Challenging Rolex Middle Sea Race

(Gzira, Malta)- This past week, the Royal Malta Yacht Club hosted its renowned Rolex Middlesea Race. Many consider it a must-do “bucket list” race due to the immense challenges it presents and the breathtaking, picturesque islands along the route.

The race begins and ends in Malta, with participants circumnavigating the stunning volcanic island of Sicily, Italy. Covering a distance of 606 nautical miles, the journey starts from the Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta, beneath Fort St. Angelo and the impressive medieval Saluting Battery. The fleet then heads northeast along the Sicilian coast, aiming for the Straits of Messina, where you can often catch a glimpse of Mount Etna, sometimes audible with its rumbling eruptions—it’s always “smoking,” that’s for sure!

From the Straits, the course continues north toward Stromboli, another active volcano. The yachts then turn west towards the Egadi Islands. After reaching Favignana, the fleet sails south towards Lampedusa, with Pantelleria on their port side. Once they pass Lampedusa, the fleet is on the home stretch back to Malta, culminating at Marsamxett Harbour.

Amongst this year’s 94 entries were a half-dozen J/Teams spread over three divisions. Here is how the top J/Teams faired in this year’s race.

ORC/ IRC 4 Division- 14 boats
Sailing in a very tough fleet was Andrew & Sam Hall’s J/125 JACKKNIFE. In the past, J/125s have proven incredibly difficult to beat given the right wind and sea conditions. J/125s have won the Rolex Middle Sea Race twice before overall! Not this year. JACKKNIFE managed to put in a strong enough performance to earn the bronze medal!

ORC/ IRC 5 Division- 20 boats
This fleet had three J/crews participating, all with abundant offshore experience and good track records. However, two dropped out after encountering massive squalls on the first night offshore. In the end, Peter Lezhnin’s J/112E JEDI crew from Australia persevered to take fourth place in the ORC 5 Division.

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 five days! Nevertheless, the intrepid young crews on the two J/109s were up to the task and sailed remarkably well! Supported and sponsored by the Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation in Malta, Claudio Bugeja’s JYS JAN took the silver medal in the ORC 6 Division! Then, JYC JAN to 4th in IRC 6 Division, while stablemate Gary Mercieca’s JARHEAD finished just behind in fifth place! Not bad for a bunch of junior sailors from Malta! Congratulations on their herculean effort in their Odeyssian adventure!

For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing information
https://www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/