Valletta, Malta – Just as the northern hemisphere begins to think of shorter days and the need for warmer clothes, the offshore racing community looks to grab one more chance to indulge their passion for testing skill, resilience, and determination on the water over two or more days. Starting from Grand Harbour, annually in October, the 606 nautical mile Rolex Middle Sea Race has delivered on this restless desire every year since 1968. The 47th edition is scheduled to start on Saturday, 17 October, with entries closing on Friday, 18 September (late entries accepted until 25 September at the organiser’s discretion). The entry list has expanded tremendously in a few days and is on course to match the heights of recent years.
This year’s race marks the 30th anniversary of the rebirth of the Rolex Middle Sea Race following a 13-year hiatus after the 1983 running. In 1996, 21 yachts participated in the ‘phoenix’ event, representing Italy, Malta, Austria, and Argentina. The decision to relaunch has paid off, with the race regularly attracting over 100 entries from around the world. Crews from more than 20 nations and territories are featured, stretching from Canada, the United States, and Uruguay in the west to Türkiye in the east, Finland in the north, and much of western Europe in between.
Among the fleet is Sassafras, a Swan 47 owned and skippered by Michael Cullen from Canada. He describes her as a “big old beautiful boat,” determined to race across the globe. Sassafras has competed in prestigious races like the Newport to Bermuda and the RORC Caribbean 600. Following the Rolex Middle Sea Race, she will head to the UK for the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Race historians recall Lazy Duck, another Swan 47 that took part in the 1996 race, highlighting the design’s timelessness. The participation of the Wallyrocket 71 Django 7X from Italy brings historical significance as Guillermo Parada competes 30 years after debuting as a helmsman on the line honours winner Alexia.
Arkas Sailing Team from Türkiye, having participated in the Rolex Middle Sea Race four times, reflects on their journey. They transitioned from the Kerr 40 Arkas Flying Box in 2015 to the TP52 Arkas Blue Moon in recent years, achieving impressive results including wins in the 2026 Giraglia Offshore Race.
Newcomer Babiana, a 27m Oyster 885GT, aims to showcase her capabilities after completing the Oyster World Rally. Her first offshore race will be the Rolex Middle Sea Race, following victories in Class 1 at the 2025 Oyster Palma Regatta.
Returning to the race is Franco Niggeler with the Kuka team, who previously placed third overall in 2024. This year, he will race the MAT 1220 Kuka 4, designed for endurance and high performance.
Jonathan Gambin, skipper of the Dufour 44 Ton Ton Laferla, aims for his 19th lap around the course in 2026. He values the preparation and camaraderie fostered through the race, appreciating the support from sponsors.
The 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race will commence on 17 October 2026, featuring a fleet ranging from approximately 9 metres to over 30 metres, including both monohulls and multihulls. The event forms part of several prestigious racing championships.
Leading up to the race, participants can enjoy warm-up events, including the Cannes Malta Yacht Race and the Yachting Malta Coastal Race, alongside a renowned crew party. The final prizegiving will take place on 24 October at the historic Sacra Infermeria.
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