International Fleet for Yachting Malta Coastal Race

An international fleet of over 40 boats is expected for the Yachting Malta Costal Race, the precursor to the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The Yachting Malta Coastal Race will start from Marsamxett Harbour at 10:00 CEST on Wednesday 20th October. Teams from all over the world will be racing, including teams from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA.

Maltese teams taking on the world class fleet include, Sebastian Ripard’s Calypso, Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla, Sean Borg’s Xpresso. Last year’s overall winner will be back in action, Elusive II, sailed by Christoph, Aaron & Maya Podesta won the Yachting Malta Coastal Race and went on to win the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Chairman of Yachting Malta, John Huber has confirmed that Yachting Malta will be supporting the Coastal Race for the next three editions. Yachting Malta is a partnership between the Government of Malta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The organisation’s primary role is to identify and attract high profile yachting events to the Maltese Islands.

The Yachting Malta Coastal Race is a good training ground for the big race, where crews get to know each other, and equipment gets tested,” commented John Huber. “The presentation after the Coastal Race also serves as an owners’ reception, which is a great occasion for all of the guests to meet with each other socially. The Rolex Middle Sea Race is the biggest sporting event in Malta. As a government entity, Yachting Malta will do everything to promote it.”

RMYC Principal Race Officer,

Peter Dimech commented. “Our intention for the Yachting Malta Coastal Race is to give the crews an opportunity for a shake-down before the main race. This race will have a target time of under five hours for all the boats to finish.”

The 606 nautical-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race will start from Grand Harbour Valletta on Saturday 23rd October.