Friday 24 June 2011

Giraglia Rolex Cup : Esimit Europa 2 Retains Line Honours


Igor Simcic, owner of ESIMIT EUROPA 2, Jochen Schuemann (skipper) and Lionel Schurch, Rolex SA. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.

by Anna Maria Gregorini

At 22:33.20 CET Igor Simcic’s Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) crossed the finish line in Genoa to claim line honours at the Giraglia Rolex Cup.

Esimit Europa 2 completed the course in 33 hours 45 minutes and 20 seconds thus retaining the title they claimed in 2010, when the event finished in San Remo. Simcic was presented on arrival with a Rolex Yacht-Master Rolesium.


ESIMIT EUROPA 2 at the finish line in Genoa, line honours winner. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.

Owner Simcic paid tribute to the Esimit crew: “This Giraglia was different from last year, we had all the time this light wind and for the boat it is very important to not stop. We looked all the time how to keep it running and had to keep our attention focused on everything. The whole team made their contribution to this success.“

As Esimit crossed the line in Liguria, the nearest yacht, Alegre (GBR), were some 44-nautical miles behind. It promises to be a long night at sea for the remainder of the fleet.

The countdown clock is now running for the overall corrected-time victory.

Giraglia Rolex Cup