Valletta, Malta – At midnight on Friday, 19 September, the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race, commencing on Saturday, 18 October 2025, has attracted a fleet of 118 yachts. Entrants hail from 30 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, the United States, and Romania, showcasing a diverse and competitive field. The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) and its race organising committee express their delight in the growing interest for this classic race. Late entries will be accepted until Friday, 26 September.
The fleet includes 113 monohulls, the largest being Black Jack 100 at 30.48 metres (100 feet), while Calypso is the smallest at 9.43m (31ft). Five multihulls are competing, with Allegra, a 25.49m (84ft) design, as the largest and the foiling Falcon at 14.2m (46.5ft) being the smallest. Stormvogel, launched in 1961 and a previous winner, is among the noteworthy entries, along with Mowgli of Portsmouth, launched in 1965. Italy leads with 23 entries, followed by France and Malta with 17 each. The complete entry list is available here.
The monohull fleet will race under IRC Time Correction for the prestigious Rolex Middle Sea Race trophy, created by Emanuel ‘Emvin’ Cremona in 1968. Commodore Mark Napier expressed, “The Royal Malta Yacht Club is truly delighted to welcome such a diverse and talented fleet to this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race. This October promises an extraordinary international gathering, ready to take on one of the world’s most captivating race courses.”
Past winners are eager to reclaim the trophy. The crew of Red Bandit, last year’s champions, returns but will race on Black Pearl after losing their original boat’s rig earlier in the season. Moriz Forster commented, “It’s our favourite race… the beauty of the landscape, the level of competition—it reminds you why you love sailing.”
Other notable competitors include Géry Trentesaux with his Sydney 43 Long Courrier, and the Podesta siblings, who achieved consecutive victories in 2019 and 2020. Lee Satariano, a two-time winner, is also set to race again.
Black Jack 100, a previous line honours winner, returns with aspirations to break the course record. Skipper Tristan Le Brun remarked on their commitment, saying, “We love this race… records are there to be broken, and we like that challenge.”
Multihull Allegra, under skipper Rob Grimm, aims to improve on its previous race experience. The crew boasts significant offshore racing expertise, promising a strong performance.
Local Maltese crews are also well represented, with youth teams participating and returning entrants keen to build on past experiences. Kevin Pisani Zammit expressed excitement for the challenges ahead.
Nikki Henderson, a prominent figure in offshore sailing, leads J/122 Noisy Oyster with a diverse crew, eager to explore the thrills of sailing in the Mediterranean. She shared her enthusiasm for the race’s beauty and the camaraderie it fosters.
As the race approaches, the RMYC prepares for what promises to be an exceptional event, showcasing a remarkable international fleet and the enduring spirit of offshore sailing.
The 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race is set to start on Saturday, 18 October 2025. Late entries will be accepted until Friday, 26 September. For more information and registration, visit the official Rolex Middle Sea Race website: https://www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/
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