Expert skippers add more spice to Med. classic

The last week heading to the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a hectic period for both organisers and participants. The race headquarters, at Manoel Island, where the Royal Malta Yacht Club is situated, is a hive of activity with sailors and officials looking to complete their preparations.

This year was no exception but with the Rolex sponsorship now in its fourth year the numbers have consistently grown and the presence of high-profile seafarers is becoming more familiar at this time of the year.

Last year, many thought that the 58-boat entry would be hard to emulate. Conditions were not really ideal to tackle the anti-clockwise 608-mile Mediterranean classic that rounds Sicily before passing Pantelleria and Lampedusa on the way back to Marsamxett. Several boats failed to reach the finish line and, indeed, the omens for 2006 did not look good.

However, the race allure never diminished ever since that first edition way back in 1968. In fact, another entry record was established this year with some 72 boats expected on the line this morning before the 11 a.m. take-off from the historic surroundings of the Valletta bastions.

With the fleet having reached such high numbers, and with supermaxis such as Alfa Romeo, Morning Glory and Thuraya-Maximus jostling for position, the race organisers had considered moving the start further offshore.

"Our club president, John Ripard, was speaking to Alfa Romeo owner Neville Crichton recently to get his opinion, and Neville said don't even think about changing the start area. It's part of what makes this such a unique event," Commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis said this week.

The race's reputation is set to grow significantly this year with the presence of expert skippers such as Paul Cayard, Sebastian Josse and Mike Sanderson, among others.

Malta race debut

Cayard needs no introduction to the sailing world. He is a seven-times world champion, a five-time America's Cup veteran and two-time Olympian. This will be his first race starting and finishing in Malta.

"I've travelled and sailed almost all over the world," he said, "but, strangely, I never had the chance to race in this region before.

"I was in Malta two years ago and was impressed with what I saw.

"So, when the occasion came to be in this year's race I could not turn down the offer."

Cayard will be on board New Zealand maxi Thuraya-Maximus.

"Alfa Romeo will be fast, no doubt," he said.

"They start favourites for line honours but we've got a fantastic crew on Thuraya-Maximus and we can challenge them all the way.

"Breaking the course's record will be difficult if the conditions are not good. The weather is so unpredictable."

At present, the current race record belongs to Zephyrus IV - 64 hours, 49 minutes and 57 seconds. This was set in 2000. That timing represents an impressive average speed of 9.44 knots.

Sanderson, on board Volvo Ocean Race winner ABN AMRO ONE, has already analysed the forecasts. The prospects do not seem bright.

"From what we managed to gather it seems that the current record is set to stand," he said.

"We need winds of around nine knots to set a new mark but it is highly unlikely we're going to get that. Pity, our boat was built for fast winds mainly.

"We heard so much about the Middle Sea Race before and decided to take part since we were training close by."

Josse, co-skipper on ABN AMRO ONE, had words of praise for the organisers.

"I've been to several places before but I've never seen the same treatment that the Maltese are offering crews here," he said.

"They've got everything planned and in place. I heard that the popularity of the MSR is gaining in momentum... I'm not really surprised with that because the set-up looks professional."

The major boats in the local scene will be in the 2006 MSR. With a handicap time system adopted by the RMYC, no one is giving up hope of overall victory.

Arthur Podesta, a former club commodore, will race his 27th consecutive MSR - a unique achievement.

The Maltese boats are: 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).