Malta awaits the start
© Rolex / Kurt Arrigo
107 yachts. 606 nautical miles. An unsettled forecast. The Rolex Middle Sea Race begins tomorrow.
Malta’s Grand Harbour sets the stage on Saturday 17 October as the 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race gets under way at 11:00 CEST. Around 940 sailors from 55 countries and territories will take on the course around Sicily, with changing weather promising a tactical contest from the opening miles.
The fleet will navigate the Strait of Messina, pass Stromboli and head around western Sicily before turning towards Pantelleria, Lampedusa and the return to Malta. Light winds could slow the early stages, while stronger south-easterlies later in the week may bring a demanding passage for smaller yachts.
A race against the weather
Black Jack 100 returns to defend her monohull line honours title. Volvo 70 Pace will look for opportunities as conditions strengthen, while defending overall IRC winner Balthasar arrives after victory in Wednesday’s Coastal Race.
But timing could prove more decisive than outright speed. Fading wind near Lampedusa may allow some boats to escape while leaving others struggling to move.
Pace’s Stu Bannatyne offers a warning for the whole fleet: “Be careful not to put too much faith in any of the forecasts.”
Tomorrow, the spectacle belongs to Grand Harbour. After that, attention turns to the next patch of wind.
