Slovenia’s Esimit Europa 2 takes line honours win at 2011 Rolex Middle Sea Race, Marsamxett Harbour
Slovenian maxi, Esimit Europa 2 crossed the finish line first completing the course in an elapsed time of 61 hours, 24 minutes and 35 seconds to claim the line honours win at Marsamxett Harbour in Valetta, Malta. The Slovenian maxi has gained a strong position
in the 2011 Rolex Middle Sea Race, which is organised and hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Slovenia’s Esimit Europa 2 also won the line honours in 2010, with an elapsed time of 54 hours, 52 minutes, 32 seconds. The 100-footer maxi owned by Igor Simcic and skippered by Jochen Schumann has added another achievement to their list of line honours
wins this season, which includes the Giraglia Rolex Cup.
The Slovenian maxi sailed impressively with a 20-man crew on board, including skipper, Jochen Schuemann and navigator, Juan Vila. Both sailors are competing in their first Rolex Middle Sea Race, however, they have raced together previously in the Alinghi
2007 America’s Cup team.
Speaking to media at the conclusion of the race, Schumann said, “The start was interesting, a squall came through, so there was more breeze than expected. It was good speed from the beginning. If we were to take a little more risk, we should have play more
our side, because it proved later to be the best way. We played a little bit maybe too safe, but on a long race you have tactics and you look for your direct opponents.”
Juan Vila added, “It’s one race I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a different kind of distance race; I was a bit nervous because everyone told me how difficult it was getting around Sicily – there are many high points where you have to be very careful.”
The overall leaderboard so far is given below:
1. ESIMIT EUROPA 2: SLO 1001, Maxi Racer, Jochen Schumann, Slovenia
2. RAN: GBR7236R, JV 72, Niklas Zennstrom, United Kingdom
3. ALEGRE: GBR6880R, Mills 68, Andres Soriano, United Kingdom
4. MED SPIRIT: FRA 1575, Prototype, Laurent Pellecuer & Oscar Kouyukhov, France
5. E1: AUT 1876, VO 70, Ägyd Pengg, Austria
6. WILD JOE: HUN 7002, REICHEL/PUGH CUSTOM 60, Marton Jozsa, Hungary
7. BERENICE BIS: ITA18989, Swan 80, Marco Rodolfi, Italy
8. NIKATA: GBR8200R, Swan 82 s, Matt Hardy, United Kingdom
9. CANTANKEROUS: ITA 16133, Cookson 50, Italy
10. DRALION: MLT5301, KER53 cruiser racer, Pit Finis, Malta
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