Small boat weather

Maxi boats struggle in light winds off St Tropez for day three of inshore racing at the Giraglia Rolex Cup

The third day of the Giraglia Rolex Cup was dominated by the smallest boats in the fleet, the larger Class Zero Maxis not featuring in the results at all.

Light winds from the East at the start of the third inshore race saw those boats heading hard for the right hand side of the course eventually benefit from their choice. A shorter 15-mile one-lap windward-leeward style course was set today taking the fleet out to the same weather mark as had been used on the two previous days and back to the finish right in front of the port of St Tropez.

Up until today the predominantly light winds had favoured the Class Zero maxis with their tall rigs using the air aloft. But today, although the wind was light initially, it filled in relatively quickly and was blowing at sea level where the smaller boats could enjoy it too. The smaller boats also benefited from the fact that their start sequence was as much as ten minutes after the big boats, meaning they sailed in proportionally more regular winds than their bigger sisters for longer. As a result two of the smallest boats in the fleet collected first and second overall today, relegating the star-studded big boats down to the 'also ran' ranks.

Andrea La Volpe's Mariolina, a production Beneteau First 31.7, won by nearly two and half minutes on corrected time from Alberto De Martini¹s X-332 Elixir, these two almost ten minutes ahead of the first maxi. Mariolina now leads Class Four overall going into the double points scoring long offshore race.

X-Sport, owned by Stefano Spangaro and skippered by Gabrielle Benussi made a clean sweep of the three inshore races today, winning Class One for the third day in a row. Benussi started on port tack at the committee boat and was the first to the right side of the course in the Gulf of St Tropez. The wind dropped down to 2-3 knots for a period of about 20 minutes before filling in from the right. Surrounded by the maxis the 'little red flyer' was one of the first boats to benefit from the new wind, sailing smartly to win the class.

"With more wind we were much more competitive with the Maxis today," commented Gabrielle Benussi, skipper of Gd Soleil 56R X-Sport Class. "We had a perfect start and sailed in amongst the Maxis for quite a long time. We are really pleased with the boat now, it is going well in all conditions." Benussi is handing over the wheel to Stefano Spangaro for the Giraglia race itself as he is off to Sardinia for the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds.
The bigger maxis, sailing a stop-start kind of race gave the spectators lined along the St Tropez pier a true spectacle as they approached the finish line. The first two back into the Gulf were the Kiwi Alfa Romeo and the Slovenian Magic Jena, both of them sailing at full speed into a large patch of windless water just 500 metres from the finish line. The five following boats, including the giants My Song, Idea, Enigma and Alexia roared up behind them closing the gap right up and sailing closer to the pier. Alfa Romeo touched some more wind, just managing to squeeze across the line ahead of Idea, the first five boats finishing in just over 60 seconds after nearly two hours racing, class honours today going to the Argentinian yacht Alexia, owned by Alberto Roemers.

"There were two opposing breezes today, the trick was in staying in the dominant one," commented Albert Jacobsone, pitman on board Idea. "The return leg was heart stopping. We played the bullets of wind well and anticipated the light patches better than the some of the bigger boats. As for tomorrow, we¹ll see what the wind brings us. Idea is being prepared now for her third Giraglia Race,"

