Style, power and skill galore

The grand bastions of Valletta, always crowded with enthusiastic onlookers for the occasion, have witnessed the birth, growth and maturity of this enchanting sailing event.

Born in November 1968, the Middle Sea Race had a modest start with only eight participants, yet it was a significant moment for sailing in Malta in general and for the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) in particular.

Josian, a Class III yacht, owned and skippered by John Ripard, won this first edition which was also the slowest race in the series - 148 hours 20 mins.

The Middle Sea Race was the brainchild of Jimmy White, a keen English yachtsman who in 1966 had retired in Malta along with his yacht Sandettie. He soon became involved with the local sailing community and started competing in many local events but no long distance 'off-shore' races were available then.

Very often he discussed, mainly with his regular sailing companion E. Alan Green, the possibility of a long hard race from Malta and finally came up with the plan for a race which was accepted by the RMYC.

This was the beginning of a new winter race of over 600 miles in the Mediterranean, meant to be comparable with the famous British Fastnet, which eventually over the years has been acclaimed by many as 'the most beautiful race course in the world and one of the most challenging'.

Last year the event marked its 25th edition and commemorated such an important milestone by presenting a stunning 50-boat racing fleet, a superb feat which undoubtedly confirms the heartening horizons the race faces.

Georges Bonello Du Puis, now in his fourth successful tenure as Commodore of the RMYC, acknowledges the strong endeavour and commitment shown by the club and by other local collaborators. However, he firmly attributes "the revival of the Middle Sea Race owes much to the huge involvement of sponsors Rolex".

A significant sponsorship agreement which last year was further extended for three more years.

Entries for this 26th edition are most encouraging with 35 confirmations and 15 potentials in the pipeline. It is reliably understood that while one famous Maxi, ICAP Maximus, could be in this year's fleet, discussions are already going on which indicate very good prospects for a bigger representation of such category of yachts for next year.

ICAP Maximus (New Zealand), a 30-metre Greg Elliott designed supermaxi launched on February 14 at the Auckland Viaduct Harbour, is considered the most technologically advanced monohull race yacht in the world.

The supermaxi with lifting keel and rotating mast, currently the highest-rated sailing boat in the world, has just rounded off a perfect Rolex Fastnet Race, a real moment of satisfaction for its co-owners Bill Buckley and Charles St Clair Brown and their crew.

Another hot boat that should make the Malta start-line is Patches (Ireland), a TP 52 class boat which will have among its crew Olympic medallist Shirley Robertson.

The British all-black carbon-fibre Swan 601, Spirit of Jethou, owned by Sir Peter Ogden which has just competed in the Rolex Swan European Regatta in Cowes, is also heading to the 608-nautical mile Mediterranean challenge. Fenix, a Swan 60, is also among the confirmed participants.

Battle of the locals

A strong 'battle of the locals' is again envisaged this year when many established names like Jammin (Andrew Calascione), Strait Dealer (David Frank), 4 Play (Nik Torreggiani), 02 (Sonke Stein), Artie (Lee Satariano), Primadonna (Georges Bonello Du Puis), Comanche Raider (Jonas Diamantino), Aziza (Sandro Musu), Bordeaux III (Willie Carbonaro), Primavera II (Chris Saliba), Maltese Falcon 2 (Martin Scicluna), and Allegra (Alfred Manduca) have all confirmed their participation.

Well, to this electrifying listing one also has to add Elusive which will be skippered by Arthur Podesta - a myth where Middle Sea Race is concerned having raced in all the event's editions.

Talking about legends and achievements, one significant record related to the Rolex Middle Sea Race was determined in 2000 when American yacht Zephyrus IV established the current course record of 64 hours 49 minutes and 57 seconds.

Meanwhile, I hope Commodore Bonello Du Puis would spare me some time not only to have a chat about the 'upbeat and downbeat' moments of his tenure as Commodore but also to speak about the club's current major concern... its premises.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race programme also includes The Malta Rolex Cup, a two-race inshore series which will be held on October 19 and 20.

Entries for participation close on October 15, while the final prize-giving will be held at noon on October 29.