Rolex Middle Sea Race - Maltese yachts top the leader board

by Media Royal Malta Yacht Club on 21 Oct 2014 At 1700 CET in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, 113 yachts had rounded Stromboli, the active volcano that marks the most northerly point of the course. The race leader on the water, Esimit Europa 2, was less than 20 miles from Favignana and preparing to turn south with 289 miles to go and is expected to finish the race in the early hours of Wednesday 22 October, which would be well outside the course record.

Contenders for the win overall under IRC are emerging. With the vast majority of the fleet past Stromboli, two Maltese yachts are at the top of the leader board. Aaron Gatt Floridia's J/122, Otra Vez and Lee Satariano's J/122, Artie.

Conditions are expected to remain light tonight and most of tomorrow. However a significant change is expected on Tuesday evening with the potential for very fast downwind conditions. As much as 30 knots from the northwest are expected, giving the smaller yachts, a fast downwind sleigh ride for the last 300 miles of the race.

Vincenzo Onorato is the head of the Mascalzone Latino Sailing Team, back to back winner of the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship and leader of several America's Cup campaigns. The Media team interviewed Vincenzo before the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Italian Focus – Vincenzo Onorato, skipper of Cookson 50, Mascalzone Latino.

Interview with Vincenzo Onorato, Skipper, Mascalzone Latino

(In Italian and English).

Why are you doing this offshore race?

I am doing this offshore race, simply because we are growing older. I am using the plural because my crew and I have been racing together for over twenty years, some even close to thirty years. We have raced around the world but never raced a magnificent regatta like the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Some of my crew have done it, I haven’t, and others haven’t either, so we decided to do the Rolex Middle Sea Race which is the most beautiful regatta in the Mediterranean.

You said that this is the first time taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, have you taken part in a similar race?

Yes, but there is nothing like the Rolex Middle Sea Race. It is unique in its distance, the setting. It is beautiful.

What are your expectations, looking forward to the most in this race?

To have great navigations, to experience a beautiful sea, to work well together and to have a great race!

What is the difference between racing inshore and offshore?

There is similarity in both inshore and offshore racing in that there is a lot of tension and concentration when racing inshore, which I don’t particularly like. However offshore racing gives you the space and possibility to experience the sea better, and from this perspective gives you a more complete experience of the sea as a mariner rather than a sailor.

Perché stai facendo questa regata d'altura?

Sto facendo questa regatta d’altura perche stiamo diventando vecchi, e uso il plurale perche io e il mio equipaggio regatiamo insieme da piu di vent’anni, con qualcuno di loro quasi da trenta e visto che abbiamo fatto regate in tutto il mondo, ma non abbiamo fatto una regatta cosi meravigliosa come al Rolex Middle Sea Race. Qualcuno di noi l’ha fatta, io no l’ho fatta, altri non l’hanno fatta, e allora facciamo la Rolex Middle Sea Race che e la piu bella regatta del Mediterraneo.

La mia prossima domanda sarebbe stata se avete fatto questa gara prima, o qualsiasi altra simile. Ha detto che questa e la prima volta che fate la Rolex Middle Sea Race, c’era qualche regatta simile che avete fatto?

Si, ma non c’e nessuna regatta simile alla Rolex Middle Sea Race. La Rolex Middle Sea Race e unica. Per il setting. E bellissima.

Cosa e in attesa di piu, le vostre aspettative in questa gara?

Quella di fare una bella navigazione, di vedere un bel mare, e di stare bene insieme, di fare una buona regata.

Per voi, qual è la differenza tra regate inshore e offshore?

La regatta inshore e un fatto di tensione e concentrazione, e non ci passo per niente. E cosi anche una regatta offshore, pero questa ti da la possibilita e lo spazio di vederti piu il mare e sotto questo punto di vista a piu completa e piu un esperienza di marinaio, di mare, che di Event website