Friday, October 12, 2012

Rolex Middle Sea Race Preview

Malta starting line for Rolex Middle Sea Race- sailing out of harbor(Gzira, Malta)- A record entry of eighty-six yachts so far, from all over the world, is expected on the start line of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. With less than a month to go to the start the organising team at the Royal Malta Yacht Club is making final preparations for the arrival of several hundred visitors. Many of the competing yachts have already arrived and are safely sheltered in Ta'Xbiex Marina and many more will be arriving over the next few weeks.

Malta- an island in the Mediterranean- renowned for sailorsThe history of the Maltese Islands is intertwined with that of the Mediterranean Basin, with the major civilizations of the area having moored on Malta due to commercial interests with merchant galleys, or even in military operations with fully armed warships. From the times of the ancient Phoenicians to Malta's role as home port for the Royal Navy's Mediterranean fleet, Maltese ports have hosted a diverse range of sea craft from various countries. Now that Malta is an independent republic and a member of the European Union, its harbours are known best to commercial ships, cruise liners, chartered and private yachts as well as nautical aficionados. The coastline's craggy inlets and bays, most of which wonderfully secluded and inaccessible from land, provide the privilege of mooring for a swim or lunching on board in privacy.

J/122 sailing Rolex Middle Sea RaceThe locals know these waters well.  Last year, Lee Satariano's all Maltese team, racing J/122 ARTIE, pulled off a stunning victory to win the race overall and Satariano is relishing this year's race:  "The crew of ARTIE-RTFX ARE all up for it again this year and hope to push the boat to the limit. We have a great team on board who have been sailing together for the past few years. It's ARTIE's 3rd Rolex Middle Sea Race and we hope to make it third time lucky! The race can hold many twists and turns right from the straits of Messina, the wind shadow round Stromboli and the different elements around the course, all of this and many more make it a spectacular and exciting race every year. We have the boat and the crew to make it possible to win again, so we'll be up there once again giving it our best shot. If you are coming to compete for the first time, I can tell you that the atmosphere at the Royal Malta Yacht is just so special, the whole set up is just marvelous, great credit must go to the committee and staff for all the hard work from months before and right through the race."  With real-time tracking, armchair sailors around the world can cheer on the local Maltese crew on the J/122 ARTIE!

J/133 JUNO sailing fast in Rolex Middle Sea RaceAs Lee and Christian know all too well, they will have their greatest challenges coming from other members of the J/Team.  Starting off with a sistership sailed by passionate offshore sailors from Malta, the J/122 OTRA VEZ sailed by Aaron and Edward Gatt sailed a very strong race last year, even leading the race for awhile, but fell into one of the famous holes north of Sicily before turning south.  Fellow Malteseans and friends from Hamburg, Germany is the J/133 OILTANKING JUNO sailed by owner Sonke Stein and skipper David Anastasi; they, too, were winning last year's race with just 15 nm to go but got tanked finishing in the light airs in the harbor! Finally, the "dark horse" by far will be the J/111 J-STORM sailed by Massimo Colosimo from Italy-- last year on their delivery they damaged the boat and sails so never made the race.  This time around they, too, like the J/122 and J/133 will be looking for redemption and help from the capricious, legendary sea-going Gods of Neptune, Odysseus and others who've plied these waters for eons.  Anyone know where the "Sirens" are singing nowadays?  For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing information