Around 20,000 sailors in one regatta: this makes the annual Barcolana one of the largest regattas in the world. At the 38th edition, the New Zealand maxi "Alfa Romeo" secured its third victory.
In 2003, 2004 and now also in 2006, the 30 metre long "Alfa Romeo" with New Zealander Neville Crichton at the helm was able to secure victory in this regatta. This time it was even a start-to-finish victory. After just 350 metres, the "Alfa Romeo" managed to overtake its toughest opponent, the Italian "Maximus-Aikè", which was also 30 metres (98 feet) long. Despite an interim lull, in which the "Alfa Romeo" bobbed along at only two knots and the opponents caught up again, Crichton defended the lead right to the finish line
"We sailed fantastically and coped well with the different situations of the regatta," said Neville Crichton. "Our race tactics were very precise and we sailed specifically against 'Maximus-Aikè' on the upwind course. At that point the race was tactically in our hands. We showed that our boat was the strongest and our team the best prepared in both strong winds and calm conditions."
Co-favourite "Maximus-Aikè" even had to give way to the 84-foot-long "Maxi Jena", which was newly built in Slovenia.
Another remarkable individual result was that of three-time Americ's Cup winner Russell Coutts. With his RC44 "Magia", only 44 feet long, he finished 17th overall and won his length group.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
