fbpx

Sign In

  • Event date: 21/10/2023
  • Event end: 28/10/2023
  • When: OCT-DEC
  • Duration: 1 week

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney – Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a “must-do” race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968. 2023 will be the 44th Edition and the 54th anniversary of the start of this race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to several islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as “the most beautiful race course in the world”.

Rolex Middle Sea Race Course

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is 608 nautical miles long and is sailed anti-clockwise. Starting from the Grand Harbour, Valletta, beneath Fort St Angelo and the Saluting Battery in Valletta, the fleet head north along the eastern coasts of Sicily up towards the Straits of Messina. Mt Etna is usually visible on the fleet’s port side, billowing ashes and lava throughout the night. Once through the Straits, the course leads north to the Aeolian Islands and the active volcano of Stromboli, where the yachts turn west to the Egadi Islands.

Passing between Marettimo and Favignana, the crews head south towards the island of Lampedusa, leaving Pantelleria to port.

Once past Lampedusa, the fleet turns northeast on the final leg towards the South Comino Channel and finishes at Marsamxett Harbour. En route, the crews take in an amazing diversity of landscape and sea conditions, all of which combine to create the attraction and challenge of the race.

Coastal Race Course

Depending on the weather, the race will begin in Marsamxett Harbour, head towards the Island of Gozo and return past Comino. The course of the above coastal race may be altered depending on weather conditions. Final instructions for the coastal race will be given during the Coastal Race Briefing. The starts on Wednesday before the start of the Middle Sea Race on Saturday.

Program 2023

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Registration

Onsite Registrations will take place between Monday 16th October – Thursday 19th October, from 0900hrs – 1300hrs and 1400hrs to 1700hrs.

2023 | Yachting Malta Coastal Race Briefing (optional)

A Race Briefing for skippers and navigators of boats taking part in the Coastal Race will take place on Tuesday 17th October at 1800hrs.

2023 |Yachting Malta Coastal Race (optional)

The Coastal Race gives competitors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with local waters. The race follows one of four courses around Malta, Gozo, Comino or Fifla.
The Coastal Race is supported by Yachting Malta Ltd.

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Crew Party

The famed Crew Party makes a welcome and highly anticipated return, where crews will let their hair down just before the race!

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Briefing

The Skippers’ Race and Weather Briefing will take place on Friday afternoon at 1800hrs, prior to the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Start

The race starts in Malta’s spectacular Grand Harbour. A series of starts which may be watched from any of Valletta’s fortifications, create a sight worth waiting for.

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Prize Giving

The Prize Giving ceremony will celebrate all those taking a trophy home. Trophies will be presented to the winners of the various categories.

Accommodation

If you are looking for accommodation before the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, we can give you these suggestions.

Grand Hotel Excelsior in Floriana/Malta next to the old town of Valletta hosts most teams and is connected to the Malta Yacht club with a water taxi. Contact person is alexia.bugeja@excelsior.com.mt; 00356 – 23192110. There is no problem to store your luggage in the hotel if you like while racing.
Other suggestions are Air BnB and Chapter 5 hotel.

Malta’s airport has direct links to over 90 airports in three continents.

A number of airlines fly regularly to and from Malta.

Air Malta is the island’s national airline, however, a number of other airlines also offer regularly scheduled flights — some of these airlines are Air France, Alitalia, Easyjet, Emirates, Lufthansa, Ryanair and  Turkish Airlines.

Visit Malta

VisitMalta is the official website for Malta, Gozo & Comino. Malta is a great place to visit for sea, sun, culture, attractions and all-year-round events.
Boats
Program

Program 2023

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Registration

Onsite Registrations will take place between Monday 16th October – Thursday 19th October, from 0900hrs – 1300hrs and 1400hrs to 1700hrs.

2023 | Yachting Malta Coastal Race Briefing (optional)

A Race Briefing for skippers and navigators of boats taking part in the Coastal Race will take place on Tuesday 17th October at 1800hrs.

2023 |Yachting Malta Coastal Race (optional)

The Coastal Race gives competitors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with local waters. The race follows one of four courses around Malta, Gozo, Comino or Fifla.
The Coastal Race is supported by Yachting Malta Ltd.

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Crew Party

The famed Crew Party makes a welcome and highly anticipated return, where crews will let their hair down just before the race!

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Briefing

The Skippers’ Race and Weather Briefing will take place on Friday afternoon at 1800hrs, prior to the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Start

The race starts in Malta’s spectacular Grand Harbour. A series of starts which may be watched from any of Valletta’s fortifications, create a sight worth waiting for.

2023 | Rolex Middle Sea Race Prize Giving

The Prize Giving ceremony will celebrate all those taking a trophy home. Trophies will be presented to the winners of the various categories.
Tips

Accommodation

If you are looking for accommodation before the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, we can give you these suggestions.

Grand Hotel Excelsior in Floriana/Malta next to the old town of Valletta hosts most teams and is connected to the Malta Yacht club with a water taxi. Contact person is alexia.bugeja@excelsior.com.mt; 00356 – 23192110. There is no problem to store your luggage in the hotel if you like while racing.
Other suggestions are Air BnB and Chapter 5 hotel.

Malta’s airport has direct links to over 90 airports in three continents.

A number of airlines fly regularly to and from Malta.

Air Malta is the island’s national airline, however, a number of other airlines also offer regularly scheduled flights — some of these airlines are Air France, Alitalia, Easyjet, Emirates, Lufthansa, Ryanair and  Turkish Airlines.

Visit Malta

VisitMalta is the official website for Malta, Gozo & Comino. Malta is a great place to visit for sea, sun, culture, attractions and all-year-round events.

Our Guests Experiences

Features

Video

Location

Verified Listing
1 person bookmarked this place