The European crew, Esimit Sailing Team, crossed the finish line in Valletta on Wednesday, 17th October at 6:42 PM CEST, setting the benchmark time for the Trieste-Valletta passage record, under the ratification process by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. The crew faced 68 hours and 42 minutes of sailing in difficult weather conditions, varying from fairly light to very strong winds up to 40 knots. Following competing in the Barcolana regatta and before taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the new record was the second big test within the past 6 days.
Superyacht Esimit Europa 2 - Photo by Carlo Borlenghi
On 14th October at 10:00 PM CEST, the Esimit Sailing Team started their next tough challenge. They got on the way immediately after winning the 44th edition of the Barcolana. The crew crossed the finish line in Valletta’s Marsamxett Harbour at 6:42 PM CEST on Wednesday, 17th October.
“Especially in the Adriatic Sea, we passed at least seven different systems with 7 to 40 knots of upwind that made the passage quite difficult for us. At the end, it was an enjoyable journey, but very hard in between, resulting in a good record time, but of course, we are aiming to improve our own benchmark next year, as well. At the same time we would like to encourage yachts, which already participate at the Barcolana and the Rolex Middle Sea Race, to also take on the challenge,” said Esimit Europa 2 yacht’s skipper Jochen Schümann, after the arrival in Valletta.
When leaving the Gulf of Trieste, the route chosen by the world acknowledged Spanish navigator Juan Vila, led Esimit Europa 2 along the Croatian shore for quite some time before going to the Italian shore. “Upwind conditions accompanied us on the way when starting in the Adriatic, and we’ve initially chosen to sail closer to the Croatian shore, before finally switching to the Italian shore. Once around Italy, there is more open water, but we still had to be very careful because of the high mountains around Calabria and Sicily, to position ourselves in the best pressure zone,” explained Esimit Europa 2 yacht’s navigator Juan Vila.
By completing the Trieste-Valletta passage in 68 hours, 42 minutes and 24 seconds, luxury yacht Esimit Europa 2 established the benchmark for further monohulls attempting to beat the time.
Medot Sailing Trophy, under the patronage of Dr. Tonio Borg
For monohulls, breaking the benchmark time in the period between the Barcolana and the Rolex Middle Sea Race, a very special trophy has been created. The Medot Sailing Trophy, which is under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Dr. Tonio Borg. The trophy will be presented during the official prize giving of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. This new sailing challenge is not only joining the cities of Trieste and Valletta, but also the two yacht clubs (Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano and Royal Malta Yacht Club), and furthermore the Barcolana regatta and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