Pos	Sail nr.	Yacht	Owner	Type	Class	R1	R2	R3	Tot
1	ITA121	X-SPORT	STEFANO SPANGARO	GRAND SOLEIL 56 R	R 1	6	5	8	19
2	ITA13740	EXPLOIT	RAVAIONI PIERGIORGIO c/o X YACHT IT	IMX 40	C 2	11	13	4	28
3	GBR7070	ALEXIA	ALBERTO ROEMMERS	IMS MAXI	R 0	4	7	25	36
4	FRA9441	ETTORE	ETTORE Philippe	A 40	C 2	23	15	3	41
5	ITA1811	EDIMETRA VI	GISMONDI ERNESTO C/O CEMATE	WALLY 65	C 0	8	6	28	42
6	FRA9393	NEARMISS	NOEL Frank	IMX 40	C 2	17	18	9	44
7	FRA9445	IMAGINE	ARGELIES Gilles	IMX 45	C 1	7	10	29	46
8	ITA333	AURORA	BERRUTO-BONOMO	CANARD 41	C 1	9	19	20	48
9	ITA2929	IDEA	RAIOLA RAFFAELE	MAXI	R 0	2	1	50	53
10	FRA9503	TWINS'	Eurl E.M.E	SWAN 45	C 1	12	9	33	54
11	FRA9400	MAGICIAN	BUREAU Jacques	SWAN 45	C 1	22	21	11	54
12	ITA1123	MY SONG	LORO PIANA PIERLUIGI	R/P 85	R 0	5	2	56	63
13	FRA28287	ALCIDIA	NICOLAS GUY	FIRST 36.7 Racing	C 3	28	27	10	65
14	FRA28465	MAGIC SIMCA	LAVAYSSE Laurent	IMX 40	C 2	20	16	30	66
15	ITA2002	BELLA DONNA	GENNARI JEAN MARIE	SYNEY 46 Frac Mod	C 1	18	22	34	74
16	ITA17442	OXIDIANA	PITRUZZELLA GIOVANNI	X-442 SD	C 2	34	28	17	79
17	ITA14206	KEY WEST	VACCARONE-FRANCESIA	FIRST 36.7	C 3	24	41	16	81
18	GER5245	OPUS ONE	WOLFGANG STOLZ	SWAN 45	C 1	13	8	66	87
19	ITA6921	GRAMPUS	PURI NEGRI CARLO	C & C 61	C 1	26	38	23	87
20	FRA21883	FAREWELL	PIERREJEAN Roger	IMX 40	C 2	16	14	63	93
21	ITA109	FREMITO D'ARJA	LEVI DARIO	J-109	C 2	21	34	39	94
22	ITA12245	J BACK	FANTINI MARCO	J 39	C 2	31	25	38	94
23	ITA11502	ALA BIANCA	CAPOZZI CAMILLO	POLARIS 33	C 4	44	47	6	97
24	ITA6	MALF...AMATO	LEUZZI PAOLO	C & C 37/40 R	C 3	29	24	44	97
25	ITA14185	LULU'	BAGNOLI MARCO	FIRST 40.7 MOD.	C 2	27	31	40	98
26	FRA21690	AY! AY! AY!	LEOPOLDO GAVITO	SWAN 45	C 1	15	12	72	99
27	ITA3703	CLEAN ENERGY	COGNI ALBERTO	IMX 40	C 2	25	20	54	99
28	ITA13898	MARIOLINA	LA VOLPE ANDREA	FIRST 31.7	C 4	51	49	1	101
29	ITA12668	NUMERO UNO 3	BASSINO EMANUELE	GRAND SOLEIL 50	C 1	30	36	35	101
30	W60	WALLYNO	LUCA BASSANI ANTIVARI	WALLY 60	C 0	10	3	89	102
31	ITA13683	ISOLARIA	MORI GIORGIO	FIRST 47.7	C 1	19	26	57	102
32	ITA13428	SCACCO MATTO	BRUNO ROBERTO	FIRST 40.7	C 2	43	50	13	106
33	SUI8601	ASPIRATION	HOFFMANN Alex	SWAN 86 (WK)	C 0	37	23	48	108
34	ITA13265	FIRST FLY	MORELLI PIERANGELO	FIRST 40.7	C 2	46	33	32	111
35	BEL565	ATALANTE	RAYMOND TANGHE	Swan 56	C 1	58	40	15	113
36	ITA13579	CAPITANI CORAGGIOSI 2	FELCINI-GAVINO-SANTORO-CAVALETTO	IMX 40	C 2	39	17	60	116
37	NZL80	ALFA ROMEO	NEVILLE CRICHTON	90' WATER B. SLOO	R 0	3	4	110	117
38	ITA11309	DREAM AWAY	POLI SERGIO	X-342	C 4	35	55	37	127
39	ITA13701	BLACK ANGEL	DI LIBERTO STEFANO	IMX 38	C 2	48	59	21	128
40	FRA18828	ELIXIR	DE MARTINI ALBERTO	X-332	C 4	66	67	2	135
