A classic race decked with a touch of local colour

By Wilfred Sultana

A point in case is the Rolex Middle Sea Race, now widely recognized as one of the prime events on the international sailing circuit.  Undoubtedly the association of Rolex with the Race as title sponsors in 2002 has given the event added valued exposure opportunities and a standing of excellence as partners in a calendar of some 150 top sport and cultural events patronisedby a name that is acknowledged for its philosophy of quality and achievement.

But since its inception in 1968 the 606-nautical mile Middle Sea Race has enticed to its fold, certainly for its challenge and spirit of adventure, talented skippers and famous yachts who throughout the past 31 editions have contributed to give this offshore classic an identity, such as that cherished by renowned races on the global yachting scene.

Skippers and yachts like Dutchman Cornelious Bruynzeel (Stormvogel), Bermudian Warren Brown (War Baby), Italian Enrico Recchi(Benbow), Australian J.D. Kahlbetzer (Bumblebee IV), Argentinean Alberto Roemmers (Alexia B), Greek Peter Goulandris (Mania), German Albert Buell (Saudade), New Zealander Neville Crichton (Alfa Romeo - Shockwave), British Andres Soriano (Alegre), French Eric Tabarly (Penduik III), Slovenian Igor Simcic (Esimit Europa), and American Bryon Ehrhart (Lucky), just to mention a selection of cosmopolitan participants.

Yes, famous and talented foreign skippers and their professional teams who brought prestige and flair to the Malta event. But the Race was also immediately acclaimed by the local amateur yachtsmen. On the first Race in 1968 there were 8 starters of which only one was a local.  Last year the 31^st edition attracted 75 boats, eleven of which were Maltese skippered and crewed.  

One tends to focus mainly on foreign yachts and skippers when reviewing the RMSR list of participants. But in reality how important is the local participation for the RMSR itself and for Maltese sailing in general?

“No local entry could be called "professional".  We campaign as "Corinthians" and, as commodore of the RMYC, I am very proud of the efforts our members put into their campaigns.  Needless to say, our Maltese talent has surfaced to the very top on many occasions and we have either won or made a very second close many times.  We consider the RMSR as our "Sailing Everest" and due credit is given to those few locals who have conquered her. I can assure you that most local armchair sailors will be surfing the NET supporting our local boys”, observed Commodore Georges Bonello Du Puis.

ArthurPodesta is a fitting example of local yachtsmen enthusiasm towards the RMSR.  Arthur enjoys an ever-present participation record – 31 Races, and looks upon the race with great excitement today as he felt forty years ago.  “I still enjoy preparing my boat for the race, and I still get the adrenalin rush and the butterflies during the pre-start. My enthusiasm is undiminished and is now stimulated by the involvement of my children, Maya, Aaron and Christophe, who race with me and form the core of my crew.” Having won as crew in 1968 (Josian), 1970 (Tikka) and 1983 (Saudade), Arthur came close to winning as a skipper in 2008 (Elusive), finishing third overall.  So Arthur on Elusive 2, a Beneateu First45, will take to sea again on his 32^nd exciting and challenging RMSR mission. Ironically at the end of the coming Race the total number of RMSRs sailed by his children, if added together, would match daddy’s superb record – cause Maya and Aaron would have raced 11 each with Christopherecording his 10^th – 32 races.

Christian Ripard is possibly the local yachtsmen with the second highest number of participation in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.  In fact Christian has done 22 Middle Seas, the first one in 1978 at the age of 17.  Twenty-two races which saw him compete as crew, skipper, co-skipper on different boats, wonderful exciting experiences where he even savoured the magic of victory - two editions, namely in 1996 on Bigfoot and in 2001 on Strait Dealer. The latter was even more ‘tasteful’ as then he even won Line Honours. Christian also has to his credit a lifetime of worldwide racing.  To date this year alone he has raced some 5,000nm, featuring on the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (628nm), the RORC Caribbean 600 (600nm), the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta (85), the Transatlantic (Newport RI USAto Lizard UK) Race (2,975nm) and the Rolex Fastnet Race (608nm), all Ocean Races at the highest international level. In these races he was part of a crew and his job was 'Primary Helmsman'.

In this 32^nd  edition Christian will be again joining Lee Satarianoas co-skipper on Lee’s12.19m J/122 yacht Artiehoping to go one step better than last year where they won second place overall and were first in class. For Satariano this will be his 7^th RMSR where he also placed 2nd overall and 1st in class in 2006.

“The Artie team is made up of 8 local sailors who focus mainly on club racing but who have done the Rolex Middle Sea Race together a few times, previously on the J/109 Artie. The RMSR is a spectacular race not only because of its course set-up but also as there may be so many diverse exciting stages throughout the race as this may restart at various stages to different winds, currents, etc”  remarked Lee Satariano.

