The first day of the Rolex Middle Sea Race produced some champagne sailing for the 83-yacht fleet. Virtually the entire fleet made the Sicilian coast before dark enjoying comfortable reaching conditions and a spectacular sunset.

However, as the first night drew in, the wind began to fade and the search for breeze started in earnest.

Some yachts chose to stay offshore avoiding the effects of land others took the high risk-reward tactic of heading to the shore, where wind sometimes drains off the land.

At 0900 local time yesterday, Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard’s J/122 Artie-RTFX was the overall leader of The Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The Maltese yacht has managed to keep going through the night and sailed away from the rest of the Class 4 yachts. More significantly, Artie-RTFX was the best placed of all 83 yachts racing after time correction at 0900 on Day Two.

Artie-RTFX had chosen to stay offshore; a conservative approach but it looks to have paid off, for now. Two other yachts from Class 4 are ranked in the top three overall. Little Emily skippered by British sailor Richard Oswald is ranked second overall and Per Sahlberg’s Dehler 34, WinDriven had a fantastic night at sea.

The truly international crew consists of a mix of sailors coming from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Malta. The skipper Per Sahlberg is a very experienced sailor who has lived in Malta for the past ten years. However, it is the first year the boat, which is registered at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, is taking part at the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo, skippered by Jonas Diamantino is one of the fastest yachts in their class and the lack of wind during the night has meant that they have dropped down the leader board. However, Ramon Sant Hill has contacted the media team: “The crew work and the boat are just fantastic, we are really enjoying the race and we are looking forward to finding some more wind!”

Looking at the situation at 0900, the entire fleet are experiencing light and variable winds along the southeast coast of Sicily.

However, the high performance yachts in IRC 1 will shortly experience a positive current on the approach to Messina and also the possibility of more wind from the south due to the funnel effect of the narrow strait.

This current was going to be favourable until about 1400 local time, after that the current would be unfavourable.

In the afternoon, a tactically challenging and meteorologically intriguing 33rd Rolex Middle Sea Race was developing.

Some 28 hours into the contest, all 83 yachts were still in contention with the vast majority of the fleet currently negotiating the infamous Strait of Messina. Leading the fleet was last year’s Line Honours winner, Slovenian Maxi Esimit Europa 2. Two 72-ft Mini Maxis; Niklas Zennstrom’s Rán 2 and Alessandro Rombelli’s Italian Stig.

All three boats were travelling at a meagre two knots and separated by metres rather than miles and can only watch as the chasing pack come up behind them with the breeze. Lee Satariano & Christian Ripard’s J/122, Artie RTFX still lead the Rolex Middle Sea race overall after time correction.

Artie RTFX was the first Maltese boat to exit the Strait of Messina, one of the defining parts of the 606-mile course. Artie RTFX rode a favourable current through the narrow gap between Sicily and the Italian main land and a small break away pack of boats is trying to do exactly the same before the tide turns.

Leading the chasing pack behind Artie RTFX is Josef Schultheis & Paolo Semeraro’s Xp 44, XP-ACT with several Maltese crew on board. XP-ACT should be next through the strait and look to be in a strong position. However two British yachts are ahead of them after time correction; Nick Jones’ First 44.7, Lisa and Philippe Falle’s Grand Soleil 43, Trustmarque Quokka.

Jonas Diamantino’s ILC40, Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo has found another gear. After suffering in the light airs over night, the all Maltese crew have fought back but Comanche Raider Gasanmamo is still over 2 miles behind Artie RTFX and need to beat the reigning champions by a significant distance on the water to make any claim for the big prize.

Looking up the track, the formidable Maxi yachts are approaching Stromboli, however yet again the wind looks to be fading tonight, which should allow the yachts who have made it through the Messina Strait sail right up to them.

For those that do not make it through Messina, it looks like a painful afternoon and evening; the tide will turn and the wind will ease, some may even go backwards, unless they decide to anchor.