Dalts sets the pace from sunny St Tropez

Nautor Challenge leads the fleet in its first 243-mile offshore race

The top sailors were divided over whether the course record, set three years ago by the Open 60 Riviera di Rimini, was under threat. "The winds around the Giraglia Rock are always difficult, but if it is south-easterly to Genoa then it could be good for the record."

But Rrose Selavy's Mauro Pelaschier, the former America's Cup helmsman, believed light winds would prevail. "We are not looking at record breaking conditions this year."

Grant Dalton said he was not concerned about records. "For us this race is about bedding in a new boat and a new crew," he commented. But among that crew are top American keelboat racer Dee Smith and triple 49er world champion Chris Nicholson. If they see the record is on, they won't be able to resist the challenge.

The Giraglia Race is now in its 49th year, and is the climax of the Giraglia Rolex Cup, which runs from 17 to 24 June 2001.

See page three for more photos...