Esimit Europa 2 heads for northern Europe

Igor Simcic's maxi heading for Kiel, Round Gotland and Fastnet races

The former Alfa Romeo 100ft maxi, Esimit Europa 2 is heading for northern Europe for the first time this summer.

On the Europe Day, during her first official training of the 2013 season, Igor Simčič, founder of the Esimit Europa project, and Jochen Schümann, skipper the Esimit Europa 2 announced their schedule for the summer and the countries their maxi yacht will visit. This will comprise Germany (Kieler Woche), Sweden (ÅF Offshore Race), United Kingdom (Cowes Week and Rolex Fastnet Race) before returning to the Med where she will visit Italy (Bernetti Lombardini Cup and Barcolana) and will attempt to set a new world sailing record from Trieste – Valletta for the Medot Sailing Trophy and compete in Malta (Rolex Middle Sea Race).

Over the winter Esimit Europa 2 has been in refit. Her new paint job features big yellow stars on the sides of her hull and on top of her mainsail, together with a new light blue hull colour that illustrates her ambitions in the northern seas.

First up, Kieler Woche takes place at the end of June. One of the biggest sailing events in the world, this regularly sees more than 3 million visitors, 1800 sailing yachts and 450 races.

The Esimit Sailing Team will then move on to Stockholm for the start of the best known Swedish regatta, the ÅF Offshore Race (formerly Gotland Runt), on 30 June. This 350 mile long race, arounds the island of Gotland ends in Sandhamn, is expected to see a record fleet of yachts. 

From Sweden, Esimit Europe 2 will then move south to the United Kingdom for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week at the beginning of August. The 18-member crew will compete in three inshore races and prepare for the famous Rolex Fastnet Race. At 608 miles long the Rolex Fastnet Race represents the season highlight, and one of the biggest tests for the yacht due to occasionally severe weather conditions this race can throw at competitors.

From Plymouth, Esimit Europa 2 will return to Mediterranean for four races in October. They start with the Bernetti Lombardini Cup and Barcolana in the Gulf of Trieste. Then in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, starting and finishing in Malta the European maxi will attempt to break the course record for Medot Sailing Trophy).