Thousands of spectators lined the Valletta bastions to witness the start of the 35th Rolex Middle Sea Race, yesterday. In all, 122 yachts started the race, a new record for the offshore race in the Mediterranean.
Under blue skies and brilliant sunshine, the international fleet of yachts from 24 different countries set off on the 608-nautical mile race. The light winds made for a calm, almost serene, start but this race is always full of changes and a variety of conditions are forecast over the coming days.
Jamie Sammut, racing his Maltese Solaris 42, Unica, summed up the passion just after the start.
“We were very nervous, this is such a huge occasion, the size of the fleet was just amazing and we were filled with pride that Malta is hosting such a great yacht race,” he said.
“The emotions definitely affected us and we didn’t get a good start but we settled down and got into our rhythm.
“Just after we left Grand Harbour, we were joined by a big pod of dolphins and I am sure it will not be the last time that our friends will join us in this race.
“After all our preparations, it is a relief to get going on what I am sure will be a great adventure.”
Due to the size of the fleet, the race was split into five starts. The fleet enjoyed centre stage applauded by a lively crowd, which lined the 16th century bastions synonymous with the walled city of Valletta.
The 28 yachts racing in IRC 5 had the honour of starting first and there were 33 boats racing in IRC 4 in the second wave.
The IRC 4 formed the largest start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, yesterday.
Two highly successful Maltese yachts started well, Lee Satariano’s J/122, Artie judged the line to perfection to lead from the outset. Aaron Gatt Floridia’s J/122, Otra Vez was not far behind and chose to make for the bastions forming the Lower Barrakka.
Otra Vez found an extra puff of wind to challenge their Maltese rivals.
Of the 25 yachts racing in IRC 3 and in the third start, Josef Schultheis and Timmy Camilleri’s XP-ACT Banks Sails took off in the middle of the line but stalled for speed, having been caught in the wind shadow of Riccardo Pavoncelli’s powerful Italian Swan 651, Gaetana.
This was arguably the most competitive start of the morning as the 12 Pounder at the Saluting Battery blasted at the start.
The 26 entries in IRC 2 formed the penultimate group, with the majority of the yachts now downwind of the start line. The air was less disturbed and although the southerly breeze was very shifty, signs of more significant breeze could be seen on the water.
Last year’s overall winner Italian TP52, B2, skippered by Michele Galli with Francesco de Angelis as tactician, led the class out of the harbour, closely followed by Jens Kel-linghusen’s German Ker 51, Varuna.
The ten fastest yachts taking part produced an impressive closing set for the start of the 2014 Rolex MSR.
Igor Simcic’s maxi, Esimit Europa 2, with Jochen Schuemann at the helm, was a magnificent sight. However, Niklas Zennstrom’s Maxi 72, Ran V, got away to the best start and led the big-boat class out of the harbour, just in front of Esimit.
By the afternoon, the fleet of yachts was making good progress towards the southwest corner of Sicily, preparing for a fascinating and tactical first night of racing.
Esimit was leading the fleet on the water at that juncture and expected to pass Mount Etna before sunset.