The Rolex Middle Sea Race lies at the heart of Malta’s maritime heritage—a 606-nautical-mile challenge that continues to capture the imagination of sailors from around the world.
Conceived in Malta in 1968, the race embodies the island’s relationship with the sea: equal parts adventure, endurance, and camaraderie. Among the 118 crews registered for the 46th edition, which starts from Grand Harbour, Valletta on Saturday, 18 October at 1100 CEST, there are 13 Maltese teams. For these sailors, participation is about pride as much as performance—each finish adding a new page to the nation’s seafaring legacy.
The Royal Malta Yacht Club: Guardians of tradition
Tracing its roots to the 1830s, the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) has been the heartbeat of local sailing. Paul Ripard, John Ripard, Jimmy White and Alan Green—were the visionaries behind the original idea to race around Sicily, laying the groundwork for what is now a world-renowned offshore event. Each October, the thunderous salute from the Saluting Battery signals not only the race’s start but Malta’s celebration of its maritime spirit.
Maltese icons of the sea
Among Malta’s finest offshore teams, Artie III, an HH42 co-skippered by Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard, remains one of the most decorated crews in local history. Satariano’s victories in 2011 and 2014 and Ripard’s upcoming 35th participation—matching the late Arthur Podestà’s record—typify endurance and consistency. The crew, largely unchanged, arrives buoyed by a third-place class finish at July’s Aegean 600.
The Podestà siblings’ First 45 Elusive 2, back-to-back winners in 2019 and 2020, continue to honour their late father Arthur’s legacy. Their disciplined, family-driven approach and close-knit crew have made them regular podium finishers and ambassadors for Maltese seamanship.
Another family-centred campaign is Calypso, co-owned by cousins Dan Calascione and Seb Ripard, who are both grandsons of one of the race founders’ John Ripard. The pair will be helming the smallest yacht in the fleet— a Farr 30.
Ton Ton Laferla Insurance, a Dufour 44, skippered by Jonathan Gambin, enters its 17th race, once again fielding a loyal and experienced crew that includes Gambin’s son Gerald. Their strong class performance in this year’s Yachting Malta Coastal Race, finishing 3rd in IRC 4, reaffirms them as key local contenders.
The rising generation
The Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation continues to nurture the next wave of Maltese sailors. Its two J/109s, Jarhead (skipper Gary Mercieca/Gregory Nasmyth) and JYS Jan (skipper Claudio Bugeja/Dimitrios Paschalidis), return with mixed crews that pair experienced racers with newcomers for a balanced learning environment. For the Foundation, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is not merely a competition but a classroom that instils teamwork, endurance, and respect for the sea.
The effort is already paying off: in the Yachting Malta Coastal Race, JYS Jan took second in IRC 6, confirming the programme’s growing strength and readiness for the main offshore challenge.
Experience meets ambition
Otra Vez, an ICE 53 RS, owned by Royal Malta Yacht Club Committee Member Aaron Gatt Floridia, returns to the race with a crew that is half new to the boat. Despite having skipped most of the 2025 racing calendar due to conflicting schedules, Otra Vez remains an entry not to be underestimated.
“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is always the highlight of our racing year. We have been busy preparing the boat and crew, and are very excited to be on the start line,” notes Gatt Floridia
Stefan Debattista’s IMX 40 Geisha also returns following a strong 2024 campaign, when the team finished 3rd in IRC 5 and 13th overall. Debattista maintains a pragmatic approach: minimal changes, a refined sail plan, and a focus on teamwork. “Every year tells a different story,” he says. “For us, it’s about the journey, the sea, and the people on board.”
A new Maltese entry, the Sun Fast 3600 Mistral Racing MT, brings together a group of sailors rediscovering their offshore roots. Co-skippered by Matthew Scicluna and Zach Cassar Torreggiani, the seven-strong crew—six Maltese and one Italian—boasts over 40 collective Rolex Middle Sea Race editions, plus Rolex Fastnets, Giraglias, and transatlantic crossings. Their Yachting Malta Coastal Race debut earned them 3rd place in IRC 6, a promising start for their campaign.
Scicluna reflects: “Our goal was to rebuild a team bound by friendship and shared ambition. The Yachting Malta Coastal Race was the perfect test—it reminded us why we race.”
Lunz am Meer: Maltese flag, global pedigree
Lunz am Meer, the elegant Swan 651 skippered by Steve Carter, has been a fixture of the Rolex Middle Sea Race since 2012, missing only two editions. The yacht’s résumé includes Rolex Swan Cups, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cups, and victories at major Mediterranean classics such as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Giraglia, and the 2019 Tre Golfi.
This year, Lunz am Meer will be sailing under the Maltese flag with a largely Maltese crew. Their second-place finish in IRC 3 at this week’s Yachting Malta Coastal Race demonstrates the team’s competitiveness
Power of perseverance
Simon Xuereb’s Spirit of the Winds, a Dufour 40, made its Rolex Middle Sea Race debut in 2023. Enduring storm damage that forced early retirement in 2024, Spirit of the Winds returns determined to complete the course this year. Their story captures the essence of Maltese seamanship – preparation, teamwork, and courage in the face of the unexpected.
New faces, familiar passion
Among the newer crews, the First 45f5 Noah Dimm Racing Team continues its growth under Kevin Pisani Zammit, returning after its 2024 debut. “Last year’s race pushed us to our limits,” says Zammit. “Now we’re back stronger, ready to learn more and enjoy the challenge together
Vivace, a Reflex 38, co-skippered by Andrew Agius Delicata and Matthew Gabriele, typically races double-handed but will sail fully crewed this year. Following their Yachting Malta Coastal Race class win earlier on this week, the Vivace crew enters the Rolex Middle Sea Race with confidence. “Performance and teamwork are inseparable,” they note. “That’s what makes this race so extraordinary.”
Enduring legacy
From the grand campaigns of Artie III and Elusive 2 to the youthful enthusiasm of the Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation crews, every Maltese yacht represents a thread in the same story—a nation whose connection to the sea is as deep as the waters it sails.
As the cannons echo across Grand Harbour, Malta’s fleet will again set out across the storied course around Sicily. Whether chasing victory or experience, each boat carries the same message: the Maltese spirit endures—undaunted, united, and forever drawn to the sea.
The 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race sets sail from Malta’s Grand Harbour on Saturday, 18 October at 1100 CEST.
The Start is a line between the Saluting Battery and Fort St. Angelo.
Spectators can enjoy breathtaking views from the historic fortifications, while fans around the world can watch the start live online.
For more information visit: www.rolexmiddlesearace.com
