Rolex Portofino Trophy - Day 1

Orion on day one of the Portofino Rolex Trophy © Carlo Borlenghi / Rolex

Emilia and Bona take race 1

Racing today in Portofino for the premiere edition of the Portofino Rolex Trophy began under dark clouds and light winds. A morning South-easterly breeze, expected to stabilize tomorrow, was lightly rocking the boats in Portofino's tiny inlet harbour as crew members gathered in the Yacht Club Italiano's (YCI) summerhouse for the daily breakfast and weather briefing.

Antonia Cairo, General Manager of the YCI, welcomed everyone to this iconic Italian port village for the invitation-only edition of this classic yacht event. "The Yacht Club Italiano is proud to welcome you here and is happy with the collaboration with Rolex for this regatta," he said. "Thank you for joining us, we hope that for the next edition we will have an even greater participation and more mooring space for you here. In the meantime, I wish you fair winds, good sailing and I hope that you enjoy your time here in the beautiful village of Portofino."

Considered to be one of the most beautiful Mediterranean ports, Portofino is a small fishing village that made an international name for itself when Europe's aristocracy began frequenting the area in the 1920s. Known today for it's many charming colours and the cobblestone Piazzetta on the water's edge, Portofino is a place of elegance, fine Italian dining and fantastic ocean views. It is not for nothing that the Ligurian coastline is a popular yachting destination, and a boat trip along the coast is simply breathtaking in this area that is also a protected natural park (Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino).

The Portofino Rolex Trophy began racing in the waters of the Marconi Gulf today, although only one race was held, Race 2 and Race 3 were cancelled due to lack of wind. Results for Race 1 in the 12-Metre Class saw Emilia take the win followed by Cintra in 2nd. In the 8-Metre Class Bona finished 1st, followed by Elsinore and Helen in 2nd and 3rd position respectively.

Racing continues through Sunday 10 May with a maximum of three races per day.