After racing over 600 miles, the J/122 Artie crossed the finish line at 15.22 yesterday, eight minutes in front of Jaru Team EC, a J/133, and, in doing so, was the first Maltese boat home in this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race.
That finish also put the local entry, co-skippered by Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard, ahead of Rán as overall handicap leader.
However, the crew of Artie will have to cool their heels on the Royal Malta Yacht Club terrace as they wait to see if any boat still racing might be able to beat them on handicap.
A formal announcement of the overall winner will be made today at noon although Artie should be declared this year’s winners.
Owner Lee Satariano was clearly relieved to beat his local rivals home.
“It was very achievable because we worked very hard,” he said.
“The crew has been preparing the boat for several months, we even have a new sail wardrobe. Being the first Maltese boat gives us a big satisfaction because the local competition is very, very big.”
As for the possibility of an overall victory, he was more cautious and said: “The competition is growing every year. In the past we’ve had two second place finishes; we hope this third time is even better.”
Ripard said: “It’s a great feeling. We ended up doing most of the race alongside or crossing tacks with Jaru. It’s nearly a re-run of last year, though this time we managed to beat them.”
Ripard has done the race many times before, but clearly rates this year’s contest.
“This was a very enjoyable one,” he said.
“When you race on a maxi you tend to be on your own, but when you’re with the smaller boats, then you really have a race on. You’re crossing tacks with foreign boats, with local boats – it was one of the most enjoyable ones for me.”
As to whether Artie will claim the overall winner’s title, Ripard cautioned: “Don’t count your chickens too early, we’ll wait and see. But I hope so, we did our best.”
Meanwhile, Chris Opielok’s AOC Rockall (GER) was one boat that seemed to have Artie in their sights.
The Corby 36 was well sailed all the way around the course, but their chances seemed tenuous when Opielok called in yesterday afternoon.
“We’re very close to the channel. At the moment we’re in a sort of wind hole, and it could be that we’re going to miss it. We think we will be beaten by Rán, Artie and Otra Vez,” Opielok said.
Opielok’s prediction would bear out as the German entry crossed the finish at 17.59, missing out on catching Artie by less than half an hour.
Yesterday, there were 30 boats still racing, some just north of Lam-pedusa and the bulk on the leg between Lampedusa and the finish.
The breeze on the racecourse was variable in speed and direction yesterday, indicating another challenging night at sea.