From October 22 to October 29, 2022, Malta is hosting the 43rd Rolex Middle Sea Race, an iconic race, featuring some of the world’s premier mariners on the most high-tech vessels in the sea.
Participants from South Africa to the United States, from Chile to New Zealand, the appeal of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is unquestionably broad. Organizers announced entries for over 100 yachts representing 25 nations.
The race starts in Valletta’s Grand Harbour beneath the historic Fort St. Angelo. Participants will embark on the 606 nautical mile classic, traveling to the Eastern coast of Sicily, up towards the Strait of Messina, before heading North to the Aeolian Islands and the active volcano of Stromboli. Passing between Marettimo and Favignana the crews head South towards the island of Lampedusa, passing Pantelleria on the way back to Malta.
Originally stemming from a rivalry between two friends who were members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Paul and John Ripard, and British sailor residing in Malta, Jimmy White, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has grown tremendously since the first edition in 1968.
Since then, Maltese yachts have won on nine occasions, most recently in 2020 and 2021, when the Podesta siblings secured back-to-back wins with Elusive II.
2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race Facts
The largest yacht registered is the Leopard 3 at 100 ft., while the smallest yacht is Cuorematto at approx. 31 ft.
The most entries are from Italy with 27 followed by France with 19.
The furthest traveled entries include High Five from New Zealand and Maverick from Australia.
There are 11 double-handed entries including two-time Olympic medallist Jonathan McKee on Red Ruby from the USA.
The race will start on Saturday, October 22, 2o22 at 11:00 AM and will commence on October 29 with the Prize Giving Ceremony for all those taking a trophy home.
It will be streamed live on both Facebook and YouTube, and broadcasted on TVM (Malta), from 10:30 AM.
