The 36th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race started this morning from Malta's spectacular Grand Harbour.
Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the 2015 Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic.
The race poses a major challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions.
By dusk, the leading yachts were in the vicinity of Capo Passero, the extreme southeastern point of Sicily and the first significant tactical point in the race. The northwesterly gradient breeze meets the northerly breeze emanating from The Strait of Messina and the convergence of these two winds is causing an area of little wind, which the fleet must cross.