The 52nd edition of the Malta Syracuse race – an 85 nautical mile race - which this year starts from Malta is being organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club in conjunction with Lega Navale Italiana (Sezione di Siracusa) and sponsored by UK Halsey Sailmakers (Malta), GLS and Ecocontrol.

The race is scheduled to start on Saturday.

A spectacular fleet of over 80 boats is expected for this race including a record number of nearly 20 Maltese entries.

The boats will start at 10am from a line set off the Sliema seafront and sail to a windward mark before setting sail to Syracuse to finish in the Porto Grande.

Boats from Sicily are expected to start arriving for the event today and the crews will attend a briefing and reception at the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Friday 13 July at 7.30pm.