2013 Rolex Middle Sea Race - Day 6

Simply Beautiful

87 yachts have now finished the Rolex Middle Sea Race, a significant number of yachts finished the 606-mile offshore Mediterranean classic yesterday evening and into this morning, including the winner of the 12-strong Double Handed fleet.

Massimo Juris' 40.7, Blucolombre has won the IRC Double Handed Class racing with Pietro Luciani. The Italian duo from Venice finished in the early hours of this morning. "When I entered Blucolombre for the race, it was to have a full crew. I saw that there were so many yachts racing in the Double Handed class and that is my preference, so we decided to join in. This is only my third race with Pietro and also the longest but it has been a great race, the scenery is very memorable. The simple landscape of beautiful islands silhouetted against the sky, really echoes the beauty of racing Two Handed; it is a simple life for a few days, where the phone doesn't ring and you can just concentrate on sailing. It is tiring and Pietro and I didn't really keep a watch system, when we needed each other we would just bang on the deck and that was enough."

Marco Rodolfi's Class 40, TWT UComm crossed the finish line after 4 days at sea to take Line Honours for the IRC Double Handed Class. His crew was Matteo Auguadro, one of Italy's best young sailors having competed with Mascalzone Latino in the America's Cup and as bowman with Niklas Zennstrom's Ran. Marco Rodolfi often races fully crewed with his elegant and comfortable Swan 80, Berenice.

"It is the third time I have competed in the Rolex Middle Sea Race but that was a new experience and a new challenge," smiled Marco after finishing the race. "I love to sail my Swan and the food is a lot better on board but racing double handed in a Class 40 brings many personal challenges and develops my sailing. The discipline is tough but very educational, you learn so much in a short period of time racing with just one other person on board. Matteo is a brilliant sailor but that is not enough when there are just two crew, there needs to be a balance of personality and we have that, which is so important. Matteo and I have a great working relationship, without that you cannot succeed double handed."

The winner of the 51 strong ORC Class has now been confirmed as Swan 60 Emma. The elegant performance cruiser crossed the finish line at sunset on the 22nd October. The Swan 60 Emma was launched in August 2009 by German, Dr. Johann Killinger. A first time boat owner, the Hamburg businessman has campaigned on the Mediterranean Circuit after winning the Baltic Sea Race.

To track the fleet and follow blogs from the boats, including photos and reports, go to www.rolexmiddlesearace.com