Rolex Middle Sea Race takes off

A total of 78 yachtsfrom 20 countries are taking part in the 29th Rolex Middle Sea Race which started this morning.

The 607-nautical mile race with a reputation as the Mediterranean's answer to the Rolex Fastnet, the Newport Bermuda and the Rolex Sydney Hobart, includes the participation of 12 boats from Malta.

For the first race in 1968, eight yachts had set off onto a virtual voyage into the unknown. Stormvogel (GBR) the Line Honours winner in that race is back again, after an absence of 38 years providing a link to the origins of this race.

Royal Malta Yacht Club president John Ripard is another link to the beginning. Mr Ripard had skippered the 36-foot Josian to victory four decades ago, and whilst he thinks it is hard to compare yesteryear with today, he feels the race in essence remains the same challenge.

This year's notables include the likes of Francesco de Angelis, Gavin Brady, Will Oxley, Justin Clougher, Matt Humphreys, Guido Maisto, Ehud Gal and Adrian Stead - all sailors proven in the sport.

And the fleet has its share of race boats - with the STP 65s Rosebud and Moneypenny, both from the USA and Alegre (GBR) the pick of the mini maxis, the TP52 Ran (GBR), the Cookson 50 Lee Overlay Partners (IRE) and the Veolia Oceans Bostik (FRA) hold the middle ground, whilst Boxx (SLO) and Orca (GBR) are Class 40s flying the small boat flag.

The Maltese yachts competing in this year’s race are AirMalta Falcon (Jackie Scicluna); Aziza (Sandro Musu); Artie GO (Lee Satariano); Bavaria Flyer (Anthony Camilleri); Elusive Medbank (Arthur Podesta); Escape (Georges Bonello DuPuis); Gasan Mamo Comanche Raider II (Jonas Diamentino); Lazy Duck (John Ripard Jr); Strait Dealer (David Franks); Ton Ton (Jonathan Gambin); Vikesha (Tim Camilleri); and Windriven (Ivan Mallia).

The current course record of 47 hours 55 minutes and 3 seconds was established by George David's Rambler (USA) in 2007.