Rolex Middle Sea Race 2017: tomorrow the start

From South Africa to the United States, from Chile to New Zealand, the appeal of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is unquestionably broad. The 103 yachts expected to start tomorrow’s 38th edition of the 606-nm race represent 30 different countries. Sailed by in excess of a thousand crew from all corners of the globe, 2017 marks potentially the most international line-up in the race’s history.

“It is a diverse fleet both in terms of nationalities and range of boats,” explains Godwin Zammit, Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. “Many crews are returning which is an indication they love the race. The Rolex Middle Sea Race is always interesting. The circular course ensures it’s a constant challenge for crews and the weather in the Mediterranean is very changeable especially during this time of year.”

Lying ahead following the grandiose, cannon-fire start from Grand Harbour, Valletta is one of the world of sailing’s most exacting 600-nm races comprising a scenic and tactically demanding circumnavigation of Sicily. Together with two legendary offshore races – the Rolex Fastnet and the Rolex Sydney Hobart – the Rolex Middle Sea Race forms an integral part of Rolex’s involvement with offshore sailing.

AN OPEN RACE

The variety of the fleet will ensure a multi-dimensional race with conditions at each of the race’s frequent corners providing changing weather patterns, each one potentially suiting different a type of yacht. The presence of a fresh Mistral on Monday morning is likely to provide the leading yachts with significant momentum as they head down the northeast coast of Sicily before making the turn at Lampedusa before the final stretch to Malta. A new race record is not being ruled out. A key marker will come early in the race when the leaders negotiate the calmer conditions forecast between the Strait of Messina and the race’s iconic landmark, the volcanic island of Stromboli.

The prospect of a fast race will intrigue the leading yachts. George David’s 88-ft Rambler from the United States has not only been fastest finisher of the last two editions, she recently added line honours victory at the Rolex Fastnet to her impressive palmarès. David is also the race record holder having set a time of 47 hours, 55 minutes with his 90-ft Rambler in 2007. The Rambler crew comprises a who’s who of professional sailing talent including New Zealanders Brad Butterworth and Dean Barker.

Competition for line honours is poised to be the most closely-fought in recent memory with the leading Maxis all possessing their own distinct performance parameters. Ludde Ingvall arrives with his 98-ft CQS, completing a triumvirate of Rolex 600-nm offshore races over the past ten months. The largest competing yacht is the 100-ft Leopard, line honours winner in Malta in 2009. The two competing Maxi 72s are closer in design philosophy than the largest yachts. Dieter Schön’s Momo, line honours winner at the 2017 Giraglia Rolex Cup, is the recently crowned Rolex Maxi 72 World Champion and George Sakellaris’ Proteus, was runner-up at the same event in Porto Cervo. The Rolex Middle Sea Race offers an immediate opportunity to reignite their rivalry.

In the absence of defending champion Mascalzone Latino from Italy and a number of recent race winners, the quest to win the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy and Rolex timepiece for outright victory on IRC handicap is likely to go to a new name. Pietro Moschini’s Endlessgame from Italy and Franco Niggeler’s Swiss yacht Kuka 3, like Mascalzone Latino, are Cookson 50 designs and will be hoping that the race continues to be kind to yachts in the 50-ft range. James Blakemore’s all South African crew on the Swan 53 Music is amongst that group of contenders. “We’re looking at a Tuesday afternoon arrival in Malta as there will be big pressure from Stromboli onwards,” explains the crew’s Gerry Hegie. “This is an iconic race. The key will be making the right choices regarding the sail inventory for all of the different corners.”

The most represented country is Italy with over 20 expected starts followed by the United Kingdom and Russia. Six Maltese yachts will not only compete for national pride but aim to become the eighth local yacht to win the race. Conditions may prove particularly favourable for two of the contenders, XP44s XP-Act and Xpresso.

How to follow the 2017 Rolex Middle Sea Race

Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the 2017 Rolex Middle Sea Race will start at 11:00hrs (CET) on the 21st October in the spectacular Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta.

Race starts on Saturday 21st October at 11:00 hrs (CET) at the Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta

Various vantage points are available from most areas of the Grand Harbour. The Lower and Upper Barakka Gardens in Valletta, the Valletta waterfronts and the Senglea promontory, give a fine view of the start.

How to follow the Race:

Website: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

Yacht Tracker: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/tracker/#pt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RolexMiddleSeaRace

Twitter: #rolexmiddlesea

Instagram: rolexmiddlesearace

(Report by : RMSRace Media Team)

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 38th Rolex Middle Sea Race
21st- 28th October 2017

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 606-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.

2016 will be remembered as a race of multiple dimensions. Recipient of the Rolex Chronometer and Rolex Middle Sea Race trophy as Overall Winner was Vincenzo Onorato's Italian Cookson 50 Mascalzone Latino. Sweet success having lost out by just nine seconds the year before. George David's Rambler 88 from the United States took Monohull Line Honours for the second year in a row and Giovanni Soldini's Italian Multi70 Maserati won the Multihull class setting a new race record in this category.

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
Email: info@rmyc.org

Media Enquiries
Telephone: +356 9981 2345
Email: pr@rmyc.org