Griffin Grit | Racing Offshore from Brindisi to Catanzaro

Tom Newsom reports from the Nastro Rosa Il Giro which re-stated from Brindisi, home of the Italian amphibious regiment, provided a stunning launchpad for our first offshore adventure in the Figaro 3—racing down the Adriatic coast to Catanzaro.

Joss (Cresswell) and I arrived early to prepare the boat, rigging bungees and logging as many practice miles as possible.

The race began just off Batteria Pisacane with a punchy start—boats blasting across the line at 9 knots under Code Zeros. We passed a lighthouse to the south, the only real hazard before the cardinal marks, and peeled straight to our A2. Most of the fleet stayed high, holding onto their Code Zeros, waiting for a shift. We gambled offshore, routing toward what we hoped would be stronger breeze funneling off Croatia. It never came.

As we fell to the back of the fleet, a wind shift saved us, giving us a fast angle toward Santa Maria di Leuca. Unlike the flat east coast, this headland is rugged, like Dorset’s Anvil Point, and funneled breeze all night while others parked up. The Dutch team stuck inshore and edged into the lead despite poor VMG.

By dawn in the Gulf of Taranto, the wind died completely. The Italians handled it best, twisting on every puff and pointing high. The fleet spread across 20 miles, and we stayed central, aiming for a clean reach into Capo Rizzuto. The breeze eventually filled. We loaded the high side—diesel, food, water—and the Figaro came alive. We clawed back into the top three.

Night brought more shutdowns. Offshore boats stalled while a narrow lane of breeze gave overtaking chances. Nearing the finish, we’d worked into second. But the final few miles were brutal—light breeze, coastal current—and we lost two spots. After a last-gasp luffing duel, we crossed in fourth.

This was a different kind of racing—no tides like the UK, but constant reshuffles in light winds. You had to stay sharp, sail smart, and push hard. After years offshore, this was some of the toughest racing I’ve faced.

Huge thanks to the Griffin programme and everyone who donated. And gratitude to the Nastro Rosa Tour for running a world-class event—and letting us go head-to-head with some of Europe’s finest military teams.

To get involved with the RORC Griffin Pathway as a sailor or supporter visit our dedicated Griffin Pathway Information page. HERE