When the force is not with you...

With some of the world's most technologically advanced racing Maxis among the 68-strong fleet entered for this year's Rolex Middle Sea Race, it seemed inconceivable that the record time for the 608-mile course would stand for another year.

Robert McNeill's Zephyrus IV put down a mark of 64 hours 49 minutes and 57 seconds, representing an average speed of 9.44 knots, and that was back in 2000.

Six years is a long time at the cutting edge of yacht design but then again, even supermaxis need wind to propel them through the water!

In spite of the frustration, the beauty of the course, the challenges of the Mediterranean and the great hospitality of the Royal Malta Yacht Club all contributed to very positive comments from the top sailors taking part - ensuring that many will come back for another attempt.

Bouwe Bekking, the round-the-world skipper who raced aboard Hasso Plattner's Morning Glory, was surprised and overjoyed to win the race on handicap.

"It was a beautiful race, I enjoyed it. The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a fantastic offshore event. You get the great hospitality of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, who do everything to make you feel welcome. The organisation was perfect. Out on the race course, there are so many opportunities. There are lots of tactical options. But a lot of this racing is down to whether you get the luck of the gods. We sailed well, and we had the luck too."

Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo eventually finished the course in three days, some 10 hours outside the record.

"We're pleased to win (line honours) but also pretty disappointed," said Mr Crichton, who was thwarted for a third time in his ambition to lower the course record.

"We seemed to find every parking spot on the track. We had a big lead at Stromboli and again at Palermo, but the other two Maxis (Thuraya Maximus and Morning Glory) seemed to carry the wind better down the back of Sicily."

Thuraya Maximus, skippered on this occasion by Paul Cayard, and Hasso Plattner's Morning Glory were engaged in a match race since the start line.

Thuraya Maximus eventually crossed the line just 15 minutes in front of Morning Glory.

"We passed each other so many times, it definitely gave the race some more intensity," said Mr Cayard, looking somewhat tired.

"This race can be frustrating, it's a very challenging race."

By contrast Hasso Plattner appeared to have loved every moment of his race aboard Morning Glory.

"It's warm, it's great around the island, and you're never out of the race. Every corner you turn and it starts again. We had a fantastic race against Maximus. Each corner, it was hello, good morning, and let's start the race again."

Maltese J/109 Artie and the British J/105 Slingshot came close, but not quite close enough as they missed beating Morning Glory's time by about two hours and respectively finished second and third overall.

Artie's skipper Lee Satariano and his young crew - average age 25 - were nevertheless delighted.

"We were a very inexperienced crew but what we did well was keep our motivation all the way through the race. We didn't sleep for the last two days. Everyone works well together, I really enjoy the team we brought together for this race."

J/105 Slingshot was sailed by a team of just two, skipper Shaun Murphy and Ric Searle. Mr Murphy feels that fewer crew brings many advantages although he conceded: "What would have worked out better is if we could have sailed the first part of the race doublehanded and the last 36 hours fully crewed. We lacked the weight on the rail to be able to sail fast in the stronger breeze, and that might have been the difference between winning and losing."