Rolex Middle Sea Race Preview

 

(Gzira, Malta)- The 41st edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is scheduled to start at 11:00 local time on Saturday, October 17th. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) confirmed that everything is in place. The relief is palpable for the organizers and crews. Despite the club’s conviction that race could and should go ahead, if at all possible, it has been a long and uncertain wait. The fifty boats registered to set off on the 606nm course are proof that the conviction was well-reasoned.
 
Principal Race Officer Peter Dimech is probably the most relieved individual in Malta. “It’s an achievement, in the present circumstances, to have a fleet of 50 boats starting from Grand Harbour tomorrow,” he commented. Dimech is quick to give some context, “we are probably the last truly international race of 2020, a year of cancellations, so pulling this off is quite something.”


The race start looks fairly straight-forward, with a force 4 to 5 north-westerly to power the fleet off the line. “The north west breeze will get them to Capo Passero on the southeast corner of Sicily on Saturday evening or night,” continues Dimech. “Then, they may have a problem as the wind is set to die overnight.”

The fleet will be divided into seven start groups with the smallest yachts scheduled to cross the line first. Sailing in IRC 4 Class will be Russian Alexey Moskvin's J/122E BURAN, a recent podium finisher at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez in France. 

In IRC 6 Class will be Italian Leonardo Petti on his J/109 CHESTRESS. Joining them will be the J/109 JARHEAD that will be sailed by a youth team from the Jarhead Youth Sailors Foundation of Malta. Furthermore, sailing in IRC Doublehanded and IRC 6 Class will be the French duo of Boess & Bordas on their J/109 JUBILEE.  For more Rolex Middle Sea Race sailing informationAdd to Flipboard Magazine.