Monday, June 14, 2010

Esimit Europa 2: Line honours again on day 2


Photo by: Stefano Gattini - Esimit Europa 2
With 19 knots of wind, the conditions were ideal for Esimit Europa 2 (EUR) on the team’s second day of racing during the inshore portion of the Giralglia Rolex Cup. The bright blue, 100 foot maxi flying the European flag is the largest yacht competing and towers over the fleet of 221 boats. The competition is strong as some of the best known professional sailing teams such as Jethou (GBR), Shockwave (NZL) and Container (GER) prepare for the Giraglia Rolex Cup which starts on Wednesday.

Esimit Europa 2 was quick off the start line today, second around the first mark and took the gun at the finish line with a lead of several minutes over the next boat, mini Maxi Alegre (GBR). But these are early days for the experienced crew of 25 onboard Esimit Europa 2, which has ambitious goals both on and off the water.

“Every time you hoist a sail that you have never used, you can’t know what to expect. But things are going well onboard. What is important is that the crew instinctively knows what they need to do. The crew is calm and every time we leave the dock, we improve,” said Owner Igor Simcic.

Skipper Flavio Favini added; “Each day we discover more about this boat. The inshore races are like an accelerated training programme and we have plenty to learn. Esimit Europa 2 is big and powerful and we want to be as prepared as we can be for the start of the Giraglia Rolex Cup on Wednesday.”

Shoreside the excitement and interest in the team is building. “It’s amazing, this boat, its colours, the crew and the message attracts a great deal of attention. There is a very positive energy about the project. A boat that is so fast, has energy real energy that you can feel and the message is being heard,” added Igor Simcic as he stepped off Esimit Europa 2 to be greeted by the intrigued spectators lining the quay of the Old Port of St Tropez.

Racing continues tomorrow in the confines of the Bay of St Tropez with the prizegiving for the inshore regatta at the historic Citadelle in the evening. All this in preparation for the start of the 58th edition of the Giraglia Rolex Cup, the 241 nautical mile race from St Tropez, which takes the fleet around the Giraglia rock and up to the finish in San Remo.

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For more information, photos and video, please visit http://www.esimit.com/