The Phoenician Experience, the 650km Mediterranean seafaring adventure being hosted by Malta and Tunisia next month, is generating interest among the local yachting community.

A spokesman for the organisers confirmed that besides the encouraging response from local yachtsmen, there has also been confirmation from three Tunisia-based yachts. These will sail to Malta before the event to join the local entries on the start-line.

The eight-day event will set off on Wednesday, July 9 with the sailing entries followed by the power yachts the next day.

The course will be Malta-Lampedusa, Lampedusa-Monastir, Monastir-El-Kantaoui and finally El-Kantaoui-Yasmine Hammamet, with all participants expected to reach their final destination on July 13.

At Yasmine Hammamet, the presentation of prizes will be held during a gala dinner on July 14.

The event has also met with overwhelming encouragement and collaboration from the Ministries of Tourism of both Malta and Tunisia, as well as from the Tunisian National Tourism Office, the Tunisian carrier Tuninter and other competent institutions.

In fact, in a gesture of support, all three Tunisian marinas (Monastir, El Kantaoui and Hammamet) will be extending free berthing facilities to participants. The port authorities of Sidi Ben Said are extending free berthing for three days to any participant of the 'Phoenician Experience' who decides to visit the port after the rally.

More information may be obtained directly from The Phoenician Experience website at www.maltatunisiarally.com - produced by Silvan Said.

The Organising Committee is made up of R. Darmanin Kissaun, L. Camilleri, R. Tua, W. Sultana, A.Camilleri, V. Calleja, and M. Rezgui. The Phoenician Experience is the fourth initiative featuring the Malta-Tunisia yachting scenario. The previous three were held in 1998, 1999 and 2000.