The Rolex Middle Sea Race each year attracts some of the world’s best sailors.

This year the Mediterranean Classic will be blessed with the presence of Alex Thomson who will be taking part in the 608-nautical-mile race aboard his Hugo Boss in the double-handed category.

Earlier this year, Thomson was the protagonist of a sensational performance in the Vendee Globe race as despite suffering significant damage to his boat he managed to cross the finish line in second place after completing the race in 74 days, 19 hours and 35 minutes.

The race provided several achievements for Thomson who broke the world record for the greatest distance sailed solo in 24 hours, notching up 536.8 miles.

Thomson matched Dame Ellen MacArthur’s second-placed finish in the 2001 edition of the Vendee Globe and broke his own British record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in a monohull.

For Thomson this will not his first participation in the Rolex Middle Sea Race as he was also on the starting line in 2013.

The Briton says that Rolex Middle Sea Race is a great attraction for him as it provides a completely different challenge to the trans-oceanic races he normally competes in.

“The Rolex Middle Sea race is a classic regatta in the same mould of the Fastnet and the Sydney Hobart but it’s more challenging in lots of areas, the wind is changing very quickly.

“Added to that the start of the race is amazing. To start a race at the Valletta Grand Harbour is the best start of any race anywhere in the world because you cannot have this kind of scenery it’s a natural amphitheatre and it’s one of the big reasons why I come back.”

Alex Thomson is relishing the prospect of competing in the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli