Rolex Volcano Race – Quiet before the storm

The weather for the first edition of the Rolex Volcano Race is proving to be as spectacular as the stunning scenery.

By mid-afternoon on the second day of the Rolex Volcano Race, the majority of the Maxi and Mini Maxi fleet had passed Capri, bound for the volcanic island of Stromboli. Race leader Alegre took full advantage. Hoisting a massive hi-tech code zero, the Mini-Maxi literally took off, defying the law of gravity, surfing at over 17 knots. Alegre now has a commanding lead on the water.

Turbulent times may lie ahead of the fleet, the centre of a low-pressure system close to Stromboli is causing very unstable conditions. A small thunderstorm generating 40 knots of wind was observed at Europe’s second largest volcano this afternoon. But there may be no wind at all at the centre of the low, when the competitors in the Rolex Volcano Race arrive there tomorrow.

aRobas leads a peloton of boats chasing the leaders, including Alessandro Rombelli’s Baltic 65, Stig, which pulled off a well-executed passing manoeuvre through the strait, east of Capri. Hungarian Mini-maxi Wild Joe and Italian Wally 65, Edimetra are still very much in contention in this chasing pack. Tonight, the international fleet competing in the Rolex Volcano Race will be making good speed towards Stromboli. Of all the magnificent vistas in the Rolex Volcano Race, Stromboli is the most mesmeric due to its unending explosive activity. Nicknamed “the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”, Stromboli was born over 100,000 years ago and is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, especially noted for its spectacular incandescent explosions. Stromboli towers nearly 900 metres above the Tyrrhenian Sea and the colossal base lays a thousand metres below.

As the fleet in the Rolex Volcano Race head for this awe-inspiring corner of the Mediterranean, several thunderstorms are in evidence across the Southern Apennine Mountains and Sicily. Tomorrow may well be a baptism of fire for the fleet in this fascinating race.