Early entries for Rolex Middle Sea Race 2012

Although this year's edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is not due to start till October preparations for it are already being made at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

A good number of boats have already confirmed their entry. As is typical of this race the entries so far vary from the medium size production boats to top professional maxis and hail from as many as eight countries. This year's fleet promises to be at least as varied and interesting as in previous years. Some of these were here before. Valentin Zubkov's Shipman 63 Coral was one of the first to register followed soon after by Niklas Zennstrom's extremely competitive and well known 72 foot racer RAN. Beppe Bisotto with Atame and Filippo Lancellotti with Sciara who both rarely miss the race are back too. Other notable entries include Darren Wright's maxi Idea and Andy Bedgen's Volvo 70 Monster Project.

The race starts on 20th October. Boats may enter for this race until the 12th October by submitting an application on line. The Notice of Race may be downloaded from the event website.

Starting and finishing in Malta the 606nm course takes you around Sicily and some of the most spectacular islands around it.

George David's Rambler (USA) established the current Course Record of 47 hours 55 minutes and 3 seconds in 2007