Storms passing over the Aeolian Islands today caused the start of Rolex Volcano Race to be postponed until 18:00 CEST. With strong mistral wind in Capri, the race committee confirmed the delay of today’s start of the offshore race taking place in the Mediterranean.
The diverse team on board Swan 60, Bronenosec at the Rolex Volcano Race (c) TonyCosta.it
In its 2nd edition, the Rolex Volcano Race continues to draw a truly international cast of boats and crews. None are a more diverse mix of crew than Swan 60, sailing yacht Bronenosec entered by Saint-Petersburg Yacht Club. For many of the seven Russians on board their background is racing Dragon’s and this week’s racing has provided their first experience of offshore racing. Although in safe hands with the likes of former America’s Cup sailor, Tommaso Chieffi leading the team, it has still been a steep learning curve for the Russians as Vonogov Kirill, Chief Executive at Saint-Petersburg Yacht Club explains:
“My first experience of offshore racing on Bronenosec, I quickly realised that it is a ‘24 hour’ job. Even when I am resting I still have to be alert to a situation that may require my help so you can never fully relax. Big boat sailing also tends to take place in a more adverse environment, further from the shore and in deeper tidal water which offers huge thrills. This is only the second event on Bronenosec’s 2012 campaign so the team are also still learning how each other work but we are starting to understand much better and for me it is very exciting being part of a big team for the first time.”
The Rolex Volcano Race can be a gruelling and compelling competition with yachts facing at least one night at sea and ever-changing weather conditions. Today’s strong winds are a poignant reminder of this. Preparation for an offshore race like the Rolex Volcano Race requires long hours and strategic thinking, particularly for the navigators, who carry out detailed planning and forensic studying of meteorological charts ahead of the event. Francesco Mongelli, navigator on board Gazprom sponsored Bronenosec, is focused on the challenge and for a fully-charged race:
“It is going to be an interesting race for sure. We are going to have a pretty unusual sea state for what is the norm in the Mediterranean with a strong wind offshore that is not completely coming in so it will be a rough ride with a lot of waves. We are expecting to reach down to the island of Stromboli and reach upwind on the return as the wind drops. If we have the same wind as forecast it should be a thirty hour race otherwise 40 hours.”
