Rolex Middle Sea Race : the essential details

The start of the 43rd Rolex Middle Sea Race is less than a week away. The Royal Malta Yacht Club has been a hive of activity over the past month, and the clubhouse and moorings are ready to welcome the impressive international fleet. Whether you are in Malta or abroad, coming to the start or watching online/TV, here are some of the essential details to ensure your experience as good as possible.

Challenging, captivating and historic, the annual Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of world's most respected offshore races. The popularity of the race is largely drawn from its alluring racecourse – a rigorous, scenic anticlockwise loop around Sicily which introduces numerous "corners" that in turn lead to varied conditions and complex tactical decisions.

Stats and Facts

First held: 1968
Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

2022 Start: Saturday, 22 October, Grand Harbour, Valletta (11:00 CEST)

Entry (as at 17 October)
124 yachts representing 24 countries
Smallest boat: Cuorematto, Absolute Wind 950, Andrea Barbera, Italy
Largest boat: Leopard 3, Farr 100, Chris Sherlock, Spain

National representation:
Italy - 28 entries
France - 20
Malta – 12
Germany -11
Great Britain – 10
Poland – 9

Furthest travelled crews:
High 5, Cookson 47, Bernard Hyde, New Zealand
Maverick, Infiniti 46R, Michael Firmin, Australia
Antelope, Xp44, Cameron Macrae, Canada
Kiboku Tatu, Arcona 380, George Greer, USA
Red Ruby, Sun Fast 3300, Jonathan McKee, USA
Snowflake, MOD70, Frank Slootman, USA

Other countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Total LOA of all boats end to end: 1,837.5m – almost twice the height of Stromboli above sea level (924m), or just over half the height of Etna (3,357m).

Course
Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)
Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll
Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth

Main Trophies
Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy – overall race winner under IRC Time Correction
Boccale de Mediterraneo – winner of ORC category
RLR Trophy – winner of monohull line honours
Captain Morgan Trophy – winner of multihull division on corrected time (MOCRA)

Programme
Monday, 17 October: Registration opens at Royal Malta Yacht Club
Wednesday, 19 October: Yachting Malta Coastal Race
Wednesday, 19 October: Yachting Malta Coastal Race Prize Giving & Reception
Thursday, 20 October: Rolex Middle Sea Race Crew Party
Friday, 21 October: Weather and Skippers' Briefing
Saturday, 22 October: Rolex Middle Sea Race Start from 11:00 CEST
Saturday, 29 October: Rolex Middle Sea Race Prize Giving