For more than four decades, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has brought the world’s top sailors to Malta’s shores, setting the stage for one of the most challenging and revered events in offshore yacht racing. This year’s race, the 45th edition, which began on 19 October 2024, saw a fleet of 112 yachts representing 30 nations, each competing for coveted titles in a test of endurance, skill, and grit across 606 nautical miles.
This year’s race lived up to its reputation, showcasing the international allure, high-stakes competition, and raw beauty that make the Rolex Middle Sea Race a bucket-list event for sailors and fans alike. With Malta’s stunning Grand Harbour as the start and finish (the Grand Harbour is a natural harbour on the island of Malta that’s located mainly beneath Valletta, its capital city), the fleet navigated the unpredictable Mediterranean, encountering everything from tranquil seas to sudden squalls – a journey that captures both the thrill and unpredictability of autumn sailing.
A Race Rich in History and Tradition
The origins of the Rolex Middle Sea Race go back to 1968, born from a friendly rivalry between British and Maltese sailors. Alan Green and Jimmy White, British yachtsmen based in Malta, and Paul and John Ripard, Maltese sailors, conceived a course that would stand out in Mediterranean racing. By routing the fleet around Sicily and through the tempestuous Strait of Messina, they created a race that was as technically demanding as it was exhilarating. Since 2002, with Rolex as the title sponsor, the event has flourished, growing in both stature and competitiveness, as sailors around the world gather to vie for top honours.
2024 Fleet Highlights and Competitive Successes
This year’s competitors ranged from grand maxi yachts like Scallywag 100 and Black Jack 100, each 30.48 metres (100 feet) of pure racing power, to smaller, determined entries like Muttley-BDM Audit, measuring just 9.75 metres (32 feet). Such diversity in size, experience, and purpose is a hallmark of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which welcomes both seasoned professionals and dedicated amateurs.
The race continues to grow in global appeal; this year’s fleet featured a striking increase in French entries, with 21 French crews matching Italy’s for the first time in the race’s history. This diversity, also included entrants from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and Finland; by all means, this is a race with many scenic attractions which provides beautiful images and photos.
The True Challenge of the Mediterranean Sea
The Rolex Middle Sea Race is often called the most beautiful of the 600-mile races (the Sydney- Hobart, the Fastnet, the Newport- Bermuda, the Caribbean 600 and the Middle Sea Race), but it is also one of the most demanding.
The Mediterranean is known for its unpredictability in late October, where sailors may experience calm seas one moment and face gale-force winds the next. The route is not only physically taxing, but it also requires exceptional tactical acumen, particularly when navigating tight areas like the Strait of Messina or the volcanic passage near Stromboli. This year, the conditions tested even the most experienced crews, with moments of intense calm and sudden, blustery squalls pushing sailors to their limits.
Embracing Sustainability and Community Engagement
In recent years, the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) has elevated its focus on sustainability, an aspect that is becoming increasingly vital in the world of competitive sailing. The 2024 race saw the return of the BICREF Trophy, awarded to crews that document dolphin or whale sightings along the course, contributing to marine conservation efforts by recording cetacean populations. This partnership with the Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) provides valuable data on vulnerable species within the Central Mediterranean, fostering a stronger connection between sport and stewardship.
The Race
The 45th Middle Sea Race commenced from Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta at 11:00 CEST on Saturday, October 19, 2024 with lively winds creating a dynamic start. Gusts darted unpredictably across the harbour, mingling with a steady southeast breeze—an ideal setup for the fleet’s launch. After departure, the yachts faced a blend of calm patches and sudden powerful gusts as they navigated the early stages.
By around 16:00, the course took a turn for the worse, with stormy conditions brewing near the first checkpoint, just off the Port of Appalloso and Kapapasoro.
As night fell, at around 19:00, Black Jack 100 took the lead. This 100-foot supermaxi, designed by Reichel-Pugh Yacht Design and built by McConaghy Boats in Australia, is well known on the international racing scene, including competitions like the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Palermo-Montecarlo. Named after the late Formula One driver Sir Jack Brabham, Black Jack 100 spans 30.46 metres (100 feet), with a 5.26-metre (17 foot) beam, and can reach top speeds of 13 knots.
By early Day 2 (09:00 CEST), the race leader had changed. Over a quarter of the fleet, including last year’s winner Bullit—a Wally 98—had withdrawn due to severe weather during the first night. Spirit of the Winds reported wind speeds of 62 knots, while Phoenix faced ripping sails amid water spouts and thunderstorms. Facebook follower Adriana Battaglia remarked, “Bad timing for a 600-mile race with a medicane exactly on route.”
At this stage, the 27-metre (88 feet) Juan K yacht, Lucky, claimed the lead, closely followed by Scallywag 100, and Black Jack 100. Balthasar, a Maxi 72 helmed by Rogier Van Overveld, was further behind but led the IRC class. The fleet rounded Stromboli in calmer conditions than the previous night.
By 19:00 CEST later that evening, the Black Pearl took the overall lead under IRC. Owned by Stefan Jentzsch and designed by Botín, the 17-metre (56-foot) offshore racer has a fixed keel and a deck-stepped mast.
With over 24 hours of racing completed, organisers noted, “The race so far has been marked by dramatic changes in wind and sea conditions.” After a stop-start 48 hours, the Rolex Middle Sea Race burst back into life as the lead yachts caught a fresh southerly wind from Malta toward the Strait of Sicily.
