Royal Malta Yacht Club and Cannes Yacht Club announce the 2026 Cannes Malta Race
by Royal Malta YC & Cannes YC 11 Apr 00:02 PDT
12 October 2026
Cannes Malta Race © Alex Turnbull
The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) and the Cannes Yacht Club have announced the launch of the 2026 Cannes Malta Race, a compelling offshore event that connects two of the Mediterranean's most celebrated sailing destinations. This year's edition starts on Monday, 5 October 2026 from Cannes, with the prize-giving at the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Monday 12 October.
The approximately 600-nautical-mile course will take competitors from the French Riviera southeast through the Strait of Bonifacio, separating Corsica and Sardinia, before heading south towards the Egadi Islands and the Sicily Strait, and onto the waters of the Maltese archipelago. Timed for early autumn, the race is a technically demanding passage through some of the Mediterranean's most storied sailing grounds. Arriving crews will then have the superb opportunity to extend their racing season by competing in the Rolex Middle Sea Race (which starts on Saturday, 17 October), one of offshore sailing's most renowned events, making the Cannes Malta Race a natural gateway to that celebrated challenge.
Mark Napier, Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, said:
"The Cannes Malta Race represents a natural extension of the Royal Malta Yacht Club's commitment to building meaningful international connections through sailing. Our collaboration with the Cannes Yacht Club reflects a shared vision — one that goes beyond competition to foster lasting relationships between sailors, clubs, and nations. This race not only offers a compelling offshore challenge across the Mediterranean, but also provides a unique pathway for crews to experience Malta at its finest, culminating in participation in the Rolex Middle Sea Race — one of the sport's most iconic events."
Jeff Cutugno, Commodore of the Cannes Yacht Club, added:
"Our partnership with the Royal Malta Yacht Club is rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a common ambition to connect sailing communities across borders. The Cannes Malta Race embodies this spirit — linking the French Riviera with the heart of the Mediterranean through a course that is both technically engaging and culturally enriching. It is an invitation to our sailors to extend their season, embrace new horizons, and be part of a broader narrative that celebrates cooperation, camaraderie, and the enduring appeal of offshore racing."
The World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Category 2 race is open to IRC, ORC, Double-Handed, Multihull, and Offshore One Design classes with a minimum hull length of nine (9) metres. The Visit Malta Trophy will be awarded to the first monohull boat to finish the race on elapsed time. The 20Twenty Cannes-Malta Trophy will be awarded to the overall winner on corrected time in the IRC Category. Berthing is available for all competing boats at both clubs at no additional cost, from 28 September to 5 October in Cannes, and until 13 October in Malta.
Entries may be made via the event website. The closing date for entries is Friday 4 September 2026, although the organisers may accept late entries up to 18 September.