FORTY YEARS YOUNG - 2008 ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE OPEN FOR ENTRY

30 April 2008

2008 is a significant milestone in the history of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, marking forty years since the Swan 36 Josian won the inaugural race. Already, this year's fleet shows signs of being something special. Not only are two of the very latest and fastest supermaxis - Leopard 3 and Speedboat slated to participate, but also one of the original maxis and the line honours winner in that first ever race - the once formidable Stormvogel.

The Royal Malta Yacht Club is extremely proud of the heritage surrounding its classic 606 nautical-mile offshore race that began in relatively humble circumstances in 1968 when 8 yachts raced the course for the first time. The race has seen good times and bad. In early editions, entry levels rose quickly and featured some of the iconic yachts of the 70s and early 80s - Nirvana, Mistress Quickly, Helisara, Pen Duick III, Ondine, Orca. A period of decline led to the race not being held for a while, but since its rebirth in 1996, the Club ...