A total of 58 yachts in five different classes crossed the start line of the 28th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race yesterday in bright sunshine and a 15-20 knot northwesterly breeze. Crowds of spectators lined the banks of Marsamxett Harbour to watch the start. Although the latest weather charts indicate a deep trough of low pressure heading south from northern Europe and reaching the middle of the Mediterranean within the next 12 hours, the conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for the starting sequence. (See story in sports section) Photo: Shirley Spiteri