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Taking the prize for Middle Sea race line honours in 2013, Kristina Plattner’s maxZ86 Morning Glory ghosts across the finish line off the entrance to Malta’s Marsamxett Harbour. This now 10-year-old Reichel-Pugh design remains in original twin-rudder CBTF configuration
Rolex Middle Sea Race
With a week to go to the start 132 boats had entered the 2014 Rolex Middle Sea Race… a 33 per cent increase over the previous record entry. Where did that come from?
Last year 116 boats entered but only 99 started – which was still the biggest entry to date. We are fascinated with records and pro- fess doom and gloom when numbers start to slip back, but in the case of this race the increase in numbers is a reflection of many things and not just a growing confidence in an economic recovery. The very special racecourse around the island of Sicily, which was a suggestion by RORC who are credited with co-founding the race in 1968, takes in the stunning scenery leading up to the Straits of Messina and the active Volcano of Stromboli which are both sights worth seeing on their own – but even more so when encapsulated in an offshore classic. The start itself in the heart of the city of Valletta is something to experience and the larger numbers will make it even more challenging as the groups battle within the confines of Grand Harbour with thousand of specta- tors looking on from the ramparts.
Then there is the weather, which at this time of the year is generally warm and balmy ashore – however, this race can throw up anything from evening calms to sudden and violent storms. Teams should be prepared for any weather conditions and the Mediterranean throws up a surprisingly confused seaway when it gets windy. There is also the exceptional hospitality and friendly welcome from the organisers and members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, and in fact from the whole of Malta who recognise the importance of this race to this small island nation. An amazing pre-race party and subsequent prizegiving and the historical city of Valetta itself provide an experience that few other events can match (at this time of year flights are also cheap and economy hotels are plentiful). It all makes for a magical experience, a ‘must-do event’ on the offshore calendar.
As one would expect, Italy has the biggest number of boats with 32, but surprisingly the UK has 22 boats, then Russia and Germany with 11 and 10 respectively. It is a big task to sail your boat from the UK to Malta, as RORC Admiral Andrew McIrvine can testify having made the delivery last year, but the journey and the race are an experience he talks about to this day. Leading the charge for line honours in 2014 is the Med-based Reichel-Pugh 100 Esmit Europa II, with an eye on the course record of 47h 55m 3s set by George David’s Rambler 90 in 2007. In the more typical light and fluky conditions the Med throws up at this time of the year Esmitcould be pushed hard by the two Maxi 72s Ránand Shockwave, which likewise face stern competition for the overall IRC prize from the TP52s, last year’s winner B2and Balearia, plus three Cookson 50s, one of which will be raced by Mascalzone Latino’s Vincenzo Onorato. Other boats
48 SEAHORSE
that caught my eye were Varuna, the Ker 50 that won the recent Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race; 2013 RORC Yacht of the Year, the MC34 Patton, now renamed Azawakhand currently leading the RORC Points Championships; and the brand new Carkeek 47 Black Pearlwhich is certain to be very competitive. Like the Rolex Fastnet this race gives everyone an opportunity to win as it did in 2011 when the local Maltese boat Artie, a J/122 owned by Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard, made local hearts flutter with pride.
Raising the bar
The 100ft (30.47m) LOA limit previously enforced by a number of the 600-mile classic races, including the Fastnet, Hobart and Middle Sea races, has been lifted by the RORC and the Royal Malta Yacht Club for their 2015 editions of the Rolex Fastnet and Rolex Middle Sea races to allow superyachts participating in the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series to compete.
The AORS consists of the RORC Caribbean 600, the TR2015 Transatlantic race from Newport to the Lizard, the Rolex Fastnet and the Rolex Middle Sea race. Superyachts have always been encour- aged to race in the RORC Caribbean 600 and a number have also now entered for the subsequent West to East Transatlantic Race.
Rolex Fastnet priority
Another initiative in place for the 2015 Rolex Fastnet race is to give RORC members priority when entering in January 2015. The race was oversubscribed in 2013 within 24 hours of entry opening, with many boats including those of RORC members, having to go on a waiting list. To cope with demand the club increased the limit to 340 entries but, with the Transatlantic Race from Newport to the Lizard already having close to 60 entries, and the Rolex Middle Sea race breaking the 100-boat barrier, we can only envisage another scramble for places when entry opens at midday on 12 January.
Return to Plymouth Yacht Haven
2013 was the first time the RORC had finished the Rolex Fastnet race in Plymouth Yacht Haven and it was a good experience for all. With the fast boats having a slow race and slow boats arriving in a bunch, the marina was soon bursting at the seams but the marina staff made a big effort not to let anyone down. For next year’s race they are making further changes to accom- modate an even larger number of finishers, while at the same time keeping their longterm tenants happy, plus providing more space for the race village to make the party atmosphere at the finish even more special. Eddie Warden-Owen, CEO
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KURT ARRIGO/ROLEX
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