A new offshore classic is born. The first edition of the Cannes-Malta Race will set sail on 8 October 2025, departing from the glamorous shores of Cannes and heading 600 nautical miles across the Mediterranean to Valletta, Malta.
This landmark event is the result of a prestigious twinning between two historic sailing institutions: the Yacht Club de Cannes (founded in 1860) and the Royal Malta Yacht Club (established in 1835). Their shared vision? To create a Mediterranean challenge on par with iconic races like the Rolex Fastnet, Sydney-Hobart, and Middle Sea Race.
Open to a wide range of yachts – from ORC (9–15m) and IRC (15–25m) competitors to Class40s and IMOCA monohulls – the race will be run in both corrected and real time. The challenging course will see sailors navigate through the Strait of Bonifacio, pass Sardinia to port, Sicily to starboard, and sail through three strategic gates: Bonifacio, Isola Marettimo, and Isola Egadi, before a final sprint to Malta.
“This is more than a race,” says Claude Zammit-Trevisan of the Malta Tourist Board. “It’s a bridge between Malta, Cannes, and the Côte d’Azur. We hope this will become a new must-do race on the international calendar.”
Race direction will be in expert hands, with Jérôme Nutte and Georges Korhel at the helm of organization. “The enthusiasm is strong,” says Nutte. “We’re not expecting record numbers yet, but the excitement among sailors is real.”
To sweeten the deal, crews can follow up the Cannes-Malta Race with the legendary Rolex Middle Sea Race, which kicks off on 18 October – making Valletta the epicenter of Mediterranean offshore racing this autumn.
🗓 Save the date: October 8 – Cannes sets sail for Malta in a brand-new offshore chapter.
🔗 More info:
👉 Royal Malta Yacht Club
👉 Yacht Club de Cannes
