| Line honours for Nilaya. |
| By the Rolex Volcano Race Media Team, May 23, 2012. |
| Photos by Kurt Arrigo for Rolex, edited By Peter Andrews. |
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| Filip Balcaen’s 112-ft Supermaxi Nilaya (BEL) has claimed line honours at the 2012 Rolex Volcano Race, following an enthralling Leg Two of the offshore race. |
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Filip Balcaen’s 112-ft Supermaxi Nilaya (BEL), line-honours winner
of leg two of the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| Nilaya was the first boat to complete the 300-nautical mile course, arriving to a glorious sunset in Capri, after a challenging voyage through the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. She arrived at 20:05:06 CEST this evening, completing the race in one day, two hours and six seconds. |
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Filip Balcaen’s 112-ft Supermaxi Nilaya (BEL) with Capri in the background,
during leg two of the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| It was a hard-fought victory. Following yesterday evening’s start in Capri, the race rapidly developed into a classic three-way tussle with Nilaya eventually ousting Claus-Peter Offen’s 100-ft Wally Y3K (GER) and Sir Peter Ogden’s recently revamped 60-ft Mini Maxi Jethou (GBR). The three crews regularly exchanged positions during an intense contest.
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Claus-Peter Offen's Wally 100 Maxi Y3K (GER), after the start in Capri,
during leg two of the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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“We had an awful start,” reveals Balcaen, who helmed the fastest boat. “Nilaya is a big boat which doesn’t react very quickly when there is no wind. Afterwards the first part down to the islands saw quite strong winds which then increased all the time.”
It was here where the highest wind speed of 39 knots was recorded, that Nilaya temporarily moved in front of her determined rivals. |
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Sir Peter Ogden’s 60-foot Mini Maxi Jethou (GBR) cuts the waves on
her way to Capri, during leg two of the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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“Jethou then moved ahead of us when we were within the islands,” continued Balcaen. “And once we reached Stromboli, the wind died almost completely. However, soon afterwards we passed Jethou and Y3K stayed behind us for the rest of the time.”
Guided by the expert tactics of Bouwe Bekking, Nilaya hung on to her lead. Y3K eventually finished 18 minutes after Nilaya with Jethou a further 23 minutes behind. Nilaya’s line honours success joins her class win at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in 2011. |
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The pink spinnaker of Gérard Logel's Arobas (FRA) is contrasted
by dark skies as she approaches the Aeolian Islands, during leg two of
the Rolex Volcano Race 2012.
Photo © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.
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| Two crews on Ismec (ITA) and Wild Joe (HUN), were forced to retire from the race. With eight yachts still out at sea, the overall winner of Leg Two will be revealed in the coming hours. They will be awarded 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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Márton Józsa's Reichel Pugh 60 Wild Joe (HUN), after
the start in Capri of leg two 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. |
