Rolex Middle Sea Race

Biggest fleet to leave Malta since 1565

Last weekend 69 yachts set off on an adventure across the Mediterranean for the 30th annual Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Competitors sail anti-clockwise around Sicily, taking them 606-nautical miles. It's the biggest fleet to leave Malta’s Grand Harbour since the Turks left at the end of the great siege in 1565, despite the Royal Malta Yacht Club co-founding the event with the Royal Ocean Racing Club in 1968.

This 30th race is certainly attracting a strong, international fleet - until Rolex sponsorship was established, the usual number of participants was 25 - 30.

The USA’s 'Bella Mente' was the first to quit the race on Monday with equipment problems, meanwhile Britain's 'Alegre' is looking to be a strong contender for the winner.

The course record was set by USA’s 'Rambler' in 2007. The crew completed the race in just one day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and three seconds. Previous race winners include yachting legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The conditions on this race are often changeable and demanding, creating a true challenge for skippers and crew. The race is equally blessed with stunning scenery, taking competitors close to a number of Mediterranean islands which act as course markers.

Media mogul, and lifetime sailing enthusiast, Ted Turner has described the course as “the most beautiful in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?”

For more information, visit: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com