The 69 edition of the Rolex Giraglia will be remembered by complicated light breezes conditions that demanded the maximum ability of the 141 participating crews to move towards the finish line... The Ker 46 Lisa R was declared absolute winner in an edition that again showed that, in the classic of the height of the Mediterranean, the advantage in performance of the most powerful and professional ships are not enough to impose on the ability and work in team of amateur crews

After two years of program shortened by the effect of the global pandemic, the Rolex Giraglia 2022 recovered Saint-Tropez as the venue of the three-day coastal series and as the starting point of the main event, the historic ocean race that gives name to the event. An imposing fleet of 141 ships left the beautiful port of the French Blue Coast on Wednesday, June 15, towards the Italian city of Genoa. Once again, Rolex Giraglia fulfilled the commitment to join France and Italy with which it was founded in 1953.

Before the departure, the forecast of loose winds led the Regatas Committee to shorten by about 35 nautical miles (about 65 km) the usual 241-mile route... a decision that would allow most of the fleet to have more opportunities to finish the race before the deadline of Saturday morning. In the spirit that has always defined the Rolex Giraglia, professional and amateur crews demonstrated their ability to meet the challenge. 105 ships were going to complete the tour in time.

The final victory was the Ker 46 Lisa R of Giovanni di Vincenzo, the first Italian shipowner to win the race since 2008... was the triumph of a non-professional crew that accumulates about 15 years of sailing, evolving and improving together, testimony of the enormous power of teamwork that was recognized by all its rivals in the award-giving held at the headquarters of the Italian Yacht Club in Genoa.

2022-06-17: Rolex Giraglia... Magic Carpet Cubed is imposed in real time

The moment Magic Carpet Cubed crossed the finish line, most of the 141 ships that took the exit on Wednesday were approaching the Giraglia, the legendary natural-pass beacon located about 83 nautical miles (154 km) from Genoa... the battle for absolute victory in compensated time remains fully open

After an epic battle of colossus in difficult wind conditions, the Magic Carpet Cubed scored its third real-time victory at Rolex Giraglia after overcoming the SGR Ark in the final approach to Genoa.

The Wallycento of Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones crossed the finish line in Genoa at 22: 07h on Thursday, June 16, stopping the horn in 34 hours, 7 minutes and 17 seconds.

A brand far away from the just under 15 hours of the record set by Esimit Europa 2 in 2012, but enough for Magic Carpet Cubed to secure its third real-time victory in the Mediterranean's classic height, which it already won in 2013 and 2016.

The 100-foot British gestures were not without drama. The test was led during most of the tour by the Italian maxi ARCA SGR Furio Benussi, which a few miles from the goal seemed to be a favorite to defend the title achieved in 2021.

But in the ever-decisive stretch of final approach to Genoa, the experienced crew of the Magic Carpet Cubed bet to approach the coast and found enough breeze to reach and overcome its rival. The final difference between the two was 26 minutes.

2022-06-15: Rolex Giraglia... the fleet part of Saint- Tropez heading to Genoa

The award of the 69th Rolex Giraglia will be held at the Italian Yacht Club next Saturday

The Rolex Giraglia 2022 is under way. An impressive fleet of 140 ships took the exit of the classic long distance Mediterranean in Saint- Tropez heading to Genoa on a route that has had to be shortened by the forecast of light winds.

For the first time since 2019, Saint-Tropez regained its leading role in the Rolex Giraglia program. The historic French port was the stage of three magnificent days of coastal testing and hosted the departure of the long-distance race that gives name to this race created in 1953 and which has been associated with Rolex since 1998.

A fleet of 140 ships crossed the starting line of this 69th edition to start a tour that will take you to the emblematic rock of Giraglia, located a nautical mile from the north end of Corsica and which is a symbol not only of the race, but of the sailing competition in the Mediterranean. After surrounding the rock, the fleet disputes the always decisive stage to the finish line in front of the base of the Yacht Club Italiano, in Genoa.

The forecast indicates that the slight breeze that made it difficult to advance the ships at the exit will demand their share of starring throughout the race, which forced the Regatas Committee to shorten the usual journey of 241 nautical miles. Instead of disputing the short stretch from Saint-Tropez to the well-known beacon of La Fourmigue, the fleet will take a direct course towards the rock of Giraglia.

A look at the list of enlisted suggests that the battle for the coveted victory in real time will include three 100-foot colossus that already know what it is to win the Rolex Giraglia: the Wallycentos Magic Carpet Cubed (winner in 2013 and 2016) and Tango (2018), and the maxi Arca SGR, which defends the title obtained in 2021.

2022-06-08: 69 Rolex Giraglia... or the high candle of glamour in its pure state

With its 42 meters long and more than a century old, the Mariette of 1915 will set the double record of the largest and most veteran ship in the rich history of a race that preserves the best sailing traditions

From 11 to 18 June it will celebrate the 69 Rolex Giraglia, recovering the format it had to leave in the last two years because of the pandemic, which combines a series of intense coastal races in the Bay of Saint- Tropez with the legendary height test up to the legendary islet of the Giraglia.

Founded in 1953 to help bring together the French and Italian nautical communities after World War II, Rolex Giraglia has preserved a marked French-Italian spirit while attracting an international fleet that this year will make up about 150 ships from 20 countries.

The event is organized by the Yacht Club Italiano and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, two faithful Rolex partners committed to maintaining the spirit and attractiveness of this historic competition... as the main sponsor since 1998, Rolex has always appreciated the continuity and tradition that its organizers preserve and share its participants... the Swiss watchmaker is 25 years old in relation to this unique event.

After an arrival race from Sanremo, the popular three-day Rolex Giraglia coastal series focuses on Saint- Tropez, in the heart of the French Blue Coast.

The main event is the 241 nautical-mile high race from Saint-Tropez to Genoa... after turning the Giraglia, located one mile from the north end of Corsica.