The 29th Rolex Middle Sea Race drew to a close yesterday with a celebratory prize-giving held under the vaulted ceilings of Mediterranean Conference Centre, built by the Knights of St John, a venue worthy of the epic sea battles fought over the past week.
The overall victors in the struggle were the 40ft Spirit of Ad Hoc from France, an appropriately sized yacht given 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the first ever MSR.
Thierry Bouchard and his crew accepted the magnificent trophy and a Rolex Yacht Master chronometer with a deep sense of satisfaction for a job well done.
"We truly enjoyed this race," said Bouchard.
"It is an adventure and a test in every respect."
Like all the smaller yachts, Spirit of Ad Hoc endured two days of frustration and disappointment as the windless northern coats of Sicily scratched at the patience and stoicism of all competing crews, threatening to rupture the bubble of composure required to succeed in a 606-nautical mile race.
The last two days of the race were in complete contrast. Wind from the southeast led to short, sharp seas that made for an uncomfortable ride all the way home.
All crews reported the jarring motion of their boats and the way in which it sapped strength. Those that took it squarely on the chin and kept the faith won through.
Bouchard and his tough crew won by 40 minutes on corrected time from Chestress 2 (ITA), another boat that had done its all only to be pipped at the post.
The second mighty contest played out on the waters was for Line Honours.
There were a number of yachts in excess of 65ft that crossed the start-line with half an eye on the prize for being first home. In the end, it was three yachts that truly took up the challenge - Alegre (GBR), Jim Swartz's Moneypenny (USA) and Roger Sturgeon's Rosebud/Team DYT (USA).
Over the first part of the race, the lead changed a handful of times as all three sped towards Messina and on to Stromboli. From the volcano to Trapani the destiny of the RLR trophy and Rolex Yacht Master chronometer for Line Honours was on a knife-edge.
Patchy wind led to edgy crews, big gains, big errors and big losses. Rosebud Team DYT fell by the wayside at the Bay of Castelammare, a location on the course cursed with bad luck in 2007 following the loss of the Australian yacht Loki at this point last year.
Alegre and Moneypenny executed a pincer movement that saw one ride the tide to the south of Surgeon's STP 65, whilst the other hopped from patch of wind to patch of wind to the north. With 250 nm to go no one was betting against the lead changing again, but it was not to be and Alegre crossed the line on Wednesday morning with Moneypenny snapping at her heels.
Among the Maltese boats intense, but friendly, rivalries exist and while it has been five years since a Maltese yacht won the overall prize a core group of racers go into the event each year with the ambition, attitude and hope to be the one to break the deadlock hold of foreign-flagged crews.
This year the Maltese entrants held their own for the overall crown.
At Pantelleria, four were in the top ten on corrected time at the transit - Ivan Mallia's Windriven, Arthur Podesta's Elusive Medbank, Jack Scicluna's Airmalta Falcon and John Ripard Jr's Lazy Duck.
Windriven's chances were swept away in the vicious 55-knot squall that hit those of the fleet near to Pantelleria on Wednesday. At the close, it was Elusive that came the closest, finishing third overall, a mere 40 minutes off the pace set by Spirit of Ad Hoc.
Winner of the Malta Maritime Trophy for first boat across the line having a Maltese skipper and a majority of Maltese crew, was Jonas Diamantino and Gasan Mamo Comanche Raider II.
The MMA Award was presented by Austin Gatt, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, who has been instrumental in assisting the Royal Malta Yacht Club's move to new premises later this year.
Dr Gatt was extremely complimentary about the race, the participants and the efforts of the club. In his remarks, he encapsulated the importance of the MSR in the Maltese sporting calendar and islands in general, saying simply, "you have made Malta proud."
Other award recipients were the 15-year old Eugene Egan, a crewmember on Legally Brunette (IRL). Egan was presented the Youth Cup for the youngest participating crewmember by Bernard Vassallo, Malta Sports Council chairman.
High Q1 and Hans Nagel took home the Captain Morgan Trophy in the Multihull class and the John Illingworth Trophy, for first boat on corrected time in the Double Handed Class, was presented to Anthony Camilleri with Kevin Gauci Maistre on Bavaria Flyer (MLT).
Tim Camilleri and the crew of Vikesha (MLT) were awarded the Italian Ambassador's Cup for acts of Seamanship or Sportsmanship for standing by and assisting another competitor in distress.