By early Day 3, Scallywag 100 reclaimed the lead, with Black Jack 100 close behind as they passed Favignana. Under IRC, Balthasar continued to lead in Class 1. Splinter groups began to form, with larger, faster yachts pulling ahead of the smaller boats. Black Jack 100 took a razor-thin lead over Scallywag 100.
At 04:30 CEST, Sophie Waldow onboard Red Bandit reported intense racing among Red Bandit, Black Pearl, and Teasing Machine. Later in the day, Scallywag 100 and Black Jack 100 closed in on the finish with less than 20 miles remaining.
In an exciting conclusion, Huang-Seng Lee’s Scallywag 100 (HKG) crossed the finish line at Marsamxett Harbour at 09:43 CEST on Tuesday, October 22, clinching Monohull Line Honours with an elapsed time of two days, 21 hours, 33 minutes, and 29 seconds.
The Maltese Maxi 72 Balthasar, skippered by Rogier Van Overveld, finished at 13:40 CEST, leading IRC Class 1 and ranking provisionally second overall under IRC.
With only 70 nautical miles left, Red Bandit, Black Pearl, and Teasing Machine remained in tight competition.
Boats continued finishing, with Spirit of Lorena Powers, Teasing Machine, Black Pearl, Black Jack 100, and INO NOIR all making their hard-earned finishes. Long Courier claimed first place in IRC Class 3, Elusive 2 took IRC Class 4, Calypso won IRC Class 5 just before Day 5 began, and Zephyr secured IRC Class 6 a little later.
What a race!
Principal 2024 Success Stories
Overall Winner under IRC
Red Bandit (GER), TP52, skippered by Carl-Peter Forster (Royal Ocean Racing Club), has been declared overall winner of the 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race for the best corrected time under IRC.
Red Bandit is a high-performance TP52 yacht, designed for speed and agility in offshore racing. This class of yacht, the Transpac 52 (TP52), is well-regarded in the competitive sailing community for its balance of power and manoeuvrability, especially in races that demand both high speed and technical skill.
The Red Bandit campaign serves as a pathway program for young athletes through the Forstar Offshore Foundation, established by Carl-Peter Forster. This foundation gives competitive dinghy sailors and other emerging youth talent the chance to gain experience and grow as offshore racers on ‘big boats.’ With the notable exception of Forster himself and seasoned tactician Jesper Radich, the crew is composed entirely of sailors under the age of 30.
“It’s almost unbelievable, I’m particularly proud of these young people, most of whom did not sail a big boat four years ago,” commented Carl-Peter Forster about the Rolex Middle Sea Race victory. “They have learned to sail this machine so well, which is pretty, pretty amazing. I’m proud of this group, and how they gel together as a team. This was my seventh race, it was the usual amazing, multifaceted Rolex Middle Sea Race. Wind up to 60 knots in a thunderstorm, the fastest Messina Strait crossing thanks to six knots of current with us, the usual light winds, and good boats all around us. Good fighting and competition all the time,” continued Forster.
Monohull Line Honours
Scallywag (HK) 100, Dovell Custom, skippered by David Witt.
Going into the 2024 race, the headline act was undoubtedly Seng Huang Lee’s Scallywag, flying the Hong Kong flag and helmed by seasoned round-the-world sailor David Witt. The 30.48-metre (100-foot) Dovell design has become a familiar presence in major offshore races, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Rolex Fastnet, sporting various configurations and names over the past decade. Ahead of the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart, Scallywag underwent a significant refit, featuring a new 43.5-metre mast and boom, a complete overhaul of the canting keel components, and upgrades to the electrical and hydraulic systems.
Double-Handed Class Winner IRC
Marina 21 (GREECE), a Bénéteau First 36, Milan Kolacek & Milan Tomek
The Marina 21 First 36 is designed by Farr Yacht Design. (Bruce Farr, the founder of Farr Yacht Design, is a New Zealander who has had a profound influence on the sailing industry.) It is 11 metres (36 feet), with a beam of 3.55 metres (11.65 feet), and a draft of 1.95 metres (approx. 6.4 feet). The First 36 is designed for performance cruising and can handle various sea conditions.
Boccale del Mediterraneo Trophy ORC
Kuka 3 (ITA), Cookson 50, Franco Niggeler.
Franco Niggeler, owner of the Cookson 50 Kuka 3, returned for yet another Rolex Middle Sea Race. With over a decade of experience in this event, Niggeler knows well what makes this race truly unique. “There are two things that are unique to this event,” he explains. “First, Malta is a beautiful place. Second, it’s the only race where you face such a variety of meteorological situations. It truly is a marvellous race.”
More Than Just A Competition
Leaders from Malta have been vocal in their support of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, recognising its role in promoting the nation’s maritime heritage. Commodore David Cremona of the RMYC noted, “The Rolex Middle Sea Race is more than just a competition; it is a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding quest for adventure, an enduring love of the sea and the opportunity to test one’s mettle against the elements.” This sentiment is echoed by President of Malta Dr Myriam Spiteri Debono, who commended the race’s multicultural draw: “Few sights warm the hearts of the Maltese more than the spectacle of the participating yachts exiting Grand Harbour.”
