Rolex Middle Sea Race, Day 4: MOMO set the bar

Dieter Schön's German Maxi 72, Momo, finished the Rolex Middle Sea Race on the fourth day of the race, setting the bar for the IRC fleet to beat. Whilst well over 100 yachts are still racing. Momo's time, corrected by their IRC rating, is potentially a race winner. There were no celebrations on board but the international crew of professional sailors did make their way into the Royal Malta Yacht Club to a warm round of applause and an ice cold drink. Momo's owner, IMA Member Dieter Schön, knows too well that overall victory could still be won by several other yachts still racing.

“The start went well for us and I think we performed perfectly all the way to Sicily but as expected, the first night was very difficult to find the right way. We parked a few times but we passed through the Strait of Messina very well and we were super downwind to Stromboli. In front of Palermo, we parked for maybe five hours. We got going again but came to another stop at Lampedusa, so there were a lot of parking lots around, which made it a difficult race to sail. However, racing in IRC, you have to wait for the last boat before you can win, perhaps we have won our class.”

In IRC Two, the biggest threat to Momo's overall lead is from two Italian yachts, Michele Galli's TP52, B2 and Vincenzo Onorato's Cookson 50, Mascalzone Latino. However, Momo's performance in the second half of the race is exemplified by the fact that at Favignana, Momo was just minutes ahead of the two Italian yachts. By the finish, Momo was one hundred miles ahead. Mascalzone Latino and B2 are expected to finish the race late tonight or in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

In IRC Three, the Turkish team racing Ker 40, Arkas Flying Box, was leading the class at Favignana and is currently winning the battle with the young Dutch team, racing Bastiaan de Voogd's Sydney 43, Coin Coin.

The vast majority of the fleet have made slow progress along the north shore of Italy; only 18 yachts had passed Favignana by this afternoon and no yachts from IRC Class 4, 5 or 6 had passed this northwest corner of the course. The early part of the Rolex Middle Sea Race had favoured the smaller yachts, that scenario has now changed.

Fresh pressure is expected to come from the northwest by Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning, but every cloud has a silver lining. Weather models are predicting a Mistral, the cold northerly wind that is created by the Alps, and with it, there could be a significant increase in pressure, similar to last year's storm force finale.

Jamie Sammut, owner and skipper of Unica is taking part in his third Rolex Middle Sea Race. Last year, heavy weather forced Unica to bow out. Jamie and his crew are well prepared and determined to finish the race, Unica is currently at Favignana, the place at which they retired last year.

“Crew’s spirits are high, even though there were some very frustrating moments when wind seemed to be non-existent and all the crew could do was sit and wait it out.  Today has been better with the crew pushing hard to gain momentum and speed, although winds are getting light again but we know that big wind is on the way.”

To follow the race, visit the official Rolex Middle Sea Race web site: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

All of the competitors are encouraged to contact the media team during the race with stories from the sea, pictures and even videos.

All of the competing yachts are fitted with YB trackers showing their position and other telemetric data.

www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

The Royal Malta Yacht Club
Founded in 1835. It is the only yacht club in Malta and is a founder member of the Malta Sailing Federation. The Royal Malta Yacht Club has a deep commitment to yachting and organises a full programme of racing and social activities throughout the year. Located right on the water in Ta’ Xbiex Marina the club offers extraordinary facilities which include a lounge bar and dining area with outdoor terraces, roof top terrace, conference rooms, a fitness room with changing rooms, waterfront facilities for small boats and a seasonal marina for larger boats.

The club is an ideal base for yachtsmen whether for racing or cruising at any time of year. It is a favourite port of call for members of renowned yacht clubs from all over the world with which the club has reciprocal agreements. The members vary in age and profession but share a common passion for, yachting and the social life that is generated around the club.

The 36th Rolex Middle Sea Race
17- 24th October 2015

The Rolex Middle Sea Race takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean and covers one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Starting and finishing in Malta, the 608-nautical mile route includes the deep azure waters of Sicily and the Strait of Messina, the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, and even features Stromboli's active volcano as a course mark.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney - Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a "must do" race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968.

2014 was a record entry with 122 yachts competing from all over the world with approximately 1000 sailors taking part. Counting support staff, media, competitors' friends and family, well over a thousand people visit Malta as a direct result of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Through TV, print and on line media, The Rolex Middle Sea Race highlights the attraction of Malta and its islands to a worldwide audience.

For more information about the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Hi Resolution Images available upon request.

(Race Report by RMYC)

CONTACTS:

Royal Malta Yacht Club
Address: Ta' Xbiex Seafront. Ta'Xbiex, XBX 1028, Malta
Telephone: +356 21 333109
Fax: +356 21 331131

For Press enquiries:
maria@rmyc.org
+356 9981 2345