Starting and finishing in Malta, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is an international competition of distinction and an offshore race par excellence. 2018 sees the Race celebrate 50 years since the first race, when just eight participants, took place.

The popularity of this race can be seen in the numbers.  Registrations for this year’s 39th edition come from yachts representing 30 different countries. The expected number of race starters from Valletta’s Grand Harbour on Saturday 20th October is on course to challenge the record of 122 yachts set in 2014.

The Race will be welcoming professional and corinthian crews once again, some ready to experience the race for the first time, others returning to attempt better results or even the course record, set by George David’s Rambler, in 2007.  George David and his crew on Rambler 88 are once again on the fleet list and will be attempting to secure another line honours having won the accolade in 2015, 2016 and 2017, though they might face a tough challenge from the 115 foot Baltic Maxi Yacht Nikata.

This year the Maltese flag will be flown by nine boats.  Giving a long and proud participation in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Maltese skippers are competitive and have won the race on seven occasions.  Maltese crews feature regularly on Class podiums.

The Press Conference, which was held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club this morning, welcomed the Hon. Dr. Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations who reiterated his support for such initiatives.  Also present were Her Excellency Ms. Vanessa Frazier, the Maltese Ambassador to Italy and His Excellency the Ambassador Umberto Vattani, who were present in Malta on the occasion of the launch of the Trofeo Alessandro Vattani. The Trophy will be presented to the first double handed boat to cross the line, during the Prize Giving ceremony on Saturday 27th October.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday 20th October at 11:00am from the Grand Harbour. Viewing of the start can be enjoyed from various vantage points in Valletta as well as Vittoriosa and Senglea.

For more information and tracking of boats please visit www.rolexmiddlesearace.com and the Race’s social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

FACTS AND STATS

First held in 1968, 2018 is the 50th Anniversary of the Middle Sea Race and the 39^th edition of the race.

The Royal Malta Yacht Club has been supported by Rolex in 2000 and 2001 when it sponsored the Rolex Cup. In 2002, Rolex SA came on board as the title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race. Since 2002, the event has witnessed a record number of entries every year and has also seen amazing growth in the quality of entries and the number of countries participating.

2018 Rolex Middle Sea Race

RECORD 144 entries (previous record in 2014 – 122 entries).

30 countries represented in the entry list. Italy (27), United Kingdom (18), Russia (14), Malta (9).

RACE RECORDS

Monohull

2007 George David (USA) Rambler – 47 hours 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

Note: George David will be racing the latest “Rambler” this year. Rambler 88 has taken line honours four times but has yet to better the 2007 record.

Multihull

2015 Giovanni Soldini (ITA) Maserati – 49 hours, 25 minutes and 01 seconds

Note: Maserati is racing this year and will be in a high speed race with another 70ft trimaran Peter Cunningham (CAY) PowerPlay.

The overall winner is decided by the yacht with the best time after IRC time correction. The last overall win for Malta was Lee Satariano with J/122 Artie in 2014 and 2011.

RACE START

Grand Harbour, Malta

Saturday, 20 October from 1100

A series of starts from 1100 until approximately 1200.

RACE FINISH

Couvre Port, Fort Manoel

Time Limit Saturday 27th October at 08.00