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The overall standings see Alfa Romeo in the top position, followed by Magic Carpet Squared in second and Wild Oats XI in third. In the IMS Class Group A, Edimetra VI came first overall, followed by Atalanta II and Nikimar who took second and third overall respectively. Group B saw Calima take first overall, followed by Citta' Di Genova in second and Lima Golf 3 in third.

Alfa Romeo Lead The Way

Tuesday was the last day of the 2007 Giraglia Rolex Cup inshore races in Saint Tropez and tensions were high as the leaders of each class set out on the water. The start for the IRC class and the IMS Class Group A was at 11:15 due to favourable weather conditions early in the day. As the Maxi's rapidly left the bay, Alfa Romeo was at the head of the group, leading the fleet into the 30-mile course along the coast which was later shortened due to a complete lack of wind. This lead never faltered, as Alfa Romeo was also the first of the IRC class to return to St Tropez.

'The best moment of the day was getting the gun at the end of the race,' said Alfa Romeo's owner Neville CRICHTON (NZL). 'We had a good race today with a good start. That made the difference as we made our way around the course and we had about a 4.5 stand at every mark.' Wild Oats and Magic Carpet trailed behind at a long distance. 'Well I think they were about 12 minutes behind,' commented CRICHTON. 'We broke free on the finish line. We are now going to race the Giraglia. We're going straight to Genoa and then we'll turn around and sail to Palma.'

Aboard Magic Carpet Squared, Maud FONTENOY (FRA) was able to experience the difference between a long regatta and a short course, working perfectly with the crew on board to finish with an overall second. With a position in second, third, and second in the three respective inshore races, Lindsay Owen JONES (GBR) should be satisfied with the week's results and his Magic Carpet Squared is a favourite candidate for the offshore Giraglia Race set to start on Wednesday.

Tuesday's races saw the first part of this weeklong regatta come to a close as the focus now shifts towards the second part of the Giraglia Rolex Cup. Today will see the start of the offshore race that is known as the 'The Fastnet of the Mediterranean', a race that is well into her 55th year and that is one of the most popular regattas in Southern Europe. The Giraglia Race is a famous 243-mile course that takes the boats from the Gulf of St Tropez, southwest along the French coast, around the island of Levant, across the Ligurian Sea and to the Giraglia Rock just North of Corsica before finishing in front of the Italian Port of Genoa. The Giraglia Rock is one of yacht racing's most famous landmarks, lending her name and serving as the turn mark for this now classic regatta.

Prizes

At the end of the offshore race trophies and prizes are will be awarded to the top three yachts in each class based on corrected time. The first boat to round the Giraglia Rock will be awarded the Beppe Croce Trophy, the Rolex Trophy and the Rene Levainville Trophy are awarded to the yacht that wins line honours, and the Giraglia Rolex Cup will be awarded to the boat with the best corrected time overall for the long race.

The weather forecasts remain as varied and as unpredictable as ever, with very light breezes of 4-6 knots forecasted for today from east southeasterly directions in the morning that shift to southwesterly winds in the afternoon. One never knows what the weather will do for the Giraglia Race but the start is tentatively scheduled for 12:00.

Whatever the weather conditions may bring, participants will gather tonight at La Citadelle on the hill overlooking St.Tropez for the prizegiving and gala dinner. Prizes are to be awarded to the best-placed yachts from the past three days of inshore racing.

Aside from most of the yachts that have competed in the inshore racing this week, a number of new arrivals have joined the fleet for the Giraglia Race, bring total entries to 182 at the time of going to press.