Six months out from the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race and an exciting line-up is on the cards. Recent races have seen an explosion of interest in this 608nm Mediterranean offshore classic. The fleet has risen steadily from 42 in 2002 to last year’s 58 boats. Whilst the Royal Malta Yacht Club does not expect to set records every year it is keen to break the 60-yacht barrier.

“Although the attraction and quality of this event is not only about the number of entries, the club is working hard to see what level we might reach this time. In achieving over forty yachts we thought we had done well. Two years later, we had over fifty on the start-line. For a moment last year we thought we had over sixty, but some last minute drop-outs left us just short,” commented Godwin Zammit, Race Committee chairman.

The course takes the fleet on a challenging anti-clockwise adventure around Sicily, and includes two active volcanoes – Etna and Stromboli – en route, together with a host of islands and landmarks made famous by history and mythology. Starting and finishing in Marsamxett Harbour is an experience few will forget or fail to include in their list of racing highlights. The start line is dwarfed by the imposing 16th century bastions of the fortified city of Valletta at the ‘pin-end’ and the impressive main gate to the 18th century Fort Manoel – home to the RMYC – at the ‘Committee End’.

Last year, the fleet broke another less memorable record with the fewest finishers (9). The race, plagued with light winds, saw crews struggling for almost a week before recognising that the race deadline could not be met even if they could sail to the finish. With a number of yachts within speaking distance for the duration of the race, the spirit of the participants was in evidence throughout with tales of boats trading provisions as food supplies began to dwindle.

First boat to finish was Italian Carlo Puri Negri’s Atalanta II, which fought a close duel over the course with Steinlager II before finally gaining the race winning advantage 10 miles from the line. Last boat and only Maltese yacht to finish in time was former race winner, David Frank’s J-125 Strait Dealer, which will be on the start line again this year.

Franks could find himself in a match race this year; newcomer, Briton Steve Thorpe, is entering his J-125, Wings of the Wind, “The Rolex Middle Sea Race has been on my list of ‘must do’ races for sometime now. We have followed the fortunes of David Franks and feel the race is ideally suited to the J-125. The crew is truly Corinthian, but has a wealth of knowledge with experience of numerous Fastnets, Hobarts and, even, trans-Atlantic races within the ranks.

One record that may fall this year is the course record established in 2000 by Bob McNeil’s Zephyrus IV. It has been under serious assault in recent times, with a number of yachts more than capable of beating it in the right conditions having a go.

After two unsuccessful attempts, Neville Crichton is returning with his latest Alfa Romeo – the 98-foot Reichel/Pugh canting keel super-maxi that finished second on the water at the Rolex Sydney Hobart last December. “The race represents unfinished business for Crichton. Taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race will, without doubt, be one of the highlights of the season,” explains Crichton. “Not only is Malta a wonderful venue, this race also represents a unique challenge in the Mediterranean with widely varying conditions and real tests for navigation and weather prediction. My aim this year, as on our two previous visits, will be to break the race record. In the past we have had too little and too much wind – even in the same race! This year I am hoping the winds will be kind and the new race record will be set by Alfa Romeo.”

Crichton will not be alone in his quest for the record. Stewart Thwaites conventional, fixed-keel super-maxi, Konica Minolta, has just announced its participation. Outgunned at the Rolex Sydney Hobart in December (finishing fourth on the water), Thwaites and his skipper Gavin Brady will no doubt relish the prospect of a race where strategy is often more important than potential boat speed.

Other yachts returning to the fray include the first confirmed Maltese entrant Comanche Raider, a Humphrey’s designed IOR Two Tonner, skippered by Jonas Diamantino and the Swan 601 Spirit of Jethou, Sir Peter Ogden’s all-black carbon racer. Ogden and his crew were beaten by the elements last year, but their enthusiasm for this race that has attracted the likes of Ted Turner, Herbert von Karajan and Sir Francis Chichester appears undimmed.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race 2006 starts from Marsamxett Harbour, Malta, on Saturday 21st October 2006. The Malta Rolex Cup, a two-race inshore series on the 17th and 18th October, will precede the main race.

Entries close on 14 October. The final prize giving is at noon on 28 October.

Zephyrus IV established the current course record of 64 hours 49 minutes and 57 seconds in 2000.