YELLOW Who lapped the Giraglia first?

UPDATE – There are two winners of the BMW prize, awarded to the first Italian boat to round the Giraglia. Pendragon and Atalanta II: initially the award had been given exclusively to Carlo Puri Negri’s Atalanta, but following a letter from Pendragon’s owner Nicola Paoleschi came a correction from Commander Cairo (which we publish below). Further below is Paoleschi’s letter and the incipit of Atalanta II’s statement.

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
“Dear Doctor ,
apologizing for the delay in replying due to my Computer not working ….
Examined the situation that , as you pointed out the “boat” is “all” Italian , talked with the President , will also be recognized to Pendragon the BMW award , by the way not provided for in the Announcement, without distorting anything.
It is clear that the U.S. number misled those who were providing the list of awardees and for this we apologize. The Secretary Eliana (and not Ilaria) , whom I questioned says , that she spoke with Com.te Francesco on Friday 17 , but that she did not specify who went first to the Giraglia , also because the list of awardees was made on the morning of 18 …. Apologizing again for what happened , also take into consideration the great success of the Regatta with a Record number of participants and therefore the difficulties of those who were in charge of the rankings. I remain available for further clarification, wishing to see you next year among the protagonists of the 65th edition!
Sincerely, Antonio Cairo”

HERE IS WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND PAOLESCHI’S LETTER

There are so many stories from this memorable edition of the Giraglia Rolex Cup: many can be found at the bottom of this article. We want to close the “Giraglia dossier” with an affair that leaves room for a question (which we feel like asking the event’s CoR): “What was the first Italian boat to round the Giraglia?” The BMW prize, reserved for the first Italian boat to round the Giraglia rock, was awarded to Carlo Puri Negri’s Atalanta II.

But immediately after the award ceremony, Nicola Paoleschi, owner of the Davidson 70 Pendragon, wrote to the organization (copying us as well):

LETTER FROM THE OWNER OF PENDRAGON
“Dear Commander Cairo, I would like to inform you that it was Pendragon that was the first Italian boat to pass the Giraglia when it was fifth in real, behind Magic Carpet, Jethou, SFS, L4. Although I had been informed yesterday by your collaborator Ilaria of the award given to us, I saw with some amazement that the award was given this morning to Atalanta (by coincidence belonging to your Yacht Club Italiano club) who passed by the Giraglia a few hours after us. Pendragon made formal registration specifying ITALIAN nationality and membership in the CLUB NAUTICO VERSILIA, it may be that the previous sail number, U.S. 7744, that we left on the mainsail created confusion. Pendragon still won the Isolotti regatta organized by YOU 20 days ago and the 151-mile race a few days ago, and I didn’t think it could be so mysterious in your eyes. Hoping for your prompt rectification I send my best regards and thank you again for the organization and hospitality“.

In order to see more clearly, we asked Nicola Paoleschi to send us the screenshot of the data entered on the registration form, which you can see here on the side and which, indeed, shows without any doubt the nationality and the club with which the owner registered. We have obviously removed Paoleschi’s address, email and cell phone.

ATALANTA CONSIDERS ITSELF FIRST ITALIAN BOAT
Meanwhile, a very short time later came the communiqué from Atalanta II, which began with a“At the Giraglia Rolex Cup Atalanta II was the first Italian boat to round the Giraglia rock.”. Who is right in your opinion?

READ MORE – GIRAGLIA DOSSIER

SENSATIONAL: I LOST THE GIRAGLIA TO SAVE A BOAT


WHAT HAPPENED TO THE “GALE JUGGERNAUT”

ALL THE GIRAGLIA WINNERS
TALES AND STORIES LIVE FROM THE GALE JUGGERNAUT
GALLERY – SAVE! HOURS OF PANIC AT THE GIRAGLIA
THAT BURRASCA! THE TALE FROM ABOARD GIANIN VI