Rolex Middle Sea Race - Emma wins Swan Mediterranean Challenge trophy

by Nautor's Swan on 25 Oct 2013 The Rolex Middle Sea Race concluded this week in Malta with Swan 60 Emma taking the title of the best placed Swan to win the Swan Mediterranean Challenge trophy, after completing the 600 plus nautical mile race around the island of Sicily.

The 34th edition of the race, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club began on the 19th October. The spectacular start in the historic Grand Harbour, and the scenic yet challenging course around Sicily and other beautiful islands, made it a race to remember for the Swan entrants; especially for Swan 60 Emma, who completed the course in a corrected time of four days, eight hours, 42 minutes and 39 seconds.

Commenting on Swan 60 Emma’s performance, owner Dr Johann Killinger said; 'I have had a wonderful time on Emma at the Rolex Middle Sea Race. There were many reasons why we wanted to enter this race, primarily because of the interesting routing and also because of the timing. Our expectations were more than matched, with us coming first overall out of all ORC boats and third overall out of the IRC entries.

We had winds of between 0 and 20 knots and all kinds of upwind, downwind, and reach conditions. The first highlight was the start with the wonderful scenery of the Malta harbour; we had the best start of all boats which gave the crew great motivation for the whole race. The finish was of the same quality, we reached the finish line at the Malta Yacht Club at sunset with the wind dying. All in all it was a wonderful event and we very much hope to be back one day with Emma.

Looking ahead to 2014, in the first half of the year we will probably be cruising with Emma in the Aegean and maybe in the Black Sea. In the second half of the year we may want to do one or two races, maybe Copa Del Rey and/or the Swan Cup in Sardinia, we are also considering participating in the IMA Transatlantic Race to the BVI in late November.'

Dr Killinger, who helmed Emma during the race, will be presented with the beautiful Swan Mediterranean Challenge trophy on Saturday at the prize giving. The Swan Mediterranean Challenge Trophy is awarded as part of the Swan Challenge Series, which recognises Swans’ performance in the most demanding offshore races.

Swan 53 Music also achieved excellent results, finishing fifth overall in IRC Class three, based on a corrected time of four days, 22 hours, 47 minutes and 32 seconds. Swans entered this year ranged in size from the Swan 46 to the Swan 65 and included Swan models from the current SwanLine including a Swan 53 and a Swan 60.

The next event in the Swan Challenge Series is the ARC race, the ARC is a ‘must do’ for many sailors, and attracts over 200 boats to sail 2800 NM across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia.