A race between Saint-Tropez and Genoa
The Rolex Giraglia is a crewed race organized by the Yacht-Club Italiano, the Yacht-Club de France and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez. Over the years, it has established itself as one of the biggest offshore races in the Mediterranean, attracting over 200 boats of around 10 different nationalities to each edition. The 241-mile race runs from Saint-Tropez to Genoa, via the island of Giraglia at the northern tip of Corsica.
Bringing France and Italy back together after the war
The race was born one evening in December 1952 in a Parisian bistro during a dinner attended by Beppe Croce, president of the Yacht Club Italiano, René Levainville, president of the Yacht Club de France, and Franco Gavagnin. The idea was to create a sailing yacht race between Saint-Tropez and Genoa, to reunite Italy and France after the Second World War.
Name change, new features and new organization
For the first edition on July 11, 1953, 22 boats set off in a strong Mistral wind. In 1974, the first participation record was set with 132 boats. In 1997, with the arrival of a major sponsor, the event changed its name to the Rolex Giraglia Cup. In 1998, the Yacht-Club de France inaugurated a new feature with the Yacht-Club de Saint-Tropez: a three-day coastal regatta in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Crew Party organized the evening before the start of the offshore race. The event was taken over by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez in 2002. It was once again a record year, with 162 boats taking part in the event, which now welcomed 50-foot monohulls and IMOCAs alongside the prestige yachts and 30-meter Maxis that had made its reputation. In 2005, the race welcomed multihulls for the first time.
as of 2018, the regatta changes its name once again to become the current Rolex Giraglia.
One of the most famous races in the Mediterranean
Today, the race has become one of the most important in top-level Mediterranean sailing, alongside the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, bringing together modern and classic yachts, and the Middle Sea Race.
A race format combining inshore and offshore racing
The race format has remained largely unchanged since the traditional start and finish alternating between Italy and France was abandoned in the 90s. A rally race links San Remo to Saint-Tropez, starting at midnight on Friday evening and finishing on Saturday morning. For three days, participants take part in 35-mile regattas in the bay. Finally, a 241-mile offshore race links Saint-Tropez to Genoa, rounding the Giraglia islet to the north of Corsica. to date, the record dates back to 2012, with a race time of 14 h 56 m16 s set by the crew of the European boat Esimit Europa 2.
Tacking the Giraglia lighthouse
During the Corsican tack, competitors pass in front of the Giraglia lighthouse, which has been a listed monument since 2011 and gives its name to the race. Built in 1839, it stands on the site of an ancient Genoese tower. Lit for the first time on January 1, 1948, it marks the extreme tip of Cape Corsica. Today, it is automated and remotely controlled from Bastia, and features a 5-second flashing light.
