Middle Sea Race 2026 | Coastal Race start images
by Bow Caddy Media 16 Oct 17:21 PDT
17 October 2026
Sometimes informally referred to as a warm-up to the main feature of the Middle Sea Race around Malta, this year The Coastal Race certainly got the fleet warmed up!
Yacht races rarely start early morning, but if you're offered 20-25 knots and a solid seaway, that early creamy morning light is wonderful. The forecast breeze for Saturday's Rolex Middle Sea Race start is a little less sporty, sadly. But with the backdrop of Valetta's massive fortifications, and a great fleet, the images will still look great.
The fleet in yesterday's punchy Coastal Race set off in four groups - from lowest to highest IRC rating brackets. It was a fast race with the majority of the fleet having crossed the finish line at the entrance to Marsamxett Harbour by mid afternoon. Meantime, a number of the larger/faster yachts in the Middle Sea Race - Django 7, Pace, Ocean Breeze, Black Jack, Daguet 5 etc headed sailed out of the harbour for testing and checking prior to Saturday's race start.