Looking back over waves of enchanted memories

The 1978 edition of Spinnaker, the sailing magazine I used to publish on the occasion of the Middle Sea Race, featured an interview to highlight a particular feat.

This was related to a record established by Arthur Podestà who had then sailed in all past ten editions of the epic race. That record was further enhanced with other significant characteristics. Podestà sailed each of the ten editions always on a different boat, he was crew on the overall winning boat twice (Josian, in 1968, and Tikka, II in 1970).

In 1978 he was crew on Mistress Quickly, line honours winner. On that 10th edition Mistress Quickly also established a new record time of 79.34.92 hours.

Podestà's last statement in that interview was... "I sincerely hope to have the opportunity of competing in the next ten races".

Indeed, he went even beyond that. For last month, at the helm of his 45-footer Elusive, Podestà raced his 24th Rolex Middle Sea Race, setting up an ever-present record.

Recently, I met Podestà again and had a most interesting chat on his sailing memoirs.

How did you become associated with boats?
My father had a boat before I was born. Ever since I can remember boats played a great role in my upbringing. I always had my little canoe.

Indeed, at a very young age, I had converted a rowing boat into a sailing dinghy, well before sailing dinghies, the way we know them today, were thought of.

What type of sailing yachts was available then on the local scene?
Up to the age of 14, I only raced on small boats, particularly on the Swordfish and the International 14 Class. Some Firefly were also available then.

As for the larger yachts, there was a small fleet of seven boats of the 30m2, which were used by the Army, Navy and Air Force officers.

I remember five by name - Saluki, Skua, Flanden, Angela and Suna. These 30-Squares, as they were referred to, were windfalls from Germany. There were also some privately-owned boats among which were Sylla (Paul Ripard) and Rosanna (George Fiorini Lowell).

How did your participation in the MSR come about?
The first MSR was in 1968 and by then the number of offshore yachts had increased substantially.

With Jimmy White, Alan Green, Paul and John Ripard and others I attended the very first meeting at which Jimmy White proposed to the RMYC that a long offshore race should be held in the Mediterranean and organised from Malta.

The race was to be equal in distance to the famous Fastnet Race, which is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club of London. The present course was proposed and accepted.

The first race was set for November 1968 and eight yachts participated. It was a foregone conclusion that I would be one of John Ripard's crew on Josian. This was six years after I experienced my first offshore race, the Malta-Syracuse Race, on Paul Ripard's Sylla.

Was any special training done for the first MSR and has this approach changed over the years?
Unfortunately, very little training was done for the first MSR, and it was because of the lack of training that it was a very tough race indeed. It was a winter race and we had no experience of how to handle the cold weather, we had no experience of how to organise food and enough of it. In fact, although we won the first MSR, it was the longest, (it took eight days) and we ran out of food and water.

I clearly remember that the last 'meal' was tomato sauce thickened with porridge. By comparison to the first MSR, today we know how to cater exactly for food and other requisites, we know exactly what clothes to take and we start our training about two or three months before.

The participation of world-renowned yachts is an important factor but do you consider it of discouragement to local entries?
Participation of world renowned yachts is by far the most important factor for the race itself. These yachts have the best crews, some of whom even took part in the America's Cup. These yachts attract the international media who report the event world-wide and encourage other yacht owners to eventually come to Malta to participate.

As for discouraging the local entries, I believe that it does just the opposite. I personally feel most satisfied even to be able to participate on a level ground with famous yachts, let alone to place reasonably well and indeed to beat some of them on corrected time. Local entries have always done well and have even won in five out of 24 events.

Was the evolution in design and power of racing yachts evident on the MSR start line?
Very much so. I guess that yachts in the 2003 cruiser class are faster than the hottest yacht in the 1968 edition.

Many well-known yachtsmen have described the MSR course as wonderful, yet tough. Which are the event's characteristics that justify these opinions?
Undoubtedly the MSR has many major qualities to justify its description by many internationally known yachtsmen. To begin with, the MSR starts and finishes in Malta and the traditional hospitality which these yachtsmen receive fills them with enthusiasm.

During the 600-mile plus course one is hardly away from seeing land for more than a few hours, the course includes two active volcanoes one of which is a mark of the course, the passage through the Straits of Messina is challenging, mythical and interesting, the list is endless.

You have encountered all sorts of weather. When were the two extremes 'calm and frustrating' and 'rough and frightful'?
The weather in October can be most unpredictable, the sea is still relatively warm and the cold winter air-streams are very much a reality.

Although this year we did not have any major storm, we did have force 7s for quite some time and also a touch of force 8 winds.

The worst scenario for this year was the fluctuating wind force from about force 3 to 7/8, which necessitated the continual change of sails to suit the wind speed. This was very tiring and hard on the crew and made the responsibility of decision-making even greater.

In past MSRs we have had frightening situations when the wind blew in excess of force 9. This builds up very large waves and the race can become a matter of survival rather than racing. In such situations the decision-makers on any yacht could look for the shelter of an island, a headland or indeed a safe harbour.

At the other end of the scale, it is most frustrating when there is no wind. Very often this situation is associated with a swell (sometimes large) left over when the wind dies down. In these circumstances, there is nothing one can do, except minimise the damage that can be done to the yacht because of the violent movement that the swell creates.

You are now involving your children in the MSR. What does this mean to you?
I am so grateful to my father who passed on to me his love for the sea that I feel it is imperative for me to do likewise for my children.

My love for the sea has, over the past years, kept me involved and occupied and particularly out of trouble. Keeping my children involved in the MSR and sailing in general will, I am sure, keep them on the right track.

In my opinion it is so important that youngsters involve themselves in sport, it does not need to be sailing... any sport will do to keep our young ones healthy, disciplined and away from mischief.

As skipper, having a young crew is very satisfying. They are most active and eager to do all the jobs that sailing entails.

How important is the MSR for Malta's aspiration to become a major yachting hub?
I think the MSR is most beneficial. In fact, it is events of this calibre that help to Malta in its quest to become a major yachting hub.

The MSR attracts famous yachts and affluent owners. These high-ranking yachtsmen can be most instrumental in passing on the right word about Malta in their business circles.

The MSR has over the years had a very large following... the Rolex involvement over the past two years has increased interest by far.

This year, at one stage during the race, there were over 40,000 hits on the MSR website.

Surely this is a very positive contribution to Malta in general and to yachting in particular.

What future do you foresee for the MSR?
Yacht design is continually developing and the rate new yachts are being built is on the increase. This alone augurs well for continued interest, particularly from the point of view of record breaking.

The next MSR shall be the 25th edition and both the RMYC and Rolex are working hard to make it a memorable occasion.

There is one problem that the MSR could be facing though. Marina space is restricted.

More space is required to allow all participating yachts to be grouped together. Unless there is sound co-operation both from the authorities as well as from the local yachting fraternity, the MSR will suffer.

My last remark is based on your final statement of 25 years ago... I sincerely wish you the opportunity of competing in the next ten races.

Well, on my part I would love to be still around then for a third interview!