Rolex Volcano Race 2011 – A new Race is born

The star-studded international fleet was given a rousing send off in the medieval quarter of Gaeta. Yesterday morning, representatives from each of the 13 competing yachts were given a memento of the occasion by the Mayor of Gaeta, Antonio Raimondi. The Marina Militare orchestra entertained the ensemble in the Piazzale Caboto with a recital, including a standing ovation to the Italian National Anthem.

Dockside, the Rolex Volcano Race fleet was a magnificent sight: the flags of Britain, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy and Portugal where fluttering in the building breeze.

As the start of the Rolex Volcano Race drew near, the fleet of Mini Maxi and Maxi Yachts hoisted their sails and were jostling for position in the starting area. This may be the first ever edition of this new and exciting race, but it was a veteran who was first to cross the line. Ernesto Gismondi’s Wally 65 Edimetra judged the line to perfection. However, it was not long before the powerful Swan 90, DSK Pioneer Investments, helmed by Danilo Salsi, took an early lead, closely followed by Andres Soriano’s Mills 65, Alegre. The first mark was positioned just off the old port of Gaeta and it was Alegre that took up the lead, just ahead of DSK Pioneer Investments. Unfurling a colossal Code Zero, Alegre’s sleek silver hull shot past the medieval battlements, accelerating at an alarming speed.

Behind the two leading boats, a close battle was taking place. French Swan 601, aRobas, skippered by Gérard Logel was leading the pack, closely followed by Hungarian Reichel Pugh 60, Wild Joe with the Italian Wally, Edimetra very much in contention.

The wind held steady, as the fleet surged its way past Punta Gaeta, to a turning mark before heading out to sea. Alegre extended their lead on the fleet and after just three and a half hours of racing Alegre were about five nautical miles from Isla di Ponza, the first archipelago of island that mark this spectacular course.

As the competitors in the Rolex Volcano Race settle into their first night at sea, keeping the yacht in good breeze will be vitally important. By the light of just the moon and stars, the signs of wind are far less visible. Racing at night brings on the importance of teamwork, it becomes harder to see what changes in the wind are ahead, and reacting together becomes vitally important.

The Rolex Volcano Race is organised by the International Maxi Association in collaboration with the Yacht Club Gaeta for the start and the Yacht Club Capri for the finish.

Alegre (GBR), Armeigin III (POR), aRObas (FRA), DSK Pioneer Investments (ITA), Edimetra (ITA), Good Job Guys (ITA), Grande Orazio (ITA), H2O (ITA), Skagerrak (ITA), STIG (ITA), Vertical Smile (DEN), Viking IV (ITA) and Wild Joe (HUN) are participating in this new challenge.

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