Andrews. |
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Marco Rodolfi’s Swan 80 Berenice Bis (ITA) claimed Leg One of the 2012 Rolex Volcano Race, which ran some 100-nautical miles from Gaeta, in southern Italy, to the island of Capri.
Berenice Bis was the fifth boat to cross the finishing line in Capri, arriving at 03:53.04 CEST this morning and in the process, ousting two Mini Maxis; Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou (GBR) and Marton Jozsa’s Wild Joe (HUN), on overall handicap. |
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Marco Rodolfi's Swan 80 Berenice Bis (ITA), after start of leg one of the
Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| As widely predicted, Claus-Peter Offen’s 100-ft Wally Y3K (GER) sealed line honours, finishing the course in 11 hours, 37 minutes and 32 seconds. In a close-run contest, Y3K saw off a strong challenge from Filip Balcaen’s Nilaya (BEL), finishing just over three minutes ahead of her nearest rivals. However, the plaudits belong to surprise winner Berenice. |
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Claus-Peter Offen's Wally 100 Maxi Y3K (GER), at the start of leg one of
the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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“We had a great race, making very few mistakes, navigating the islands very well, and when there was a change in the wind we were in the right place to take advantage,” explains Rodolfi. “It is still a surprise because there are many fast and strong boats.”
This wind shift during the night enabled the all-Italian crew to close the gap on the boats ahead, as revealled by Berenice’s tactician and former America’s Cup sailor, Tiziano Nava. |
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Luciano Gandini's Mylius 19E95 Twin Soul 6 (ITA), arrives in Capri to complete
leg one of the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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“The strong winds arrived later than expected, but the last stretch to Capri was quite fast as we reached up to 20 knots. We had the sensation of being close to the larger boats and the boats behind were penalised by the drop in wind after our arrival.”
Fifteen international crews completed the race. The last arrival was Giulio Simeone’s Nelson 67 ISMEF Pep (ITA), finishing at 12:40.13 CEST. The fleet will berth this evening in Capri. |
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Gérard Logel's Arobas (FRA), is welcomed by the sunrise for her
arrival to Capri to complete leg one of the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| Leg Two of the race is scheduled to commence tomorrow at 11:00 CEST and comprises a 300-nautical mile voyage around the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Conditions for the longer leg are currently looking more cautious than initially forecast, with stronger winds predicted for the rush down to the islands and lighter conditions for the return stretch to Capri. |
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Faraglioni, Capri.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| The overall winner of Leg Two will receive the coveted Rolex Trophy and timepiece during the traditional Rolex party at the iconic La Canzone del Mare, held on Friday May 25. |
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Giulio Simeone's Nelson 67 ISMEF Pepe (ITA) and Mario Beomonte's Oyster
68 Viking IV (ITA), match race to the finish line of leg one of the Rolex
Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| The Rolex Volcano Race is organised by the International Maxi Association (IMA) and is open to Maxi yachts (measuring over 18.29 metres or 60-feet in length). Further information on the Rolex Volcano Race may be found at www.internationalmaxiassociation.com. |
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| Outimage and Rolex © 2012. |
