Esimit Europa 2 Breaks Palermo-Monte Carlo Record and Wins Recognition by the Highest Slovenian and Cypriot Authorities

It was another magnificent victory for Europe this week when Igor Simcic's 100 foot maxi yacht Esimit Europa 2, sponsored by Gazprom, was the first to cross the finish line in Monte Carlo, taking line honours in the Palermo-Monte Carlo regatta. The crew onboard Esimit Europa 2 broke the 500 nautical mile course record by 3 hours 19 minutes.

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Esimit Europa

Aug 24, 2010, 07:06 ET

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- It was another magnificent victory for Europe this week when Igor Simcic's 100 foot maxi yacht Esimit Europa 2, sponsored by Gazprom, was the first to cross the finish line in Monte Carlo, taking line honours in the Palermo-Monte Carlo regatta. The crew onboard Esimit Europa 2 broke the 500 nautical mile course record by 3 hours 19 minutes. At the same time, Esimit Europa project as a symbol of connecting European nations won another recognition with the endorsement of Borut Pahor, Slovenian Prime Minister, and Dr. Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Minister of Communications and Works, who expressed the support on behalf of the Cyprus government.

"The Palermo-Monte Carlo is just the second offshore regatta for Esimit Europa 2 and I am pleased that it is also the second win for the team and a united Europe. This is a new boat and new crew, making a long regatta such as the Palermo-Monte Carlo even more challenging. With three consecutive inshore and two offshore victories I am pleased with the project's progress and honored that its values were endorsed by Borut Pahor, the Prime Minister of Slovenia, and Dr. Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, Minister of Communications and Works," said owner of the yacht and Esimit Europa General Manager, Igor Simcic.

Esimit Europa 2 has a full calendar of regattas in September and October. The next regatta for Esimit Europa 2 is the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia from 5-11 September, followed by the Barcolana and Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Looking ahead to the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, skipper Flavio Favini added: "The competition and type of racing in Porto Cervo will be different from what we have done thus far but we'll be making a few modifications to the boat and our sail inventory and hope to have a good rating. We will also be training in the Costa Smeralda prior to the start of the regatta to fine tune our inshore racing skills as we will be racing on short courses that week."