Palermo-Montecarlo offshore: Rambler 88 claims Line Honours

Two years after crossing the line first, George David’s Rambler 88 again took line honours in the Palermo-Montecarlo, posting a time of 55 hours 34 minutes and 30 seconds, arriving in Monaco at 7.34pm on Thursday 23^rd August. Fickle weather conditions on the Corsican ascent meant the mono-hull did not succeed in beating the record held by Esimit Europa 2 since 2015 of 47 hours 46 minutes and 48 seconds.

The crew on Rambler 88 set the tone from the start, given at midday on 21^st August in the Gulf of Mondello by HSH Prince Albert II. Having dominated the fleet up to and through the Strait of Bonifacio, Rambler 88 had their work cut out protecting their lead. Equally determined to pull off another victory, the crew on last year’s winner Lucky led by Bryon Ehrhart was constantly on their heels, keeping up the pressure and suspense. After 500 nautical miles, they crossed the line less than an hour after Rambler 88 to come 2^nd in real time.

Accompanied by light unstable conditions, the rest of the fleet had difficulty getting away from the start area. Despite pulling ahead in the top three, the trimaran Ad Maiora could not keep up the pace and was overtaken by Atalanta II then Endless Game.  

This evening the five young sailors from the YCM’s Sports Section on Freedom, competing in this adventure for the Sailing Youth Offshore Academy U25, are currently lying 17^th in real time.

Prize-giving is Sunday 26^th August at 8.00pm in the Yacht Club de Monaco. A highly anticipated moment as the winner in corrected time will be announced. With every boat being very different, all are rated to ensure a level playing field for an increasingly eclectic fleet, which this year comprised 53 entrants representing 10 nationalities.