Giraglia Rolex Cup
Encyclopedia
The Giraglia Rolex Cup is a Mediterranean keelboat
regatta
, named after the island of Giraglia
, which has been held annually since 1953. It is organized by the Yacht Club Italiano
, with the help of the Yacht Club de France
and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Since 1997, in which year the current name was adopted, the race has been supported by the Rolex
luxury wristwatch company.
The regatta consists of a week-long set of races, beginning with inshore races in the St. Tropez Bay followed by the primary event which begins in St. Tropez, France
, passes through the Îles d'Hyères
near the island of Giraglia, and then finishes off in Genoa
, Italy
, a total distance of 243 nautical miles (450 km).
The distance has been a constant in the race although the starting and ending points have been adjusted over time. Originally the course was from San Remo
, Italy, past Giraglia to Toulon
, France.
Keelboat
Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of boats: one a riverine cargo-capable working boat, and the other a classification for small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yachts.-Historical keel-boats:...
regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
, named after the island of Giraglia
Giraglia
Giraglia is a French island at the northern tip of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its lighthouse and for the Torra di Giraglia, a Genoese tower which is an Official Historical Monuments of France....
, which has been held annually since 1953. It is organized by the Yacht Club Italiano
Yacht Club Italiano
The Yacht Club Italiano is a yacht club in Genoa, Italy. It was founded in 1879 and is one of the oldest sailing clubs in the Mediterranean. This club was bestowed Royal Patronage by HRH King Umberto I of Italy since its inception....
, with the help of the Yacht Club de France
Yacht Club de France
The Yacht Club de France is one of the most important yacht clubs in France. It was established in 1867, during the Second French Empire. This club was bestowed Royal Patronage by HRH Emperor Napoleon III and its first president was Admiral Rigault de Genouilly.In 1891, a new club was founded, the...
and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Since 1997, in which year the current name was adopted, the race has been supported by the Rolex
Rolex
Rolex SA is a Swiss watchmaking manufacturer of high-quality, luxury wristwatches. Rolex watches are popularly regarded as status symbols and BusinessWeek magazine ranks Rolex No.71 on its 2007 annual list of the 100 most valuable global brands...
luxury wristwatch company.
The regatta consists of a week-long set of races, beginning with inshore races in the St. Tropez Bay followed by the primary event which begins in St. Tropez, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, passes through the Îles d'Hyères
Îles d'Hyères
The Îles d'Hyères is a group of three islands off Hyères in the Var département, in the south-east of France. The three mediterranean islands are named Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Île du Levant. Together, they make up an area of .-See also:...
near the island of Giraglia, and then finishes off in Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, a total distance of 243 nautical miles (450 km).
The distance has been a constant in the race although the starting and ending points have been adjusted over time. Originally the course was from San Remo
Sanremo
Sanremo or San Remo is a city with about 57,000 inhabitants on the Mediterranean coast of western Liguria in north-western Italy. Founded in Roman times, the city is best known as a tourist destination on the Italian Riviera. It hosts numerous cultural events, such as the Sanremo Music Festival...
, Italy, past Giraglia to Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
, France.
Race results
- 2001 Idea beat My Song with 110 entrants
- 2003 Alfa Romeo I (a Supermaxi) Neville Crichton (NZ) won with 170 entrants
- 2006 Alfa Romeo II (a Supermaxi) Neville Crichton (NZ) won in 27 hrs 48 min 12 sec
- 2007 Alfa Romeo II, Neville Crichton (NZ), won again, in 22 hrs 45 min