Rolex Middle Sea to start tomorrow

Coastal races to be held prior to main event this weekend

The prospect of a record fleet for the 25th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race remains strong. At close of entries on 16 October, 53 yachts had registered. Of those, 34 have already arrived in Malta to commence preparations. These include the headline yachts, the three maxis, Alfa Romeo, Black Dragon and Damiani Our Dream.

While the 607 mile offshore race that takes the fleet on a course anticlockwise around Sicilly starts on Saturday, some of the fleet are to take part in a series of coastal races being run by the Royal Malta Yacht Club beforehand. Not only do these races offer the crews an opportunity to check their yachts, sails and other equipment, but they also give newcomers a feel for the unique starting arena that is Marxamsett Harbour. The RMYC start and finish line for the all races runs from the club house within the gatehouse of 18th Century Fort Manoel across Lazaretto Creek to one of the 16th Century bastions of Valletta, the Maltese capital.

Tomorrow should see the fleet participate in a 36 mile race out and back to Fifla to the south of Malta. Thursday will see the crews on a slightly shorter 27-mile race to the island of Comino situated in the channel between Malta and Gozo. This programme may change if the current light winds prevail.

The 53-yacht fleet features a number of previous winners including Jammin (former Market Wizard, winner in 2002) and Strait Dealer, winner in 2001. Black Dragon is the sistership to last year's winner Nokia Enigma. Alfa Romeo is participating in her last European regatta after two very successful seasons. She is more than capable of shattering the existing record of 64 hours 49 minutes 57 seconds, which has stood since 2000.

The first of two Coastal Races begins at 1000 Wednesday, 20 October; the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is Saturday, 23 October at 1100.

Entries

Yacht Name	Nat	Type
Alfa Romeo	New Zealand	Maxi
Allegra	Malta	Beneteau First 47.7
Aquadanca	England	Sigma 38
Aria di Burrasca	Italy	X-332
Aziza	Malta	Grand Soleil 40R
Black Dragon	Great Britain	Maxi - One Off Sloop
Bordeaux III	Malta	Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 (customised)
Brave	Greece	Farr 52 - OD
Comanche Raider	Malta	IOR 2 Tonner
Communicator	England	Tripp 36 Bermudian Sloop
Constanter	USA	Swan
DAMIANI OURDREAM	NEW ZEALAND	IMS MAXI
Elusive	Malta	Beneteau 45f5
Filoppo	Italy	Rimar Eos 50
Fremito D'arja	Italy	J-109
Geronimo	Malta	Multihull
Gi.Go...2	Italy	vismara 54' O.C.F. Sloop
Imagine	France	IMX 45
Immagination	ITALY	ARROGANCE MOD
Innovation by Catering Centre	UK	Volvo 60 (Innovation Kvaerner)
ISIGO	Italy	DOD 40 - MODULO 123
Jammin	Malta	J-109
Jazz	England	J-145
Kirribilly	England	Beneteau 47.7
Maltese Falcon 2	Malta	Beneteau 40.7
Margerita	Malta	Multihull
Matchless	Malta	Bavaria 38
Morgana	Italy	Beneteau 36.7
Mr.Fips	Luxembourg	Custom Built
Mystique of Malta	Malta	Beneteau 38s5
Nisida	Italy	GY 51
Nur	Italy	Comet 51-S
O 2	Germany	Elan 37
Obelix	Italy	Baltic 38
OPTIMUM 3	Greece	Farr 52 OD
Oxidiana	Italy	x-442
Paul Gerard	USA	Oyster 53-Cutter
Primadonna	Malta	Prima 38 OD
Primavera	Malta	Beneteau 45f5
Quetzalcoalt	France
Red Max	Belgium	One Off Sloop
Sail la Vie		Beneteau 40.7
Sciara	Italy	First 44.7
Sea Goddess	Netherlands	X-412 Mk 3
SILK 2	Italy	Bashford Howlison 41
Solune	France	Nacira 60 Prototype
Soundsphere	CZECH REPUBLIC	Beneteau 40.7
SQUALO BIANCO	Italy	Beneteau 40.7
Storm	Italy	X-43 SLOOP
Strait Dealer	Malta	J-125
Stribor		Gradn Soleil 40 R
Symphony	England	Morgan 50
Tiluk	Malta	Prout
XE	Italy	X-119