46th Rolex Middle Sea Race - Accomplishment at its best
by Quinag 7 Oct 2025 13:56 UTC
18 October 2025
Rolex Middle Sea Race © Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
For most people, the idea of a week in the Mediterranean evokes a picture of sun-drenched coastlines, shimmering blue water, a relaxed pace and delicious cuisine. For those competing in the annual Rolex Middle Sea Race, the image is very different.
Taking on the 606-nautical mile yacht race, which starts and finishes in Malta, can mean facing long periods of being wet and cold. Meals and sleep are snatched not savoured. A change of clothing is a luxury and often not an option. The diversity of challenges makes this race a test of spirit as much as skill. Its rewards are measured by more than results: what one learns about oneself during moments of chaos and stress, the ability to transcend fatigue and fear, and the accomplishment attainable through teamwork, these are the real achievements.
The 46th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race starts on Saturday, 18 October. Rolex has partnered both the race and its organizer, the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC), since 2002.Throughout this period, the event has grown considerably in stature and rightly sits alongside the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex China Sea Race within the Swiss watchmaker's portfolio of classic offshore contests.
Rolex Testimonee Tom Slingsby, a three-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year, took part in 2021, securing a rare treble, namely, monohull line honours, overall winner and a new course record. In doing so, he discovered what it meant to prevail in this demanding contest:
"The Rolex Middle Sea Race may be one of the most beautiful courses, but it is also one of the most complex. It has everything - narrow tidal straits, open-water legs, light airs, strong breezes, high mountains and islands. The variety is relentless. Achieving so much on my first race is something I will always be proud of, but the real achievement lies in finding the courage to face the elements and experiencing how a team can come together to overcome the challenges."
The event bears all the hallmarks of a great offshore race. It has an inspiring start location, the Maltese capital Valletta offering a grand point of departure. It has an iconic symbol, the volcanic island of Stromboli, one of the key turning points on the circular course around Sicily. There is close connection with nature throughout, including spellbinding scenery and encounters with wildlife. The geography is exceptional, taking in Mount Etna, the second active volcano, the rugged beauty of the Aeolian and Aegadian islands, and the isolated outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to Africa than Europe.
First held in 1968, each edition has served to reinforce the race's reputation as one of the most technically demanding and tactically rich offshore contests in the world. The frequent changes in compass course, brought about by the race's circular character, can lead to many variations in the conditions encountered, from the strength and angle of the wind to the size and shape of the waves. The race can transition from benign to ferocious in the blink of an eye.
Robert Scheidt, another former Rolex World Sailor of the Year and Rolex Testimonee, has first-hand experience of these challenges: "If you want to experience offshore sailing at its finest, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a must-do race. It can be tough, and it can be brutal. It is an achievement just to complete a course like the Rolex Middle Sea Race. A lot of things need to come together. When you cross the finish line, whatever the result, you know you have completed something special."
The race is highly regarded for the character of the crews that gather each October. Held deliberately late in the Mediterranean sailing season, the race attracts those unflinching in their desire to face the unknown, to put aside any personal apprehension, to be part of a team. This year's fleet is no exception, with the crew of 2024 overall winner Red Bandit defending its title, the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race line honours winner Black Jack 100 participating for a second year in a row, and the return of Stormvogel, which took part in the inaugural race. RMYC Commodore Mark Napier is confident of another impressive entry:
"We are frequently told that just completing this race is an accomplishment to be valued, and each year it is a privilege for the Royal Malta Yacht Club to welcome all crews, both first-timers and those drawn again and again. For more than 20 years now, since we began our partnership with Rolex, the Middle Sea Race has consistently attracted a stellar fleet from around the globe, with crews ranging from elite sailing talent to the intrepid, skilled Corinthians. This is a source of great pride."
Without question, teamwork lies at the heart of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Over the course of two to five days, sometimes more, sailors must battle unpredictable Mediterranean weather, where calm is as mentally and physically draining as rough. The ability to draw strength from one's companions, to trust implicitly, is vital to completing the course. There is no other assistance on hand, no pit lane support, no helpline.
The race's coveted prize is the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy, awarded to the overall winner on corrected time. The range of recent victors offers an insight into the open nature of competition. Triumphant crews have included: Elusive 2, sailed by expert local sailors with vast experience of the course; Red Bandit, formed predominantly of young German athletes; Courrier Recommandé, a French team with serious pedigree; and state-of-the-art Italian maxi, Bullitt.
While the outstanding human achievement of the overall winning team is recognized also by a specially engraved Rolex timepiece, the trophies and titles are only part of the story. The race forms a key part of Rolex's near 70-year relationship with the sport, and the brand celebrates the journey undertaken by all competitors, each marked by milestones, emotions and defining moments.