The 2015 Rolex Middle Sea Race, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, starts this morning from Grand Harbour.
For the second year in succession, well over 100 yachts will be competing, flying the flags of 22 countries.
The 36th edition of the race has a record number of 11 canting keel carbon fibre flyers racing, and, weather-permitting, all of these high-performance yachts are capable of breaking the course record, which has stood since George David’s Rambler 90 in 2007 (47 hours 55 minutes and 3 seconds).
Leading the assault on the course record will be David himself, racing the Juan K designed American Maxi, Rambler 88, with an all-star crew including Brad Jackson, Andrew Cape, Joca Signorini, Rodney Ardern, Simon Daubney, Robbie Naismith, Lorenzo Mazza, Stu Wilson, Nathan Hislop, Jan Dekker, Jerry Kirby, Scott Beavis and Curtis Blewitt.
Two hi-tech multi-hulls will be racing in the MOCRA Class and both are capable of beating Rambler 88 around the 606nm course.
Lloyd Thornburg’s American MOD 70, Phaedo3, has been smashing world records since being launched last year.
Phaedo3 is co-skippered by British sailor Brian Thompson. He was part of the crew on Banque Populaire V for the outright round the world record (Jules Verne Trophy).
Californian Peter Aschenbrenner will be racing his 63-foot Nigel Irens designed trimaran, Paradox. Whilst on paper, Phaedo3 is faster than Paradox, under the MOCRA rating rule, Paradox beat Phaedo3 in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race.
Paradox crew includes the world speed record holder Paul Larsen, who achieved over 65 knots in Sailrocket in 2012.
The overall winner of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the coveted Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy is decided by the best corrected time under the IRC handicap system.
Last year, competitors experienced flat calm to storm force winds. This variety makes predicting the overall winner very difficult.
In IRC One, Jan-Henrik Kisteit’s German Maxi 72, Momo, won class at the Rolex Fastnet Race and a top professional crew in Malta includes Volvo Ocean Race winner Jules Salter as navigator.
Jens Kellinghusen’s Ker 56, Varuna VI, will be competing in its debut race. Volvo Ocean winner, Robert Greenhalgh will be callingtactics.
In IRC Two, Michele Galli’s Italian TP52, B2 will be racing, hoping to repeat their overall victory in 2013. Francesco de Angelis, one of Italy’s most decorated sailors, will once again be tactician for the race.
Vincenzo Onorato’s Italian Cookson 50, Mascalzone Latino, was in a strong position last year before gear failure put the team out.
Volvo Ocean Race winner Ian Moore will be the navigator for Mascalzone Latino, alongside Flavio Favini as tactician.
Meanwhile, last year’s overall winner, Lee Satariano’s Maltese J/122 Artie, will be aiming for a third win, which is unprecedented in the 47-year history of the race.
“It depends on the conditions,” Satariano told reporters this week.
“It looks like it might be a light wind start, which will suit us, but the weather forecast is very changeable. We have much the same crew as last year and we are ready to race.”
The international fleet of yachts will be crewed by an astounding mix of Olympic, America’s Cup and round-the-world navigators, as well as passionate amateur Corinthian sailors.
Italian yachts represent the largest entry by country with 31 boats entered. Seven Maltese yachts will be competing, including Elusive II BOV.
The 2015 Rolex MSR will be the start of a new chapter for the race, and especially for the Podesta family, as RMYC Commodore Godwin Zammit explains.
“For the first time in the race’s history, Arthur Podesta will not be on the start line,” he said.
“His association with the race goes back to the very start, when he was a crew member on the winner of the inaugural race in 1968.
“Arthur is the only sailor to have competed in all previous editions of this race. He passed away earlier this month and will long be remembered for his love of sailing.
“His First 45 Elusive II BOV will be racing this Saturday (today) with his three children – Aaron, Christoph and Maya – all on board.
“They will be racing in Arthur’s honour.”
Winners last ten years
2014: Artie - Malta
2013: B2 - Italy
2012: Hi Fidelity - South Africa
2011: Artie - Malta
2010: Lucky - United States
2009: Allegre - United Kingdom
2008: Spirit of Ad Hoc - France
2007: Rambler - United States
2006: Morning Glory - Germany
2005: Atalanta II - Italy