Updated: Rolex Middle Sea Race takes off from Grand Harbour

A total of 69 yachts representing 20 nations set off on the 30th Rolex Middle Sea Race race this morning from Grand Harbour. To the sound of gunfire from the Saluting Battery, the biggest fleet to depart Malta since the Turks left at the end of the...

A total of 69 yachts representing 20 nations set off on the 30th Rolex Middle Sea Race race this morning from Grand Harbour.

To the sound of gunfire from the Saluting Battery, the biggest fleet to depart Malta since the Turks left at the end of the Great Siege set off on its 606 nautical mile adventure.

Crowds filled every vantage point on the southern side of Valletta and thoughts of heavy weather were far from the spectators minds as Grand Harbour laid on the perfect morning for the watching crowds gathered to cheer on the departing fleet.

Peter Dimech, principal race officer for the Royal Malta Yacht Club, divided the yachts into five starts, with the smallest boats at 11 a.m. to the resounding crash of a 24-pounder cannon, manned by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna volunteers dressed in 19th century Royal Malta Artillery uniform.

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