New Zealand super-maxi, ‘Alfa Romeo’ has won its first race in Europe with skipper/owner Neville Crichton bringing her home first in the opening round of the Hublot PalmaVela Regatta in Spain.

“There could no better way to open our 2006 account,” said Neville Crichton after the race. “Winning both line honours and on corrected time is the cream on the cake! Our aim is to repeat the performance of the previous ‘Alfa Romeo’ and, indeed, we are, with a line honours and a handicap win, improving on our previous performance.

”Alfa Romeo, one of the fastest Maxi yachts in the world, was the star of the opening day of the Hublot PalmaVela regatta that was sailed in southerly wind conditions of around 10 knots. Alfa Romeo enjoyed a comfortable victory in the Maxi Racer class crossing the finishing line six minutes before the second boat, Alberto Roemmer's Alexia. Once the time correction was applied, Neville Crichton's boat maintained the first position while second place was for Luca Bassani's Tiketitán followed by Claus Peter Offen's Y3K in third place.
 

The Race Committee gave a second start for the Maxi Racer class that could not be completed after a strong rain shower accompanied by a remarkable wind drop in the first leg forced the Race Officer to abandon the race. Wind conditions were unfavourable also for the Maxi Cruiser class and the fleet could not sail the 20 miles coastal course scheduled.  While racing and when boats were passing Cabo Regana the wind began to drop and at Isla del Sech, after the rain, the total calm forced the abandonment of the race.

Hublot PalmaVela, organised by Real Club Náutico de Palma and sponosored by Swiss watchmaker firm Hublot, Govern de les Illes Balears, Ajuntament de Palma and La Caixa, will donate 10 per cent of the entry fees received to the Baleares parent's association of kids with cancer (Aspanob).