Record entry poses berthing problems to organisers

Organisers of the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race are facing a 'pleasant' problem in their build-up for this year's Mediterranean classic. The 74 boats registered so far - an all-time record - have left the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) with limited berthing space to accommodate all.

RMYC Commodore Georges Bonello Du Puis yesterday told reporters that the organising team were not expecting such big numbers for the 2006 race, the 27th since 1968, which starts on October 21 from Marsamxett. However, efforts have been intensified to make sure that all syndicates will have the required facilities.

"Seventy-four boats is a big surprise for everyone here at the club," Bonello Du Puis said.

"During the past few months, we embarked on a profound marketing exercise to try and lure to our shores the best sailing teams in the world. We could not have aspired for a better result even though it has left us with an unexpected problem on accommodation.

"At the moment all berths are fully booked. We have now set up the Manoel Island marina as race headquarters and the place will host 50 yachts. The other entries will be shifted to the Sliema Ferries."

That was not the only difficulty in the organisers' plans though.

"Normally, we provide a tracking device so that the race committee will know exactly the position of each boat during the regatta," Bonello Du Puis said.

"Initially we booked 60 such devices. However, that number has now increased by 14 and our suppliers have just informed us that they cannot supply us with more than 80 for the race. That means there will be a limit on entries this year."

Looking at the race list so far one finds some of the world's fastest boats helmed by a number of high-quality skippers and crew members.

Atalanta II, the 2005 line honours winner and holder of the MSR Trophy, *will be back in Malta to defend their titles under the guidance of Carlo Puri Negri.

Retaining both honours will be difficult though as they face strong opposition from, among others, 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race winners ABN Amro, skippered by Mike Sanderson, Paul Cayard's Maximus Thuraya, and Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo.

Some of the boats are equipped with the latest underwater technology and, if conditions are right, the current race record of Zephyrus IV (64 hours, 49 minutes and 57 seconds) could be in danger of falling for the first time since being established in 2000.

The battle for the MSR Trophy is far more open with the smaller boats vying for the coveted prize thanks to the handicap they enjoy over the bigger boats. So far, there are 11 local boats, all very much upbeat about their chances of success.

The list of Maltese entries include Allegra (Alfie Manduca), Artie (Lee Satariano), Aziza (Sandro Musu), Bordeaux (Willie Carbonaro), Elusive (Arthur Podesta), Geisha (David Pizzuto), Maltese Falcon (Martin Scicluna), Primadonna (Georges Bonello Du Puis), Strait Dealer (David Franks), XL (Simon Camilleri) and Commanche Raider (Jonis Diamantino).

Maltese boats claimed the MSR Trophy five times, each time with a member of the Ripard family on board.

John Ripard lifted the trophy twice, in 1968 (Josian) and two years later on Ticca. In 1996, Christian Ripard steered Big Foot to victory and five years later the same skipper made it two wins, this time on Strait Dealer. In 2002, it was the turn of John Ripard Jr and Andrew Calascione to taste success with Market Wizard.

This year's winners will receive a mini-replica of the trophy, produced by Anton Calleja.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race will be preceded by the Malta Rolex Cup, a two-race inshore series on October 17 and 18.

Meanwhile, the RMYC is still looking to reach an agreement with the authorities over their new premises on Manoel Island.

"We are still looking to finalise discussions over the acquisition of a new area where we will set up our new club," Bonello Du Puis said.

"Negotiations with government officials have been going for a few months now but some of the conditions proposed are unacceptable for us as they go against the interests of the club.

"We're still hoping that a solution is found in the near future."