Malta expects a record-breaking 100-plus yachts to join the Rolex Middle Sea Race 18-25 October, the 606-nautical mile “must do” offshore race in the heart of the Mediterranean.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the top-rated races of the season alongside the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney-Hobart and Newport-Bermuda.

This year’s race entry currently stands at more than 120 and, even if some withdraw, the number of yachts crossing the start line in Malta’s Grand Harbour on 18 October will almost certainly exceed the 99 participants last year. Late entries will be accepted until Friday with the final number of participants announced at a press conference on Monday 13 October at 2pm (1300 BST) at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

RMYC Commodore Godwin Zammit will address the media and Peter Dimech, Race Committee Chair and Principle Race Officer, will discuss safety in the Grand Harbour and the Start procedure. The Hon. Chris Agius, Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, will also be attending the Press Conference.

Journalists who cannot attend are invited to arrange phone or Skype interviews with RMYC officials (press office details below).

The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts and finishes in Malta with a route around Sicily and the Strait of Messina, the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa. Stromboli's active volcano is one of the course marks.

This is the 35th year for the race, organised by The Royal Malta Yacht Club, a founding member of the Malta Sailing Federation. The international interest and record number of participants reflects a resurgent passion within the yacht racing community for races that test both Corinthian and professional crews.