Rolex Middle Sea Race Preview

ByStuart Johnstone

(Gzira, Malta)- For most racers, the Rolex Middle Sea Race needs little introduction. Hosted by Royal Malta Yacht Club the race starts and ends in Malta, with an offshore race that makes a circumnavigation around the spectacular volcanic island of Sicily, Italy. The 606.0nm journey starts from the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta, beneath Fort St Angelo and the Saluting Battery, then the fleet heads northeast along the coast of Sicily, towards the Straits of Messina. You can usually spot Mount Etna and hear the Volcano rumble, or so they say.

The course heads north from the Straits in the direction of Stromboli, another active volcano, where the yachts then turn west to the Egadi Islands. After reaching Favignana the fleet heads south towards the island of Lampedusa with the island of Pantelleria on their port side. Once they have passed Lampedusa the fleet is on the home straight towards Malta and the finish at Marsamxett Harbour. 

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a challenge for both skippers and crews. Everyone has to be on their A-Game to cope with the demanding and often changeable conditions on the 606.0nm course.

Amongst this year’s 94 entries are a half-dozen J/Teams spread over three divisions. 

ORC/ IRC 4 Division- 14 boats
Sailing this tough fleet will be Andrew & Sam Hall’s J/125 JACK KNIFE. In the past, J/125s have proven incredibly difficult to beat given the right wind and sea conditions. J/125 has won the Rolex Middle Sea Race twice before overall!

ORC/ IRC 5 Division- 20 boats
This fleet has three J/crews participating and all have abundant offshore experience and good track records. There are two J/112Es- Hort Huelsey’s BEFREE OPENPAYD from Malta (local offshore hotshots) and Peter Lezhnin’s JEDI crew from Australia. Joining them is Mark Wilson’s J/122 NOISY OYSTER, a proven winner on the Mediterranean offshore circuit. 

ORC/ IRC 6 Division- 18 boats
As the smallest boats racing for 606.0nm, it’s a tough “ask” for these small crews to keep up the pace 24×7 for over three days! Nevertheless, the intrepid young crews on the two J/109s are up to the task and have sailed remarkably well! Supported and sponsored by the Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation in Malta, those two teams include Gary Mercieca’s JARHEAD and Claudio Bugeja’s JYS JAN. For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing information