South African entry Hi Fidelity has been confirmed as overall winner of the 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The yacht sailed into Marsamett at 4.18 a.m. in a thunderstorm estabilishing an unassailable corrected time. 

South Africa is the ninth country to provide a winner of the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy joining yachts from Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Success was just reward for the crew of Hi Fidelity following their consistent performance throughout a race largely characterized by light winds and during which they benefited from the leadership of co-skippers and noted professional sailors Michael Joubert and Mark Sadler.

“It was a challenging race with lots of breeze and different forecasts,” explained Sadler, taking part in the race for the first time. “It was very demanding from a navigational and tactical point of view. We had a lot of opportunities (to take advantage) when the bigger boats parked and we could decide which way to go.”

Staying in touch with boats rated faster and well ahead of those rated slower coupled with the fresh breeze Hi Fidelity hit while attacking the western stretch of the racecourse proved critical. “It was a challenge beyond challenges,” remarked Joubert. “We didn’t get a lot of sleep, and each new leg brought something new. We tried to mix it between what the weather forecast said and where the fleet was going.” Excelling after almost six full days is testament to the crew’s true Corinthian spirit.