Yacht club losing 'unique' location

The Royal Malta Yacht Club is decked out to host the prestigious Rolex Middle Sea Race 2003, located in the imposing 18th-century Fort Manoel... sadly, for the last time.

RMYC commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis said the fact that the yacht club was housed in Fort Manoel was a "unique asset to Malta's sailing industry and we are about to lose it".

The club premises are being taken over by the Midi consortium, which is developing Manoel Island and Tignè.

He quoted world-class navigator Mark Rudiger as saying he had never seen a yacht club location of its calibre anywhere in the world.

Mr Rudiger's opinion has been echoed by a host of internationally renowned seamen, as well as world-famous photographer Carlo Borlenghi, who, despite having travelled the world and seen it all, marvelled at the yacht club's location, facing the unique Valletta cityscape.

Mr Bonello DuPuis said Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech was assisting in the coordination of the move to the alternative club premises - still on Manoel Island, but down the hill in a "less majestic", new, two-storey building, which the government was also helping to build.

"The sad thing is that nobody has yet come up with another use for the area the yacht club occupies today," the commodore said.

He envisaged problems when the whole island would be turned into a giant construction site, while the yacht club should be hosting prestigious events.

The move away from its current location could result in the Malta events, including the possible 2005 Admiral's Cup, losing some of their appeal, he said.

"Just losing the premises could deal a blow to the stature of the club, which impresses every foreigner," Mr Bonello DuPuis said.

Meanwhile, the 24th edition of the 2003 Rolex Middle Sea Race, which has seen a record number of entries - 47 from 13 countries up from 42 last year, is about to cast off.

Among the entries is Zaraffa, the 65-foot IMS racer, which has opted to focus its attention on the prestigious New York to Hamburg Transatlantic Race and would be competing in the equally challenging Sydney-Hobart race, putting the Rolex Middle Sea Race on a par with them, Mr Bonello DuPuis said.

The 90-foot super maxi Alfa Romeo, the fastest boat in the world, has also chosen the Rolex Middle Sea Race to be its last goal in its European campaign, having done every offshore event in the Mediterranean and Europe.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted the likes of world-famous sailor Tony Bullimore and his 100-foot giant catamaran. He is renowned for having been stuck under his capsized vessel for five days in the glacial Southern Ocean. Team Pimsic has already broken several records around the world.

"The participants and quality of the boats are second to none," Mr Bonello DuPuis said, adding that 11 Maltese yachts are also participating.

The first inshore, coastal race to Filfla was held yesterday, with an array of the world's finest sailors and sleekest sailing yachts flaunting their prowess.

Today's 27-mile course is around Comino, followed by a day of rest tomorrow before the 607-mile offshore race round Sicily and back starts on Saturday at 11 a.m.