The Giraglia Rolex Cup is back for a 59th year as Corinthian sailing talent from around the world compete for one of the most illustrious and sought-after prizes in the sport. Given the prospective talent on show and enthralling encounters experienced in recent years, the 2011 edition promises to be another rich fixture in the sailing calendar.
In keeping with tradition, the Giraglia Rolex Cup begins with three days of inshore racing on the Bay of Saint-Tropez. These commence on Sunday, 19th June. The inshore events are a fascinating spectacle in themselves and popular amongst crews as a means to hone their skills and strategic planning whilst regaining a competitive rhythm ahead of the offshore marathon. The culmination of the inshore race segment is marked on Tuesday, 21st June by a prize giving ceremony at the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Tropez.
All of this serves as the precursor to the legendary challenge beginning on Wednesday, 22nd June. The 245 nautical mile distance race will see yachts racing from Saint-Tropez across the Lingurian Sea to the Giraglia rock and back to San Remo. The region can often produce variable conditions with crews having to adapt quickly to either.
The Maxi Swan’s entered into the event range from Swan 601, @robas up to the Swan 90’s, Solleone and DSK Pioneer Investments. The Giraglia Rolex Cup is the third and penultimate event on the Swan Maxi Class Circuit. Swan 601, @robas, owned by Gerard Logel, winner of the Swan Maxi Circuit in 2010 and current 2011 leader will be one to watch at Giraglia as he is racing with a well-oiled team.
