On the Looking Glass

October 20, 2014. After a long and frustrating second night at sea, the Rolex Middle Sea Race fleet continues to make slow progressing on a mirror-like sea. Despite the very light winds, by 13.00 hrs on Day 3 all but 4 yachts had rounded Stromboli and the frontrunners are approaching Palermo at the northwest tip of Sicily.
50 hours after the Saluting Battery cannons marked the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, 100 nautical miles separate the two extremities of the fleet.  The Maltese yacht Salana is the last competitor on the course and is approaching Stromboli.
In 2007 George Davis’ Rambler finished just before midday on the third day to set a new course record of 47 hours, 55 minutes and 03 seconds, at an average speed of 12.65 knots. This year’s leading yacht, the Slovenian maxi Esimit Europa 2, is currently averaging only 5 knots and is about halfway home.    
Rán  and Shockwave continue to chase Esimit Europa 2. At 11.00 this morning Niklas Zennström’s Maxi 72 was just 14 nautical miles behind Igor Simcic’s maxi and four nautical miles ahead Georges Sakellari’s Maxi 72 Shockwave.

Andrew McIrvine, IMA Secretary-General, is racing onboard Belladonna Yachting: “Ghosting past Stromboli seeing a faint glow from the not very active volcano last night. It has been a slow race but in our 46 ft Grand Soleil 'Belladonna Yachting' we have not been slowed as seriously as the biggest boats. Esimit, Shockwave and Rán still lead but have had long park ups allowing us to catch up. As we left the straits of Messina where we 'short-gybed' up the shore to escape the tide we were 2nd in class and 3rd overall -but this won't last!  We have kept ahead of maxis Bristolian and Tulip but progress is agonizingly slow. Wind is forecast for Wednesday!”.

The last boat exited the Strait of Messina at 04.00 hrs last night, while the bulk of the fleet was rounding Stromboli. Some of the yachts have headed north of the rhumb (most direct course) in the search of more breeze. The race tracker shows those boats still near the volcanic island to be at a standstill.   
Concentration, focused trimming, correct sail selection, precise helming and minimizing unnecessary movements are key to getting the best out of really light conditions. With the hours of darkness exceeding daylight at this time of the year, this difficult equation has an added challenge.

Tomorrow should bring a dramatic change in fortune. According to Principal Race Officer, Peter Dimech: “A northwesterly wind will fill in late on Tuesday. The big boats will be flying, and should start arriving on Wednesday morning, Thursday and Friday for the rest of the fleet.”

How to Follow the Event

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and has been sponsored by Rolex since 2002.



Further information on the 2014 Rolex Middle Sea Race can be found at www.rolexmiddlesearace.com.