The 33rd Rolex Middle Sea Race saw Niklas Zennstrom’s Ran finally turn south at Favignan at 3.45am, closely followed by Alessandro Rombelli’s Stig.
The Slovenian Maxi Esimit Europa 2 was long gone; by 9.30am the 100ft canting keel Slovenian Maxi was just 50 miles from Lampedusa, 158 miles from the finish and are expected in Malta sometime this evening.
Esimit Europa 2 is almost assured of line honours and Ran and Stig are also on the fast road. However, the battle for class honours and the overall crown is totally undecided. Last night the majority of the fleet made slow progress along the top of Sicily in the whispering wind.
In Class 4, Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard’s Artie RTFX is leading the class and have about 40 miles to go to make Favignana.
The Maltese champions will be using every means possible to speed their progress to the northwest corner of the course. Possibly their biggest threat to an overall win is now the Maxi yachts in front of them.
In Class 1, Ran’s average speed for the entire race has nearly doubled over night; propelled by the fresh nortwesterly wind Ran has also been powered up the rankings and is now the provisional leader of Class 1. However, Stig is just 5 miles behind and still poses a serious threat.
In Class 2, a pack of boats are approaching the crucial turning point of Favignana. Germana Tognella’s Cookson 50, Cantankerous look to get there first and should extend on the fleet when they turn downwind. However, Speedy, Hi Fidelity and Optimum 3 Aspida are very much in the hunt for class honours.
In Class 3, Natale Lia’s Zenhea Takesha had a sensational night, the all-Italian crew have pulled out a lead of several miles from Josef Schultheis and Paolo Semeraro XP-ACT. Jonas Diamantino’s ILC 40 Comanche Raider Gasanmamo is enjoying a close battle on the water with Swan 56, Noonmark VI and the all Malta crew is still very much in contention after time correction.
Jonas Diamantino said this morning:
“We are so close to Noonmark that we can hear their conversation. There was very little wind last night but the occasional puff of wind was used as best as we could. We have plenty of food and water but I would ask the Royal Malta Yacht Club to make sure the bar is fully stocked for our arrival.”