As three more yachts crossed the finish line of the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2007 to rapturous applause, the big news is that George David’s Rambler (USA) has added overall winner on handicap to the line honours trophy and course record secured yesterday while the sad news is that Loki’s anchor failed to hold and she was blown onto the rocky shoreline.

The overall winner, handicap winner and course record treble was last achieved in 2000 by Zephyrus IV, whose fastest time has been so emphatically crushed by Rambler.

While some celebrate well deserved victories, it has been confirmed that the Australian crew of the R/P 60 Loki, which is owned by CYCA member Stephen Ainsworth and was being campaigned in Europe over the summer, was unable to recover the yacht before her anchor gave up the battle and she was blown onto the rocky shoreline of Golfo di Castellammare.

Whether or not she is now recoverable at all has yet to be ascertained. Even though the wind conditions have moderated, the shore continues to be battered by surf driven by the strong winds of the past 48-hours. – KPMS

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