morphs into a week or more in the ambient
surrounds of the old port and its nearby beach
clubs, where clothing is definitely optional.
About 50 smaller yachts only compete
in this section, leaving 243 starters in the
2019 Rolex Giraglia offshore race, which
always includes Giraglia Rock, but could
finish anywhere along the Italian and French
Rivieras.
In recent years it has been Genoa – Yacht
Club Italiano is one of the organisers – but
some frustrating light airs finishes have seen
a switch to Monaco for the second time in the
Giraglia’s history.
George David’s American maxi Rambler,
on her first appearance, claimed line honours,
in a little over an hour outside the race record,
which was set in 2012 by Esimit Europa 2
in 14 hours 56 minutes. Until this year, no
yacht had come within nine hours of the time,
auguring well for the resumed Monaco route,
but clearly times actually depend on where
the race finishes.
The tussle at the top had been between the
88ft Rambler and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’
Magic Carpet Cubed, a 30.5m or 100ft Wally
Centro that lost out in the beat, then almost
close reach, to Monaco.
Overall victory on corrected time, the most
coveted prize, went to Alex Schaerer’s Maxi
72 Caol Ila R.
Rambler leads on the long leg to Giraglia Rock, and below, smaller yachts set off from Saint-TropezRacing off Saint-Tropez’s old port is a picture postcard affair.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is another famous event that takes place here in September