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Race | Rolex Middle Sea Race (2024)


Passage Stats

Would like to follow the 2024 race?

Start: October 19, 2024, 11.00 AM | Valetta, Malta

SYNOPSIS

Join us in Malta for the Rolex Middle Sea Race, including a week of performance sail training prior to the race itself! This Mediterranean offshore classic is one of the world's iconic 600-mile offshore races, alongside the Fastnet and the Sydney-Hobart. Steeped in history, the race originally came about due to a rivalry between members of the British Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Royal Malta Yacht Club in 1968 — making 2024 its 45th edition. Starting and ending in Malta, the counter-clockwise racecourse circumnavigates the island of Sicily and is known for its changeable weather conditions, and unrivaled natural beauty.

Click here to watch the Rolex Middle Sea Race wrap-up film.

The Route

Starting from the dramatic scenic backdrop of Grand Harbour beneath the Saluting Battery in Valletta, Malta, the race heads north past the infamous Mount Etna, and up through the challenging tidal currents in the Messina Straits. Leaving Stromboli — the second active volcano of the course — to port, the yachts turn west along the northern coast of Sicily to the Egadi Islands. From here, the route takes you south towards Lampedusa, and finally back east for the home stretch through the South Comino Channel and to the finish line outside of Valletta.

Typical Weather Pattern

Set in Fall, the weather for this race is always unpredictable. The Mediterranean is known for light winds or tons of wind, and typically she delivers both in good measure at this time of year. Previous years have seen gentle light winds at the start, only to be finishing in a gale with thunderstorms and squalls blasting the fleet. This makes for both a tactical race — both in terms of navigation, and crew and energy management.

RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE

We have designed this passage to be accessible for anyone even if you come with no prior racing experience. This is why we include such substantial race training beforehand. Saying that, we recommend that anyone signing up does have some prior offshore sailing experience. This could include a trip with 59° North or equivalent offshore passage. Please note, age is not a limiting factor — a reasonable level of agility and fitness is much more important.

THE YACHT

We will be chartering 'race-focused' offshore sailing yachts with full sail wardrobes and all necessary performance equipment to be competitive in offshore races, rather than use the 59° North fleet. The current contender for The Rolex Middle Sea Race is an XP44. The XP44 has a good balance between performance, comfort and design, she can be competitive within the IRC rating system [handicap] whilst remaining manageable for a crew of mixed experience.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation will be offered onboard, however, we recommend that you budget to stay onshore while the boat isn't actually at sea as the interiors won't be quite as comfortable as FALKEN and ISBJORN.

HOW TO JOIN

  • To register, click the 'Sign Up' button anywhere on the site. Complete and submit the form indicating ‘2024 Race | Rolex Middle Sea Race as your preferred passage.

  • We’ll get back to you within 24-48 hours to confirm bunk availability, send you the long-form crew application & invoice you the 50% deposit to hold your spot. Balance will be due 60 days prior to the trip start date.

  • Payments are non-refundable. You'll be asked to agree to our terms & conditions on your application before submitting the deposit. Please read them carefully.

Photo from event website

    • Join the boat at 13:00 on the passage start date. Crew must depart the boat by 12:00 Noon on the passage end date.

    • Make sure you eat lunch before joining! We’ll get straight into bunk assignments & briefings once all crew have arrived.

    • Travel logistics & specific itinerary will be sent in the Passage Newsletter #2 emailed to all crew 2-4 months before passage departure.

  • All 59º North passages are led by qualified RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Ocean-certified skippers & mates. All miles sailed onboard both boats will count towards your own license mileage requirements. We are happy to provide certificates to this effect for your RYA Day Skipper, Yachtmaster or other countries’ sea-time requirements.

  • We now reserve two spots for women on all of our passages! You will not be ‘alone’ when you sail with 59º North. Learn more here.

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