Sandro Musu will be looking forward to his 9^th RMSR participation which started in 2002 as crew but he has now been at the helm of his 12m Grand Soleil 40 Aziza since 2004 for seven consecutive Middle Seas. Sandro, who in the 2004 edition finished 5^th Overall and 1st Maltese under IMS, recollects, “To me the Rolex Middle Sea Race, presenting a race course of unique charm and a complex and extensive challenge for both skippers and crews, has become a yearly appointment not to be missed. Since Rolex's involvement in the race, more top sailors and boats are taking part in this must-do event and this makes it even more interesting to us locals competing at such a high level and scoring well”.

Edward Gatt Floridia raced five editions of the RMSR (2004-2008) as crew to Commodore Georges Bonello Du Puis onboard Primadonna and last year onEscape.  In 2009 he made his debut as skipper and last year was joined by his brother Aaron on their Beneteau 11.19m Otra Vez.   For the 32^nd Edition the Gatt Floridia brothers, regular racing partners, will be racing on their 12.19m J122 which upholds the same name of their previous boat Otra Vez.  “Racing the RMSR is a totally different experience from all the other events on our local calendar. It needs a lot of preparation and commitment from all of the crew. It is quite a tough race, depending on conditions but the last two were definitely the hardest due to adverse weather conditions. Still it is the race I look forward to all year round from the moment we cross the finish line on the previous one!”, recalls Edward.

Jonas Diamantino yacht is a 12.48 m Judel Vrojlik ILC 40 (modified for IRC) named Comanche Raider II Gasan Mamo Insurance. Jonas has to his credit ten Middle Seas where his best results were a 2^nd in class ORC, 3^rd in class IRC, and 12^th Overall in 2010. He also experienced a number of international regattas namely the Valencia IMS world championships and the Copa Del Rey in 2000, and the ISAF World Sailing Games J -80 in 2002. “The RMSR for me is the Ultimate annual challenge outside of work.  Boat and mental preparation, the responsibility as skipper and owner, and the stress related to all give me a sharp sense of self awareness.  Putting ones life in the hands of the elements and successfully beating them is a sensation that can not be fairly described in words, and ultimately, the life long bond that is created amongst the crew is something that nothing can break”, narrates Jonas Diamantino.

Indeed thirty-one editions of an inspiring story, with an international cast of determined and passionate performers, which produced an array of super winners. Going through the list of winners by nationality Italy prides itself of 14 victories with citizenNello Mazzaferro (Nita IV) take pleasure in registering a unique three consecutive MSR wins (1978, 1979 and 1980). The next country in line is Malta with five triumphs which represent the achievements of the Ripard family: 1968 John Ripard Sr(Josian), 1970 John Ripard Sr (Tikka), 1996 Christian Ripard (Bigfoot), 2001 Christian Ripard (Strait Dealer) and 2002 John Ripard Jr & Andrew Calascione (Market Wizard). The list of success continues with the USA winning 4 trophies, France, Germany and the UK with 2 victories each and a win apiece for Austria and Greece.

Traditionally the prize giving ceremony attended by some eight hundred guests is really ‘the icing on the cake’.  A real exclusive spectacle where skippers, crews, international jury members, sponsors, local and foreign journalists, race officials and dedicated helpers, families and friends all meet to celebrate and congratulate one and all for another race done. Naturally the most prestigious honoursare the RMSR Trophy Winner, the RMSR Line HonoursTrophy and the RMSR Course Record Trophy.  However, one trophy with great significance and value is the RMSR Youth Cup presented to the youngest crew member on board.  A Trophy introduced four years ago by the Ministry of Education meant for budding 15-16 years-old youngsters who move a great step upward in their sailing ambitions and crew during this daring challenge – a meaningful recognition to local sailing where three of the past four winners were Maltese, namely 2007 MatthewScicluna (Maltese Falcon), 2009 Sean Borg (Strait Dealer) and 2010 Thomas Zammit Tabona (Elusive).

Considering the standing the RMSR has attained on the international racing circuit in recent years, is there further enhancement you would like to endow this classic race with?

“What we have achieved in the past 11 years is truly amazing.  We have invested heavily, especially in web design and with our on board tracking solutions. The event is there… It's one of those that need to be ticked off every sailors list.  There are loads more sailors around the globe that still need to achieve conquering this race so I expect that the numbers will remain high for the next few years. There is a new breed of offshore one-design classes and multi hulls that we can certainly tap and persuade them to make the RMSR part of their sailing calendar, yes definitely....  But like always, you need time and loads of it.  We can't perform miracles, but we get pretty close on some occasions”, firmly believes Commodore Bonello Du Puis.

So, the scenery is all set for another daring ‘expedition to conquer the Middle Sea Everest’. The "professional" will be again in good numbers with the "Corinthians" passionately aiming high to make this 32^nd Edition a worthy contest depicting competitive but sporting and enjoyable sailing. Good winds and a pleasant and safe Race to all!