Skippers opt for single non-stop event

With a reputation as one of the toughest races organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the Malta Maritime Gattopardo Offshore Race will this year start tomorrow at 8.30 a.m.

From the outset, the 10-boat fleet will leave Marsamxett Harbour through the South Comino Channel in the direction of the island of Lampedusa and then to Linosa and finally to the finish at Marsamxett Harbour.

Following a preference by many of the skippers of the fleet, this will be a single non-stop event in the usual traditional course of the MMA Gattopardo race which is approximately a 220 nautical miles-plus.

Participating boats will be split into two classes, category three. All yacht owners must ensure that the required safety standards for an offshore race are reached.

The non-stop nature of offshore racing does make it more probable that the big boats win in this type of racing but there are always exceptions. A well-designed boat, well skippered, and smart tactics with regards to the weather, are all key to success.

Nowadays, prospective local participants in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which incidentally will be the 25th edition this year, take the opportunity to test both the boat and the crew teamwork.

But as those who have sailed this one over the years have discovered, it is never the same from one year to another. It's a tough one, with the best brains of top-notch crews having another go at each other's wits to get this one.

Participating boats

1. Allegra, A. Manduca; 2. Artie, L. Satariano; 3. Bordeaux 3, W. Carbonaro; 4. Commanche Raider, J. Diamantino; 5. Escape, J. Merten; 6. Jammin, J.J. Ripard, A. Calascione; 7. Maltese Falcon, M. Scicluna; 8. Primavera, C. Saliba; 9. Strait Dealer; 10. Wet Blue, M. Montanaro Gauci.