Rolex Middle Sea Race 2015. Rounding the Lightouse of the Med

As the fleet of 111 yachts head into their second night of racing during the Rolex Middle Sea Race, only a few will have rounded the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”, the active volcano of Stromboli just North of the island of Sicily.

Light winds have plagued the fleet since the start on Sunday in Valletta's Grand Harbour.  The fleet has crept North, past Capo Passero and Mount Etna and it is expected that all will have crossed through the narrow Strait of Messina by tomorrow.

Setting the pace is the MOD 70 trimaran Phaedo3 (USA), owned by Lloyd Thornburg, which lept out of the gate and has kept the fleet in the rearview mirror.

George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 glided past Stromboli at 1630 CET and is in a commanding position to take monohull Line Honours having stretched out a 15 nautical mile lead over Dieter Schön’s Maxi 72 Momo (GER) as they head towards the most Northwesterly point of the course, Favignana. With a steady breeze behind them, the canting keel maxi yacht is cruising along at a comfortable 14 knots gaining valuable distance on the fleet.

In close pursuit are Cookson 50 Mascalzone Latino (ITA), TP52 B2 (ITA), RP60 Wild Joe (HUN), Ker 56 Varuna (GER), Swan 80 Plis Play (ESP) and the Volvo 70 SFS II (FRA).  This pack of yachts is also likely to pull away from the fleet left in the Strait of Messina tonight.

As of this evening, the leading yachts from IRC Classes 4 and 5 are the Bermudian sloop Vikesha II (MLT) skippered by Oleg Evdokimenko and Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard's J/122 Artie (MLT), overall winner of the 2014 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

(Race Report: KPMS)

About the Rolex Middle Sea Race
Marking the close of each Mediterranean yachting season, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a navigator’s race with numerous puzzles posed by the corners of its spectacular course that demand intense preparation. An anticlockwise circumnavigation of Sicily, it is unique in offshore yacht racing in that it starts and finishes in the same place. The active volcanic island of Stromboli – the lighthouse of the Mediterranean – is the symbol of the race, often illuminating the night sky with eruptions for crews passing after sunset.  The Rolex Middle Sea Race is organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and has been sponsored by Rolex since 2002.



How to Follow
 the Race
Further information on the 2015 Rolex Middle Sea Race can be found at www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

To follow the race and track the participating yachts: http://www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/tracker/#pt

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PR CONTACT FOR ROYAL MALTA YACHT CLUB
Maria Vella-Galea
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