Views from the crews

In the coming two weeks, Malta's reputation as a yachting centre in the Mediterranean will be borne out as yachts and crews arrive for the 2002 Middle Sea Race. This year's new sponsorship agreement with Rolex positions the event alongside the Rolex Fastnet and the Rolex Sydney-Hobart as a must-do race.

Up to 40 yachts from 11 countries are expected to take part this year.

A person who has competed in every Middle Sea Race so far is Arthur Podesta. For the very first time, he will be competing on his boat Elusive, together with his daughter, Maya, and his two boys, Aaron and Christoph.

While Christoph has some experience behind him, at just 13, this will be his very first MSR. Podesta will be taking part in his 23rd event and obviously knows the course better than most. But, even with his vast experience, Podesta would be the first to acknowledge the challenges of the race.

"It's not to be underestimated," he said. "It's long, tough and tiring, but the Middle Sea Race has a particular charm and I'm very excited about the prospect of sailing with my family," he said.

Podesta has been out training with his nine-strong crew in the weeks leading up the event. Apart from anything else, up to five days at sea can be a test of character and it's vital for crews to learn to live and work together during this time.

"It's amazing how characters can change in a confined space over a relatively short period of time," Arthur said. "So it's important to train together as much as we can."

Malta-based German businessman Jost Merten, considered to be nearly Maltese, will be sailing his immaculate Beneteau 47.7, Escape, one of the few local boats that survived last year's weather front during the first night of the race.

Paul Chetcuti will do his utmost this year after he had to retire in 2001 in fierce winds. Regular on-board weather faxes, together with up-to-date news on weather conditions from crews coming from Italy, will no doubt assist his third race on Victoria Moody.

The UK-built blue water yacht cruises easily at eight knots in good winds and, equally important to Chetcuti and his crew is the Moody's comfort level.

Platypus is owned by John Dougall. After racing on board American maxi, Sagamore, Dougall has now decided to tackle this race in much more comfort and opted for his brand new Jeanneau.

German-born Maltese resident Sonke Stein makes no bones about his ambitions to win. Sonke will be sailing his J-105, O-JEE, knowing that the same type of boat has won its class in previous years.

Although this is Sonke's first Middle Sea Race, he's a keen participant in other Royal Malta Yacht Club events and has recently taken part in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo and, last year, sailed for 25 days non-stop in the Cape to Rio.

But even with thousands of nautical miles under his belt, Sonke still says the biggest challenge is staying focused.

"We have a limited crew of six and four will be out any one time," he said, "so getting enough sleep over a four- or five-day stretch might be an issue."

Simon Camilleri will be sailing in exactly the same type of boat, the 35ft J-105, Bigfoot. In fact, Bigfoot won the race with its previous owners a few years back but Camilleri isn't taking anything for granted.

"Of course, we don't underestimate the nature of the race, particularly with a relatively small boat. We've done a lot of preparatory work including a major refit and we're sailing with Sam Pantallersco, an experienced local skipper."

One of the smallest of the local entries is First Ever, helmed by Anton Valentino, president of the Malta Sailing Federation. The Beneteau 32.5 was second in Class last year and, two years ago, won the Malta Rolex Cup.

Despite the size of the boat, likely weather conditions don't seem to bother Valentino too much: "Very often, changeable weather can favour a small boat and we often do better than some of the bigger yachts," he said.

Commanche Raider, a Humphries 44 toner, will be easy to spot. Rather than a re-spray, it's been covered with a special type of weather resistant wrapping featuring striking black, green and red graphics.

Jonas Diamantino, Commanche's team manager, said: "It's the first time ever this material has been used on a boat; you're more likely to see it on an aircraft. But, it's much less expensive than a re-spray and quicker to change if we want to."

Commanche Raider has just been sailed from Ireland for the race. Jonas and his crew sailed virtually all the way from Carrick Fergus taking 16 days, but Jonas loves the sense of achievement that comes with long distance sailing.

"The Middle Sea Race is particularly tough; it's long and the weather patterns can be hazardous, so it's a test of endurance as much as anything else."

An architect by profession, Willie Carbonaro will be taking part in his fifth event. Last year, technical difficulties in his new Jeanneau 43, Bordeaux III, led to retirement in Catania, but meticulous work on the boat together with the completion of the Winter and Spring series, means that Carbonaro is a strong contender for the 2002 edition.

"I've been in dead calm or vicious 40 to 45 knot winds in virtually every Middle Sea Race," he said. "But, we're well prepared and have an experienced crew including one member who completed six Sydney-Hobart races including the ill-fated one in 1998."

The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts on Saturday at 11 a.m. from the waters opposite Couvre Port.