Although the Rolex Middle Sea Race is not due until October 20, preparations are already under-way as the Royal Malta Yacht Club will be seeking to host another successful edition of the Mediterranean classic.

A good number of boats have already confirmed their entry for a race that is 606 nautical miles long and starts and finishes in Valletta.

As is typical of this race, the entries vary from medium-size production boats to top professional maxis and, so far, they hail from as many as eight countries.

This year’s fleet promises to be at least as varied and interesting as in previous years.

Some of the boats were here before. Valentin Zubkov’s Shipman 63 Coral was one of the first to register followed by Niklas Zenn-strom’s 72-foot racer RAN.

Beppe Bisotto, with Atame, and Filippo Lancellotti, with Sciara, who rarely miss the RMSR, will be back too as other notable entries include Darren Wright’s maxi Idea and Andy Bedgen’s Volvo 70 Monster Project.

The deadline for entry is October 12. Notice of Race may be downloaded from the event’s website.

Last year, four of the five top boats were from Malta with Artie (Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard) winning the prestigious race.

Line honours in 2011 went to Igor Simcic’s Esimit Europa 2.

George David’s Rambler (US) established the current course record of 47 hours 55 minutes and 3 seconds in 2007.