For the first time since 2019, Saint-Tropez regained its prominence on the Rolex Giraglia programme. The historic French port was the scene of three magnificent days of coastal events and hosted the start of the long-distance regatta that gives its name to this regatta, created in 1953 and associated with Rolex since 1998.
A fleet of 140 boats crossed the starting line of this 69th edition to start a route that will take them to the emblematic Giraglia rock, located one nautical mile (2 km) from the extreme north of Corsica and which is a symbol not only of the regatta, but of the sailing competition in the Mediterranean. After surrounding the rock, the fleet contests the always decisive stage to the finish line in front of the Yacht Club Italiano base in Genoa. The forecast indicates that the light breeze that made it difficult for the boats to advance at the start will demand their quota of leading role throughout the regatta, forcing the Race Committee to shorten the usual course of 241 nautical miles (446 km).
Instead of contesting the short stretch from Saint-Tropez to the well-known La Fourmigue beacon, the fleet will take a direct course towards the Giraglia rock.
A look at the entry list suggests that the battle for the coveted real-time win will include three 100-foot (30.48m) behemoths who already know what it’s like to win the Rolex Giraglia: the Magic Carpet Cubed Wallycentos (winner 2013 and 2016) and Tango (2018), and the maxi Arca SGR, which defends the title won in 2021. The fight for absolute victory is more open, the one that obtains the boat with the best result in compensated time and in which literally enter all the ships of the fleet. The special weather conditions of this edition anticipate a real challenge for the crews in their advance towards the finish line. The awards ceremony for the 69th Rolex Giraglia will be held at the Yacht Club Italiano next Saturday, June 18.
