Challenging conditions

Expected on Rolex Middle Sea race as fleet sets sail from Malta tomorrow

The 607-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race starts at 1100 tomorrow, Saturday. The Royal Malta Yacht Club's annual classic offshore race will see at least 60 yachts from 13 nations cross the start at the famous Marsamxett Harbour line that lies between the Royal Malta Yacht Club at Fort Manoel and the 16th century bastions of Valletta.

The 60 crews, whose charges are based mostly in the Grand Harbour Marina on the other side of the walled city of Valletta, have been preparing their boats loading stores, making last minute modifications and generally keeping an eye on the weather. With thundery showers now passing across Malta at midday on Friday the crews would be excused for feeling unsettled about the prospects for the next few days at sea, as a confusing weather pattern continues to unfold across the region. The short range forecast suggests a moderate northerly at between 10-15 knots for the start. But the longer range forecast shows strong winds for the second half of the course from Sunday, as massive system moves into the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Strait of Sicily, at the northwestern tip of the island.

Malta's position in the centre of the Mediterranean has long made it an attractive destination for seafarers - both friendly and aggressive. The island has featured in the rise and fall of several civilizations since the earliest of times. It has been the subject of repeated invasions attempts, some less than successful. And, its harbours have witnessed the arrival and departure of a diversity of fleets. 2007 will be no different with the 28th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

With such a colourful history, it is perhaps little wonder that Malta also boasts the start and finish of one of the toughest offshore yacht races on the international calendar. The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a fixture that sets a physical and mental challenge for its participants. In 2001, the fleet was decimated within the first 24-hours by the strong winds that buffeted the yachts as they left Malta en route to the southern tip of Sicily, the first of many critical points in the race. This year kinder strength winds for the first segment and up to Messina will set a test in concentration and tactical decision-making rather more than stamina. Once through the Strait, a tidal gate of epic proportion with its notorious whirlpools caused by the strong tidal flows between the Tyrrhenian and Middle Sea, bodily endurance may well become critical.

One of Malta's most famous seaborne visitors is reputedly St Paul in whose honour was built the Anglican Cathedral in Valletta, the bell tower of which stands watch over Marsamxett Harbour the arena from which the fleet will start to the thunderous echo of the 25lb Howitzers; the emphatic and traditional guns used for the start sequence. For one of the most experienced competitors in the fleet, John Ripard Jr who is on his fifteenth race, the start is a defining moment, "for me, the Rolex Middle Sea Race, is so exciting just to prepare yourself mentally... spiritually, to prepare your boat, to prepare your crew so that somehow I always feel I've already won the race when I cross the start line - let alone the finishing line - by just being there." Ripard Jr emphasises that this is not to take away the competitive element, because he is always keenly competitive. And with two overall wins to his name who would doubt that.

For the first timer, the ear-shattering gunfire that bounces backwards and forwards between the walls of the harbour is truly inspiring. Will Apold, a tall quietly spoken Canadian, is here with Valkyrie his brand-new, all-carbon fibre, custom-built Bill Tripp designed Swan 78. The sleek grey yacht was launched earlier this summer and steadily has made her way from Pietarsaari in Finland down to Malta just to participate in this its first ever race. Talk about defining moments.

"This is the first time I've done the race. In fact it's my first time sailing in Europe. We've just come from Palma, about 650 miles. It was upwind all the way and the last day was 25-knots with big seas - so quite a welcome. We arrived on Monday hoping to get some training in and of course the weather has been miserable for that. So we have spent the time sorting out the last-minute problems and we're ready to go," commented Apold, who has four Newport-Bermudas and six Marblehead-Halifax Races to draw on for experience - but on a 50-foot J/160 rather than Valkyrie, a vessel that would not look out of place on the set of Star Wars.

As Apold remarks, "this is a step up in technology and a step up in power. We're glad the wind's tapering off a bit for the start. But I'm sure we're going to get to try out all our sails in the inventory and the foredeck crew are looking forward to that."

And the start? Apold laughs at this point: "We've had a look and it's interesting. It could be crowded. We've heard about the howitzers at the start and understand there can be a fair amount of echoing. So you can pick whatever echo you want to start on. Hopefully we start on the first one!"

Although the fleet record of 68 yachts on the start will not be broken this year, one record that might fall is the course record set in 2000 by the 76-foot Zephyrus IV. The conditions are likely to be quite different this year with the wind directions around the course being almost the opposite of those experienced by Bob McNeill's crew. The 90ft Rambler is clearly favourite to be first home with a shout setting a new benchmark time, especially if the forecast winds hold around the course. But, as former owner Neville Crichton will attest after three unsuccessful assaults - two of which were on Rambler, formerly Alfa Romeo/Shockwave VI - it is a fickle region. The wind gods have a habit of giving with one hand and taking away with the other. Favourable winds can be preceded and followed by periods of absolute calm. Falling into one of these holes is fatal.

Titan XII, a later generation version of Zephyrus, is more than able to pick up the baton if George David and skipper Ken Read on Rambler drop it. As Peter Isler the navigator on Titan XII remarks, "the great thing about the course is that there are places where there can be parking lots or tidal gates and opportunities for closure or restarts. If Mother Nature helps us out we're close enough [in speed] to Rambler that we could show her a few moves and keep them honest."

Whatever the result, it promises to be an intriguing contest over the next few days and another enthralling chapter will be written in the history of this exceptional race.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race 2007 starts from Marsamxett Harbour, Malta, on Saturday 20th October 2007 at 1100.