Rolex Middle Sea Race 2016. To finish first, first you must finish

Overnight the battle for multihull line honours at the 2016 the Rolex Middle Sea Race took an extraordinary twist. At about 20:30 CET on Sunday 23 October, Lloyd Thornburg's MOD70 Phaedo 3 rounded Pantelleria and was 11 miles ahead of their rival Giovanni Soldini's MOD70 Maserati. The American multihull looked firmly on course to repeat last year’s success and in doing so set a new course record. In early hours of this morning, Monday 24 October, their assault began to unravel.

After passing Pantelleria, Phaedo3 immediately tacked to the east and most of those following the race tracker (http://www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/tracker/#pt) assumed that the upwind conditions in the race area meant the trimaran needed to open its angle of attack. Phaedo3 made another couple of tacks before continuing its southerly track, in theory towards Lampedusa the next mark on the course.

On reaching the island of Linosa, some 24 miles North West of Lampedusa, Phaedo3 surprisingly tacked north east.  In the absence of news from the boat, it would be another 40 miles and around 3 hours before it became apparent that things were not going according to plan. At around 0500 CEST Phaedo undertook a 180 degree turn to the southwest retracing her track and heading to Lampedusa.

Meantime the previously chasing Maserati rounded Lampedusa just before dawn and instead of a deficit found herself basking in a 65-mile lead. Phaedo3 eventually passed the most southerly mark of the course some four hours behind Maserati.

Co-skipper Brian Thompson from onboard Phaedo3 offered little insight into the reason behind the drama, merely confirming there had been a navigation error: “Last night we scored an ‘own goal’. We have rectified our mistake and are carrying on to the finish.”

Despite the events of last night, the current Rolex Middle Sea Race Multihull Record of 2 days 11 hours 29 minutes and 41 seconds, set by Lloyd Thornburg's MOD70 Phaedo3 in last year's race, remains under threat. Both Maserati and Phaedo3 are expected to finish well inside that time. The first to finish will almost certainly be the new record holder. But, first, one of them has to finish.

More information will be available at the official web site: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

www.rolexmiddlesearace.com
 

(Source: RMYC Press Office)

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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 37th Rolex Middle Sea Race
22nd - 29th October 2016

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.

2015 welcomed an interesting fleet which included some high profile boats making up a total of 111 yachts, representing 22 countries to make yet another successful event.  Monohull Line Honours went to George David’s Rambler 88 which arrived soon after Lloyd Thornburg's MOD 70 Phaedo 3, which was the first Multihull home. Michele Galli's Italian TP52, B2 won the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy, whilst fellow Italian Vincenzo Onorato's Cookson 50, Mascalzone Latino won the Boccale Del Mediterraneao.

For more information about the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

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

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