A classic regatta decked with a touch of local colour

In any competition it is the participants that ultimately set standards and it is only through the presence of the famous and talented that eventually exclusive and reputed events are established.

A point in case is the Rolex Middle Sea Race, now widely recognised as one of the prime events on the international sailing circuit.

Undoubtedly, the association of Rolex as title sponsors in 2002 has given the event added exposure and a standing of excellence as partners in a calendar of some 150 top sport and cultural events patronised by a name that is acknowledged for its philosophy of quality and achievement.

But since its inception in 1968 the 606-nautical mile RMSR has enticed to its fold talented skippers and famous yachts who throughout the past 31 editions contributed to give this offshore classic an identity, such as that cherished by renowned races on the global scene.

Skippers and yachts the likes of Dutchman Cornelious Bruynzeel (Stormvogel), Bermuda’s Warren Brown (War Baby), Italian Enrico Recchi (Benbow), Australian J.D. Kahlbetzer (Bumblebee IV), Argentine Alberto Roemmers (Alexia B), Greek Peter Goulandris (Mania), Germany’s Albert Buell (Saudade), New Zealander Neville Crichton (Alfa Romeo), British Andres Soriano (Alegre), French Eric Tabarly (Penduik III), Slovenian Igor Simcic (Esimit Europa) and American Bryon Ehrhart (Lucky), just to mention a selection of cosmopolitan participants.

But the MSR was also immediately acclaimed by local amateur yachtsmen.

In 1968, there were eight starters of which only one was Maltese. Last year, there were 75 boats, 11 of which were Maltese-skippered and crewed.

One tends to focus mainly on foreign yachts and skippers when reviewing the list of participants. But in reality how important is the local participation for the RMSR itself?

“No local entry could be called “professional,” observed Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis.

“We campaign as ‘Corinthians’ and, as Commodore of the club I am very proud of the efforts our members put into their campaigns. Our talent has surfaced to the very top on many occasions and we have either won or made a very second close many times.

“We consider the RMSR as our ‘Sailing Everest’ and due credit is given to those few locals who have conquered her.”

Arthur Podesta is a fitting example of local enthusiasm towards the RMSR.

He enjoys an ever-present participation record – 31 races – and looks upon the race with great excitement today as he felt 40 years ago.

“I still get the adrenalin rush and the butterflies during the pre-start. My enthusiasm is undiminished and is now stimulated by the involvement of my children who race with me and form the core of my crew,” he said.

Having won as crew in 1968 (Josian), 1970 (Tikka) and 1983 (Saudade), Podesta came close to winning as a skipper in 2008 (Elusive), finishing third overall.

So, Podesta on Elusive 2, a Beneateu First45, will take to sea again. Ironically, at the end of the coming race the total number of RMSRs sailed by his children, if added together, would match their father’s superb record – Maya and Aaron would have raced 11 each with Christophe recording his 10th – 32 races.

Christian Ripard is possibly the local yachtsman with the second highest number of participation.

In fact, he has done 22 RMSRs, the first in 1978 at the age of 17. He even savoured the magic of victory – in 1996 on Bigfoot and in 2001 on Strait Dealer. The latter was even more ‘tasteful’ as then he even won Line Honours.

Ripard also has to his credit a lifetime of worldwide racing. To date, this year alone he has raced some 5,000nm, featuring on the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (628nm), the RORC Caribbean 600 (600nm), the St Maarten Heineken Regatta (85nm), the Transatlantic Race (2,975nm) and the Rolex Fastnet Race (608nm), all ocean races at the highest international level.

In these races he was part of a crew and his job was primary helmsman. This year, Ripard will again join Lee Satariano as co-skipper on the latter’s 12.19m J/122 yacht Artie hoping to go one step better than 2010 where they won second place overall and first in class.

For Satariano this will be his seventh RMSR where he also placed second overall and first in class in 2006.

Sandro Musu will be looking forward to his ninth participation which started in 2002 as crew but he has now been at the helm of his 12m Grand Soleil 40 Aziza since 2004 for seven consecutive races.

Musu finished fifth overall and first Maltese under IMS in 2004.

Edward Gatt Floridia raced five editions of the MSR (2004-2008) as crew to Bonello DuPuis onboard Primadonna and last year on Escape.

In 2009 he made his debut as skipper and last year was joined by his brother Aaron on their Beneteau 11.19m Otra Vez.

For the 32nd edition, the Gatt Floridia brothers will be racing on their 12.19m J122 which upholds the same name of their previous boat Otra Vez.

Jonas Diamantino’s yacht is a 12.48m Judel Vrojlik ILC 40 (modified for IRC) named Comanche Raider II Gasan Mamo Insurance.

Diamantino has to his credit ten MSRs where his best results were a second in class ORC, third in class IRC, and 12th overall in 2010. He also experienced a number of international regattas – the Valencia IMS World Championships and the Copa Del Rey in 2000, and the ISAF World Sailing Games J-80 in 2002.

Indeed, 31 editions of an inspiring story, with an international cast of determined and passionate performers, which produced an array of super winners.

Going through the list of winners by nationality, Italy prides itself of 14 victories with Nello Mazzaferro (Nita IV) taking pleasure in registering a unique three consecutive RMSR wins (1978, 1979 and 1980).

The next country in line is Malta with five triumphs which represent the achievements of the Ripard family: 1968 John Ripard Sr (Josian), 1970 John Ripard Sr (Tikka), 1996 Christian Ripard (Bigfoot), 2001 Christian Ripard (Strait Dealer) and 2002 John Ripard Jr and Andrew Calascione (Market Wizard).

The list of success continues with the USA winning four trophies, France, Germany and the UK with two each and a win apiece for Austria and Greece.

The most prestigious honours are the RMSR Trophy Winner, the RMSR Line Honours Trophy and the RMSR Course Record Trophy.

However, one trophy with great significance and value is the RMSR Youth Cup presented to the youngest crew member on board.

A trophy introduced four years ago by the Ministry of Education meant for budding 15-16 year-olds who move a great step upward in their sailing ambitions and crew during this daring challenge – a meaningful recognition to local sailing where three of the past four winners were Maltese – 2007 Matthew Scicluna (Maltese Falcon), 2009 Sean Borg (Strait Dealer) and 2010 Thomas Zammit Tabona (Elusive).

Considering the standing the RMSR has attained, is there further enhancement you would like to endow this classic race with?

“What we have achieved in the past 11 years is truly amazing. We have invested heavily, especially in web design and with our on board tracking solutions. The event is there… it’s one of those that need to be ticked off every sailor’s list. There are loads more sailors around the globe that still need to achieve conquering this race so I expect that the numbers will remain high for the next few years,” Commodore Bonello DuPuis believes.

So, the scenery is set for another daring ‘expedition to conquer the Middle Sea Everest’. The “professional” will be again in good numbers with the “Corinthians” passionately aiming high to make this edition a worthy contest.