Day three of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week, organized by the Yacht Club Capri in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, brought unpredictable conditions with the fifty-one strong fleet waiting most of the day for the 5 to 6 knot breeze to pick up, only to see a north easterly wind of approximately 20 knots, with gusts of up to 24 knots, arrive in the late afternoon. Once again the Race Committee set a windward-leeward course of approximately 8 nautical miles for the Farr 40 and Swan 45 divisions while the Mini Maxi and Comet divisions sailed approximately 14 nautical miles around the buoys. Today's strong winds proved challenging for the One-Design fleets in particular and victory is not assured for any of the competitors in the four participating divisions as they head into tomorrow's final day of racing. The Farr 40 fleet saw Helmut Jan's Flash Gordon (USA) take first place after a string of erratic results over the previous five races. Massimo Mezzaroma's Nerone (ITA) added another second place.
The fourth and final day of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week saw the competing fleet set out accompanied by bright sunshine and a 5 to 6 knot breeze from approximately 250°, increasing to 10 knots. The Race Committee set a windward-leeward course of approximately 8 nautical miles for the Farr 40 and Swan 45 divisions, while the Mini Maxi and Comet divisions also sailed approximately 8 nautical miles around the marks positioned in the Gulf of Naples.
In the Farr 40 fleet Jim Richardson's Barking Mad (USA), overall leader since Day Two, won the series by a clear margin over Massimo Stefano Leporati's Kismet (ITA) and Massimo Mezzaroma's Nerone (ITA). The sixteen competing boats completed one windward-leeward race today, bringing them to a total of seven races for the event.
The final outcome of the series for the Swan 45 division was decided in today's race with Carlo Perrone's Atlantica Racing (ITA) building on yesterday's fine lead to take overall victory. Dick Weismann's Vixen (USA) took second place while Paolo Scerni's Kora 3 (ITA) came in third. This division had everything to play for as the top three competitors were separated by just one point going into last day's race.
Overall victory in the Min Maxi division went to Massimo Violati's Ops 5 (ITA) over Carlo Puri Negri's Atalanta II (ITA) and Antonello Morino's Sei Tu 2 respectively. Maurizio Biscardi's Libertine claimed first place in the Comet division over last year's winner Nur, owned by Guido Morisco. Alberto Franchella's Aria TX Active, with a crew composed of members of the Italian Airforce, took third.
At the closing Prize Giving Ceremony, held in Marina Grande, the winners of each division were awarded with Rolex Trophies and a Rolex Submariner Timepiece. The Giorgio Natale Special Trophy for the best classified YCC or YCCS member was awarded to Massimo Violati.