41	GBR4770R	AUDACIOUS	DAVID WADSWORTH	FIRST 47.7	C 1	36	42	59	137
42	ITA14272	DESPEINADA	BORRINI ITALO	GRAND SOLEIL 40 R	C 2	126	11	5	142
43	ITA13672	X-WAVE	ROCCATAGLIATA MARCO	X-332	C 4	59	66	22	147
44	FRA28626	WIND BIRD	TOTI Michel	SUN FAST 43	C 1	49	37	62	148
45	GBR9688R	DULCISSIMA	MUSSO GIORGIO	J-130 MOD.	C 1	33	35	83	151
46	ITA12893	L'EQUIPE 2	IDA SCHIAVI c/o VELADOC	EQUIPE 33	R 2	47	56	49	152
47	ITA1212	MARIPOSA	CABECADAS DE SOUSA RUI MANUEL COELH	MD 65-2	C 0	41	45	67	153
48	ITA10951	GIGIAT	ANTONINI PIERLUIGI	GRAND SOLEIL 39 P	C 3	57	54	42	153
49	FRA28273	SAFIORAN	MOREL Philippe	SUN FAST 37 Le	C 3	75	62	18	155
50	ITA13862	HORCA MYTICA BABETTE	ERROI GIUSEPPE	FIRST 40.7	C 2	52	52	52	156
51	FRA2170	ALMOGAVER	ILLES Antoine	SPRINT 95(7/8+2ru	C 3	63	58	36	157
52	ITA13903	EXTASY	ABOLAFFIO DANIELE	FIRST 40.7	C 2	38	46	74	158
53	ITA1560	ALULA	VISCONTI Diego	SWAN 60 Cruiser	C 1	50	32	78	160
54	FRA19590	VA DOUSIK	MUSNIER Bernard	X-362 SPORT	C 3	42	53	65	160
55	ITA13542	MANDRAGOLA ELYO	MARCALLINI NATALE	FIRST 40.7	C 2	54	51	55	160
56	FRA19571	SIETEL MIDI TELECOM	FRANCOIS Laurent	FIRST 32 S5 (Bulb	C 4	64	91	12	167
57	ITA36	CE'-ALF	COMPAGNONI PAOLO	DEHLER 36	C 3	67	69	31	167
58	GBR76R	ENIGMA of LONDON	ENIGMA RACING Ltd,	PROTO MAXI	R 0	1	126	45	172
59	FIN9217	IRIS	MONTI ROBERTO	J-125	C 1	32	44	97	173
60	ITA13407	SESTO SENSO	BUCCIARELLI ROBERTO c/o LARIO SAIL	FIRST 40.7 MOD.	C 2	69	39	71	179
61	FRA18840	NEUF DE PACQUES	SAINT-ANDRE Philippe	FIRST 40.7 Racing	C 2	126	30	24	180
62	BEL568	STORMS	H STORMS	FIRST 38	C 4	78	90	14	182
63	ITA13882	MAMMY THE BEST IV	SGHERRI UBALDO	GRAND SOLEIL 40 C	C 2	60	60	69	189
64	ITA12533	CRICHIA	SCAFATI PAOLO	DEHLER 34	C 4	83	61	47	191
65	FRA4724	EXOCET 1	HENS Maurice	FIRST 47.7 (DK)	C 1	70	48	73	191
66	ITA13933	VEGA	BONIFACINO VIRGINIO	GRAND SOLEIL 40 C	C 2	40	126	27	193
67	ITA13763	XANTORILLA	OREFICE SABBA	FIRST 40.7	C 2	126	29	41	196
68	ITA9741	TRANSBUNKER	TRANSBUNKER GROUP	FIRST 40.7	C 2	45	126	26	197
69	ITA14046	ONDINE	DEGIOANNI LUIGI CARLO	SWAN 53	C 2	100	93	7	200
70	FRA19975	JOBIC IV	BARATOUX Yves	HANSE 401	C 3	80	71	58	209
71	ITA14078	FDV DIADORA	PISTONE FRANCO	SUN FAST 37	C 3	102	89	19	210
72	ITA11788	MAYA I^	CRISPO LUCIO	GRAND SOLEIL 52	C 1	81	43	87	211
73	ITA13780	FANTASIA	MIADONNA ANTONIO	SOLARIS 36	C 4	85	72	64	221
74	FRA2824	GENEPY	CARPINELLO Luigi	FIRST 31.7 DK (3)	C 4	91	88	43	222
75	LUX999	Mr. FIPS	MERSH Patrick	H 55 V	C 1	61	64	98	223
76	X1	KIND OF BLUE	FIAMMA MAURO	COMET 65	C 1	93	63	68	224
77	ITA13497	C.CO.C.	CICCONETTI CLAUDIO	FIRST 36.7	C 3	53	126	46	225
