Alfa Romeo eyeing third victory

Alfa Romeo maxi yacht has set its sights on another line honours victory in this year's Rolex Middle Sea Race, the last great event in this year's offshore yacht-racing season.

A statement from the New Zealand syndicate said Alfa Romeo recently won its third Barcolana Regatta and is looking to record a third victory also in Malta, so becoming the only boat to claim three line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race, along with the legendary Enrico Recchi's Benbow that dominated the 70s.

In order to do this, Alfa Romeo will have to race against more than 70 competitors and, above all, against 30-metre Maximus which, after its third place at Barcolana, will surely aim for the top podium place.

The showdown will also feature an enticing duel between Alfa Romeo skipper Neville Crichton and Maximus's Paul Cayard.

"Alfa Romeo hopes to find fair winds in order to be able to show its potential," the statement said. "With a 40-metre mast and more than 1,000 square metres of sails, Alfa Romeo can speed up to more than 30 knots and beat the present race record of 64 hours, 49 minutes and 57 seconds, set by Zephyrus IV in 2000."

When Alfa Romeo took part in the 2003 and 2004 MSR editions, winds were strong only at intervals but sometimes even raging. In 2004, the racing fleet was stricken by a gust of wind that caused serious damages to some of the boats.

Alfa Romeo and Crichton have exceeded 100 line honours, an achievement that has no precedent in the maxi yacht category, but this boat, with its top design and technology, can still provide more satisfaction both to its crew and shipowner.

2006 could be the right year to give this technological wonder, as well as to the other yachts taking part in the race which starts tomorrow from the Marsamxett Harbour, the opportunity to shatter the speed record. To achieve this aim, boats must cross the finishing line before the dawn of Tuesday 24, after sailing along the race course Malta, Messina, Stromboli, Egadi, Pantelleria, Lampedusa and then back to Malta.