A Mediterranean classic of high prestige

It is not known exactly when the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) was founded. Rumours have it that there was an existing club as far back as 1835. What is certain is that it is on record that the Admiralty issued warrants authorising the use of the Blue Ensign in 1873.

It was not until 1928 that steps were successfully taken to obtain official recognition of the pre-fix 'Royal'.

The RMYC ceased to function at the outbreak of World War Two. On July 18, 1942, the Club House , in Haywharf, Floriana, was bombed and demolished.

In 1944, St Rocco Baths were used as a temporary base until 1950. A year later, the Annual Regatta was revived and long distance dinghy races were held for the first time since the war began.

It was in 1950 that the Club House was built on its former site.

In 1969, RMYC was hoping that Fort Manoel or at least most parts of it might be made available by the government of the day.

Couvre Porte, with its most impressive gate, was completed in 1726 and is a fine example of military engineering, which was built by French architect De Tignè. It was in 1970 that the RMYC moved into its new premises at Fort Manoel.

But, in 1999, they received an official eviction order to vacate the premises... Manoel Island is now owned by a private consortium for development.

Next Saturday the club will organise the 25th edition of the Mediterranean classic regatta - the Middle Sea Race.

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as a result of a sporting rivalry between two friends - Paul Ripard and Englishman Jimmy White.

At the time, the RMYC only had four Maltese members, one of whom Ripard.

It was in the early 60s that Ripard and White, together with a mutual friend Alan Green, set out to map a course designed to give them an exciting Mediterranean race slightly longer than the RORC's Fastnet.

American Ted Turner, of Turner Communications (CNN), wrote that the Middle Sea Race must be the most beautiful race in the world.

"Which other event has an active volcano as a mark of its course?" he asked.

In all past editions since it was first run in 1968, the Middle Sea Race has attracted other prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have even gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large as well.

Among these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal. He spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner was Frenchman Eric Tabarly in 1971. He won the round-the-world transatlantic race on Penduik.

The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIPs such as Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

One finds many Italians on the list of top yachting names in the Middle Sea Race.

These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the Star Class, and Gino Ricci, a well-known commentator.

Furthermore, it was also an Italian who finally beat the course record set up by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Skipper Andrea Scarabelli scrapped it resoundingly in 1998. He knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years. The current best time was established two years later by Zephyrus IV, of the US.

World famous protagonists with Middle Sea Race connections include journalist Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

Greece's Peter Goulandris, scion of the well-known shipping family, is probably one of the best examples of foreign competitors to take part in most Middle Sea Race events with his yacht The Big Greek Machine.

However, when Goulandris won line honours in 1972, he was on board Mania.

Writing of big boats obviously brings to mind the Maxi class which has a long loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race.

In fact, right from its heydays we find people like Germany's Herbert von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor, who competed with his maxi Helisara IV.

Then came Marvin Greene JR, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well-known Nirvana (line honours in 1982), and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1977.

But, perhaps, the most impressive MSR achievement belongs to Arthur Podestà. He sailed around the course 24 times on different boats for a unique record - the whole MSR story.

Races that stood out...

1968 - There were eight yachts at the starting line of the first ever Middle Sea Race on the morning of Saturday, November 30, 1968.

Malta registered its first win when John Ripard won on corrected time on Josian as the overall winning yacht. Sir Francis Chichester presented the Middle Sea Trophy, a unique gem designed by A.V. Cremona, to the winners.

1973 - This was probably the best entry at the time, not only in quantity but also in quality. A fleet of 32 made this MSR an exceptional one.

Boats from as far as Bermuda and Australia joined up for the 'Trophy of the Mediterranean'.

Warren Brown's 68-foot War Baby (Bermuda) carried off the line honours in record time (88:32.48) but it was Aura (US) that won on corrected time.

1975 - It had become necessary to bring the date of the race forward to June. The Martini International Club, that had backed the MSR for the past three years, presented the new Martini Mediterranean trophies.

The climax was reached when Italian boat Benbow, crossed the line at 12.32 to record the second fastest time since the first race in 1968, the elapsed time being only eight hours outside War Baby's record.

Valentina, coming in less than just four hours later (16.28), claimed the MSR Trophy.

1977 - For the first time Commodore John Ripard announced a significant change to the course that would increase the overall distance to 630 miles.

This had been done to ensure that, in the event of the most dreaded of gales, the NE Gregale, competitors would still be able to complete the course.

The 10th edition had all the markings of Benbow, skippered by E. Recchi, who for the third consecutive year won line honours.

Recchi also managed to beat one and all on corrected time to make it a double.

1978 - This was the year in which Mistress Quickly, from Bermuda, registered a new course record of 79 hours 34 minutes and 28 seconds.

Once again, the Italians showed their dominance in this race by clinching their eighth win through the skills of skipper of Nello Mazzaferro on Nita IV.

1983 - This was a year of controversy. It seems that there was no problem as to which boat won line honours. The German Saudade, helmed by Albert Buell, was first home. However, the Martini MSR honours went to Edward Demicoli on Lilli.

But, in the end, Saudade was declared winner overall to become the third boat in the MSR history to claim the famous double. This was a sad year for the MSR. Martini retired its sponsorship with the result that the MSR had to be shelved due to a lack of finances.

1996 - After a lapse of 14 years, the MSR was back to consolidate its place among the classics of Mediterranean racing. The course was re-directed for an anti-clockwise regatta.

Like old times, entries came from all over the world. The MSR was back in business with 20 participants, including Argentine maxi Alexia.

This was another year for the Ripard family tradition, with skipper Christian capturing the limelight on his J-boat Bigfoot.

1998 - Foul weather hampered most of the 15 yachts along the northern coast of Sicily which resulted in six of them retiring.

The weather, however, also helped two Italian boats smash Mistress Quickly's record.

Riviera di Rimini recorded a new one of 72:50.42 with Wiva a close second. Leo Piger won the MSR Trophy.

2000 - American Robert McNeill joined a select band of three other boat owners to achieve an impressive double on Zephyrus IV, besides establishing of a new course record of 64:49.57.

2002 - Malta's premier yacht race gained worldwide recognition with the new three-year sponsorship deal from Rolex.

This was yet again a Maltese win when skippers John Ripard Jnr and brother-in-law Andrew Calascione helmed Market Wizard to victory.

Another great Ripard story for a great family that excel in sailing tradition.