With only a few weeks away from the start of this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race, the number of entries are stacking up – 77 so far and still counting.

So, there is still time to establish a new record for this 33rd edition since the first race of 1968 when only eight boats were on the line.

The edition of 2008 had the biggest fleet with 78 boats.

The 2012 entry already has a good mixture of at least 10 mini maxis and three fast maxi boats – Med Spirit (Russia), Plis Play (Spain) and Lupa of London (UK).

There is also a good bunch of small- and medium-sized boats, hailing from 16 countries.

Among others, there will be 19 Italian boats in the 2012 race with 13 UK-registered and 10 Russians.

Line Honours winners in the last two years, Esimit Europa, are expected to join the maxi fleet for another attempt at the record and title.

Actually, the big boats’ aim is to get a grip on the Triple Crown – reaching port first, beating the 2008 record, which at present belongs to US maxi Rambler (47hr55m3secs), and claim the overall MRS Trophy and the famous Rolex watches.

However, this race is so unpredictable that small boats in the past have proven a harder nut to crack than most would like to believe.

With the course tending to blow either hot or cold and rarely in between, some highly-rated skippers still are perceptive not to participate due to its tough reputation of damaging short sharp swells.

But, the majority still reckon that this Mediterranean classic must figure on their calendar as MSR participation means full accomplishment in world offshore racing.

Meanwhile, four separate starts will mark the shoot-off at Valletta’s majestic Grand Harbour on October 20 with the traditional roaring gun sounds at 11 a.m. sharp from the historical cannons of the Saluting Battery in Upper Barrakka.

Godwin Zammit, the Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore, seems to be well contended with such a high number of entries.

“This is a pleasant problem for us having so many foreign boats coming once more for our race,” he said.

“We are always prepared for such a high number of entries and we have also been planning all the required logistics of this event to be ready for any eventuality. Our priority is to accommodate all boats in safe berthing and offer our usual Maltese hospitality to one and all.”

It has already been confirmed that Television Malta will again cover the Rolex Middle Sea Race start live for a sixth consecutive year.