October 20, 2015
It is with great regret that Dorade must report retirement from the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
The yacht is in good order, and all crew are well.
We are faced with multiple forecasts from all sources describing a building gale over the race area, starting in the next 24 hours and potentially reaching Force 9 or greater. Our forecasters have described this as a Severe Weather Scenario, and with no possibility of Dorade finishing within that next 24 hours preceding the development of the gale, given the Classic nature of our yacht, we feel it only prudent to withdraw so as to not be caught on the race track by the severe weather, putting both crew and vessel at risk.
We are proceeding North to Naples, where we will wait out the weather, and then onwards to Genoa, for eventual departure to the United States.
We appreciate all the organizational efforts and professionalism of the race committee, and we thank them for allowing us the pleasure of participating in this year’s edition of the MSR. We look forward to joining a future edition of the race, and our thanks go out to all involved.
With great sadness upon abandonment,
— SY Dorade