The 30-meter Esimit Europa 2, sailing under the European flag and sponsored by Gazprom, has won the 2011 Rolex Middle Sea Race, covering the 606-nautical miles long race in 61 hours 24 minutes.
Igor Simcic’s supermaxi crossed the finish line in Marsamxett Harbour in Malta where, at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, owner and project manager Igor Simcic was presented with a Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece by Malcolm Lowell Jr. from Edwards’ Lowell, as well as the R.L.R. Line Honours Trophy by Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore, Georges Bonello DuPuis.
Simcic said:
“We have a second amazing season behind us and we have achieved all of the goals we set out for ourselves. I owe a great debt of thanks to my skipper Jochen Schümann and the rest of exceptional crew members, who showed amazing skills in every single regatta. I would also like to thank Mr. José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, our main sponsor Gazprom, European governments, friends and endorsers, who share our vision of uniting all Europeans through one amazing sailing project.”
Jochen Schümann added:
“The Rolex Middle Sea Race proved once again to be a difficult race with lots of unpredictable situations, tricky winds, thunderstorms and constant sail changes. We are completely exhausted, but very pleased with the result. It is a pleasure to sail with such a professional team, completely devoted to the same goal. Despite we are coming from many different countries, there is a great synergy and friendship among us, therefore I am looking forward to the challenges in the next season”.
More about the Esimit Europa Project here.
