All positive says Commodore

Vantage points in the Grand Harbour will be packed with spectators this morning for the start of the 30th Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The impressive fleet will be jostling for positions at the historic port ahead of the start of this year's race that takes crews on an arduous 600nm itinerary towards the southern tip of Sicily before returning home via Pantelleria and Lampedusa.

Over the past few years, the MSR has grown steadily in stature. A quick glance at the list of participants this year further strengthens that belief.

Italy's Luna Rossa have two outstanding sailors on board, Torbin Grael and Robert Schedt, former Olympic medal winners.

Five-time world champion Dee Smith, winner of the Admiral's Cup and the Copa De Rey, will be on board US entry Bella Mente.

Italian Francesco De Angelis, winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup on Luna Rossa, will be on Beau Geste while Tim Powell and Adrian Stedt, who also boast America's Cup and Ocean Volvo Race experience, will be on Ran 2, the boat ranked among the favourites for MSR Line Honours this year.

Among the local entries, Arthur Podesta will be stretching his proud record of competing in all 29 MSRs held so far. This time, he skippers his new Elusive II.

Organising the race requires a huge effort from the Royal Malta Yacht Club but this year Commodore Georges Bonello Du Puis has decided to stay ashore. He will be in control of proceedings from the sailing organisation's new headquarters in Ta' Xbiex.

"This has been a stressful year," Bonello Du Puis told The Times.

"Over the past 12 months, we have dedicated all our energies to make sure the club caters for the race from Ta' Xbiex. Luckily, we managed that and the feedback so far has been very positive."

Bonello Du Puis said that he is positively surprised with this year's entry list, almost equal to last year's record entry of 78 despite the global crisis.

"Given the current economic downturn, I initially thought we would struggle this year," he remarked.

"But I was off the mark. This year, we have the widest range of boats ever taking part in this race. The best mini maxis on the sailing circuit at present are here. In fact, Gianfranco Albani, the secretary of the International Maxi Class Association, has made the trip for the race.

"We did some effective promotion and, again, the feedback was positive."

Bonello Du Puis and the club won't rest on their laurels, though, despite the encouraging entry list.

"We always said that we can attract a wider range of boats. Class 40 are not popular visitors here and in that particular area there is the potential of attracting 35-40 other boats," he remarked.

"There are also the Figaros but to get them here it's even more difficult as the MSR is not on their calendar. However, if we work on the strategy we have in mind we could manage to force ourselves into their plans."

Bonello Du Puis puts in a lot of passion in all he does at the club. He mulled retirement earlier this year but then had a change of heart.

"I was planning to take a break," he said.

"But before long I realised that sailing has now become an integral part of my life. I spend lots of hours at the club and the satisfaction I derive from seeing this race so successful is beyond description... it drives me on year after year.

"I was also planning to race this year but then opted out as I wanted to make sure that the new club house was ready and race preparations wouldn't have to suffer. I have no regrets about staying ashore as I love it here as well."

Bonello Du Puis is already planning new initiatives launched from Ta' Xbiex.

"We are planning to establish a school to breed young sailors. We don't intend to poach others from local clubs but our goal is to target a small group aspiring to race in offshores such as the MSR.

"We also want to lure a big international regatta to our shores and lift the country's profile on the global sailing map. We have also set our sights on the Farr 40 European Championships. Last year we planned to launch a bid but with all the changes we had it was too early, perhaps.

"However, in the coming months I will be stepping up my efforts to try and secure these championships for Malta.

"We have to stay positive... it's a big challenge but we're confident that the club can reach this objective."