This year's edition of the Middle Sea Race, sponsored for the first time by Rolex, is more than three weeks away. However, enthusiasm at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, organisers of the classic race, is already running high.
The 607 nautical mile race, scheduled for October 26, takes around five days to cover, sailing around the waters of Malta, Sicily, the Straits of Messina and the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria.
Boosted by the sound sponsorship of Rolex in summer, the club is also expecting a high-level entry for the 23rd edition.
Top-quality international crews, including Frans van Schalk on Dutch classic Zwerver, designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1956 and recently restored, and Italian skipper, Andrea Casini on his brand new yacht, Grande Cesare will be on the entry list among others.
A confident Georges Bonello DuPuis, RMYC Commodore, said prospects look bright this year, also announcing a new addition in the programme.
"We are delighted by levels of both new and repeat entries for 2002," he said. "Entries from international yachts across all classes are fantastic and we expect to see the biggest ever Maltese fleet as well.
"In addition, for the first time ever, a Double-Handed Class will be a feature of the race and we have already received some entries for this demanding category."
Meanwhile, the combination of a new challenge and traditional Maltese hospitality have encouraged British yachtsman, Chris Bull, skipper of Primadonna, to return together with Dutch skipper Peter Vroon and his 14 crew members of Tonnerre de Breskens.
Tonnerre de Breskens has featured at the top of the RORC ranking since its launch in 1997 and won the Rolex Fastnet (IRC & IRM class) in 2001. Bull, second overall in the 2000 Sydney to Hobart race on Quest, is still fresh from his success in Rolex Commodores' Cup last summer.
Luxembourg skipper, Patrick Mersch and his crew on the custom-built Mr Fipps, will be looking to repeat recent successes.
"There is simply no Mediterranean alternative to the RMSR," Mersch said. "It's tough and demanding - our boat travels two weeks just to get to Malta and back - logistics are difficult and the race is physically hard to manage. But the reception in Malta and the race itself makes it a winner every time."
'Test of endurance'
Alfred Manduca is looking ahead for his seventh MSR participation. The leading Maltese yachtsman has already figured in the Rolex IMS Offshore World Championship and the Giraglia Rolex Cup this year.
"It's the longest race in the Mediterranean and certainly a test of endurance given the sometimes violent weather conditions in October and November," he said. "But it's also the most picturesque event on the yachting calendar - watching the skies being lit up by volcanic light is stunning."
Bonello DuPuis said: "The Rolex sponsorship deal has certainly generated fresh interest in the race. The response on our website was fantastic. Obviously, final entries have yet to be confirmed, but at this stage, we're looking forward to a spectacular week of sailing."