Esimit Europa 2 came on the sailing scene earlier this year, and has been gobbling up trophies ever since... Line Honours winner at the Giraglia Rolex Cup, a class win at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and a new course record at the Barcolana race.

The Slovenian boat, skippered by Flavio Flavini and with a crew of professional Italian sailors, will be among the main protagonists in this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The crew have been held ashore the last few days, repairing electronic equipment, heavily damaged by lightning last Monday on the delivery to Malta.

Tactician Tiziano Nava reviewed the weather conditions they are expecting.

“The forecast talks about light conditions of 8-12 knots at the start. We expect the new wind will be the mistral, northwesterly and, probably, we’ll find this wind after Stromboli and Palermo,” he said.

“For the second or third day, we expect strong winds from the mistral of 25-30 knots. It’s important for us to make a big distance in the first part of the race, because the second part will probably be better for the small boats that should have strong winds to the finish line.

“With this forecast, the change between the southeast and the northwest is important. I think that’s the point that can decide the race.”

Today’s first start at Grand Harbour is scheduled for 11 a.m.