The 159 Giraglia Rolex Cup Race participants left for Genoa today at 13.00, with a south-easterly wind of two knots. The energy at the starting line was electric and there were a few collisions although the race committee did not call back the boats. With three different starts, the race committee had a difficult time pushing back the numerous spectator boats who wanted to be as close to the action as possible. The spectators along the shoreline were in the best position to catch the first tacks and jibes of the race. Even though they left St. Tropez last, the Maxis and the Super-Maxis quickly caught up to Groups A and B of the IMS Class. After only a couple of minutes on the course, Alfa Romeo took the lead and seemed to fly on her way to Genoa. Wild Oats did not participate in the offshore race so that they could be sure to arrive in Palma de Mallorca on Saturday for the start of the Super Yacht Cup, leaving Neville Crichton to concentrate on breaking the current Giraglia record. Alfa Romeo holds the current race record, set in 2003, of 22h 13mn and 48s. In the next few hours, the winds must favour the long strides of the giant New Zealand boat in order for her to keep her current pace until the finish. Alfa Romeo must cross the finish line tomorrow morning, Thursday to break her four-year old current record, but only the weather decides if she will make it. The teams are well on their way now and will spend their first night in calm conditions, navigating with winds between 15 and 5 knots.
