Rolex Middle Sea Race boats sail off from Marsamxett

Rolex Middle Sea Race boats had to deal with light winds yesterday as the fleet sailed off in a colourful start at Marsamxett Harbour yesterday.

The 607-mile race takes the 44 boats, two more than last year's record entry, around Sicily in an anti-clockwise direction via the Straits of Messina, Stromboli island, Egadi islands, south to Pantelleria, just 35 miles from the Tunisian coast, Lampedusa and back to Valletta.

With various boats coming from abroad with the sole intention of breaking the course record of Zephyrus IV, established three years ago at 64:49.57, the conditions are not considered to be favourable even though the long range forecast for the race is predicting stronger winds for the middle section of the course.

The first day at sea should see the boats sailing to the top of the Straits of Messina, some 140 miles away from Valletta.

This year, all yachts in the Rolex Middle Sea Race are equipped with Argos beacons and each boat's position will be regularly updated and viewable online at www.rolexmiddlesearace.com.

To establish a new course record, the first monohull will have to cross the finish line before 4.09 a.m. on Tuesday.