78	FRA21584	ARGO	CHAUVIN Maurice	FIRST 40.7R DK (3	C 2	65	79	81	225
79	NED6600	KATALYX	M.B.T. DE GROOT	X-562	C 1	84	65	77	226
80	FRA3703	CLIN D'OEIL 5	DIAMANTINI MICHELE E DAVIDE	X-412	C 2	73	74	79	226
81	ITA13423	MAGIC BLUE	SIRENA FABRIZIO	IMX 38	C 2	56	126	51	233
82	ITA13229	CIPRIA DUE	SANNA SALVATORE c/o VELADOC	FIRST 40.7	C 2	55	126	53	234
83	ITA13860	HORCA MAGICA	ERROI GIUSEPPE	FIRST 40.7	C 2	72	78	85	235
84	ITA14346	NATA LIBERA	LEQUIO MARINA	GRAND SOLEIL 37	C 4	89	87	61	237
85	ITA13137	SOLIDEA	CARRACINO STEFANO	GRAND SOLEIL 37 M	C 3	76	68	96	240
86	ITA13919	CARAMELLE	NASSIVERA-PATTACCINI	PROTEUS 90	R 3	62	75	106	243
87	ITA13849	BRIVIDO	DE MARCHI ANDREA	FIRST 31.7	C 4	94	70	80	244
88	ITA13696	FREELANCE	BELLANI LORIS	FIRST 40.7	C 2	68	73	108	249
89	SLO2002	SIAD MAGIC JENA	SAILING MAGIC TEAM	MAXI BOAT	R 0	14	126	112	252
90	FRA9372	LEXINGTON	BRUGIERE Jean Paul	X-332 DK (3)	C 3	92	77	84	253
91	FRA1	FOUNET	PIA ALESSANDRO	IMX-38	C 2	97	83	75	255
92	ITA12378	JARO VI	MUSSO ALBERTO	X-119	C 2	71	92	94	257
93	FRA28977	IOLESTE	DECOURT Pierre	TARGATA	C 1	82	82	93	257
94	ITA2222	DIPENDE DAL VENTO	BRAIDA ROBERTO	FIRST 40.7	C 2	77	80	103	260
95	ITA14280	BEAUCEANT	FRANCHINI MARIA ANTONELLA	VISMARA 45	C 1	74	76	111	261
96	ITA13661	RAGION PURA	VALENTI PIETRO	FIRST 40.7 B.GHIS	C 2	79	85	99	263
97	FRA18937	AZUR	AZUR,	X-382	C 3	99	86	82	267
98	ITA3007	NINA VIII	EBERHARD RICCARDO	NICHOLSON 55	C 2	95	103	70	268
99	FRA6387	GITANA VI	De Rothschild Benjamin	PROTO	C 1	87	95	90	272
100	ITA13753	NASO DI FALCO	POSTANI MAURIZIO	FIRST 33.7 (DK)	C 4	101	81	92	274
101	FRA2402	MAAF ASSURANCES	DELANGE GILLES	FIRST 40.7R DK (3	C 2	88	84	102	274
102	ITA10869	FREEDOM	BONAVENTURA SERGIO	IOR ONE TON	R 2	86	94	95	275
103	FRA28659	VODIANOI III	AQUITAINE PROMOTION	BENETEAU 57	C 1	103	99	76	278
104	ITA12838	KIMA	GORZIGLIA ENRICO	GRAND SOLEIL 45 M	C 2	126	57	104	287
105	ITA14325	IMPALA	ANGIOLINI GIOVANNI	FIRST 53F5	C 1	98	96	100	294
106	FRA18561	FAUVE	NICOLAI Paul	SUN FAST 52 Sdt	C 1	96	98	107	301
107	ITA13877	OLIVIA	LOGLIO GIORGIO	FIRST 31.7	C 4	126	97	91	314
108	GBR5324T	ABRICOTINE III	FATHOMS YACHTS, MAURER Heinz	CENTURION 49 (DK)	C 2	90	126	101	317
109	ITA13720	NISIDA	BOIOCCHI DARIO c/o ORZA MINORE	GY 51	C 1	104	102	113	319
110	FRA29002	GREEN ISLAND	CHAISE Guy	CENTURION 49 (DK)	C 2	106	126	88	320
111	ITA13549	NO PROBLEM	BALDO CLAUDIA/S.NAUTICA VIVERONESE	SINTESI 45	C 1	105	101	114	320
112	ITA5502	WINDRIFT	PETER BLOMQUIST	PROTOTIPO	C 1	126	100	105	331
113	MON206	SPEEDY GECKO	SANDRETTO GILBERTO	CUSTOM 57	C 0	126	126	86	338
114	ITA14213	MOVIDA	MASSIMO BERALDO	BENETEAU 50	C 3	126	104	109	339