A tale of two races

Being fortunate enough to witness the Sydney-Hobart Race for the second year running, thanks to Emirates Airlines, Teddie Borg finds that the legendary classic offshore 'down under' and the Middle Sea Race, both supported by Rolex, contrast in many a way.

My commitments never cease to share the enthusiasm and energy that pervade sailing, one that differs from racing in the Mediterranean to that of the ocean waves.

But, it is certainly a "tale of two races" having so many similarities to compare. Both courses range just over 600nm with the MSR offering short sharp swells while the Hobart course has the rather killing ocean waves to surmount.

The Sydney-Hobart dates back to the 1940s when only nine boats took off. It was a time when homing pigeons were used to bring in news to a public eager to follow progress along the 630nm course.

The race expanded to become one of the greatest challenges in offshore sailing. The biggest participation was in 1994 - 371 boats to mark the 50th anniversary.

Daring endeavours and the desire to go ocean racing have attracted the most influential skippers to close competition with the high risk of not making the finish.

Six lives were lost and five boats sank in the storm of 1998. Yet, no real yachtsman was ever deterred from wanting to finish a Sydney-Hobart, a notable achievement in itself.

The Middle Sea Race was born 28 years later with only six boats that took more than six days to navigate the 360° course of just over 600nm from Malta to Malta.

Few races are held on a breathtaking course as the MSR, sailing next to no fewer than 20 other islands and two live volcanoes.

Moreover, technology nowadays shortened the time-taking for this course by four days (recorded by maxi Rambler last year).

Until five years ago, the local organisers (including yours truly) struggled to attract 25 boats. Indeed, looking back to the heydays of the 70s, the largest fleet for the Middle Sea Race was 37 yachts in 1972.

Since then there has been a steady rise in entries - 69 last year - thanks to Rolex's influence. Every year, an extraordinary range of super-maxis, such as Zephyrus IV, Alfa Romeo, Sagamore, Atalanta II, ABN Amro, Morning Glory, Maximus and Rambler, participate in this Mediterranean classic.

But now, are we able to accommodate the ever-increasing MSR fleet of calibre, being fully aware of the shortage of berthing places in our harbours, particularly Manoel Island?

Foreign boats

A sharp contrast between the Sydney-Hobart and the MSR is foreign participation.

In 2007, the race in Australia only attracted six boats from the UK, one from the US, one from Mexico and a few from New Zealand.

Our race last year attracted no fewer than 55 foreign entries from 12 different countries.

Both starts, in Sydney and Valletta, take off from within the respective harbours. The Royal Malta Yacht Club is housed on the ramparts of the 18th century Fort Manoel with a view over Marsamxett harbour with its massive bastions.

This forms the impressive setting for the loudest starting gunshot noise, aptly known as the 'Bastion Blast', to signal all five separate starts of the Middle Sea Race.

It's all spectacle and splendour especially more so when, at times, it's a spinnaker start. Working their way out of the narrow harbour points, flashing their colours almost scratching next to the bastions, is an unforgettable sight.

I reckon Sydney Harbour somehow resembles ours with its inlets but is many times over larger than Marsamxett.

Sydney stops on Boxing Day so that the million-plus spectators that throng the vast waterfronts can watch the rainbow-like departures.

Signalling the two separate starts with just one gunshot, the armada spreads with madness as the Sydney-Hobart fleet fills the harbour for a colossal start. Apart from that, more colour is added by thousands of other boats that trail the racers on their way out into the open sea.

Once out at sea, both the MSR Mediterranean Classic and the Ocean Super Race become random contests.

It is the fear of the unknown in the Sydney-Hobart race that adds to its allure. On the hand, the MSR has become one of the mythical names for those who sail in the region.

Tradition, passion and style make these two offshore classics an attraction around the world as leading sailors are fully aware of the prestigious honour to rank among the winners in the two famous venus - Sydney and Valletta.

Certainly, a tale of two races and two cities.