In a record fleet of 122 yachts from 24 countries, Esimit Europa 2 set sails from the Grand Harbour in Valletta towards Sicily in a light breeze, just after midday today, in the 35th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. The 608-mile course will take the participating yachts on one of the most scenic but challenging courses - around Sicily, towards the Strait of Messina, rounding the active volcano Stromboli, the Egadi Islands, Pantelleria and Lampedusa, with the finish in Malta’s capital Valletta.
“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is the highlight of the year for the European offshore sailing. It’s a very traditional race and one of the best races we do each year. It is also a very challenging race for our boat and our team,” said the skipper of Esimit Europa 2, Jochen Schümann, after the yacht arrived to Malta for the start of the race. On the way from Trieste, Esimit Europa 2 was on a record attempt, connecting two cities and two races – Barcolana and Rolex Middle Sea race - but had to abandon it due to a broken spreader. “After a hard day of work to repair the spreader, we are now well prepared for the race and we are looking forward to it, even though it looks like it will be again in a light air,” added Schümann and also pointed out the challenges of this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race: “We must and want to win the line honours once more – it would already be the fourth win for Esimit Europa 2 at this race. The strongest opponents are some mini maxis and the new tracking system makes it a little bit easier for them, because we are sailing two to four hours ahead of them, so we are kind of the wind indicator for the whole fleet following us.”
The navigator of Esimit Europa 2, Tom Addis, who has sailed in this race before, also the year when the current record was set, presented his expectations for the conditions during the race: “It looks fairly light, but tricky across the top of Sicily. It is certainly not looking like a record year, which is something the big boats are always looking for. For now it is looking like a solid three and a half day race, but there are still lots of unknowns in that light area across the top of Sicily.”
Esimit Europa 2 has taken line honours in the years from 2010 – 2012, becoming only the second yacht in the history of the Rolex Middle Sea Race to take it three times in a row. Last year, due to a broken mast, Esimit Europa 2 had to withdraw its participation from the 2013 edition of the race, but has this year returned to this classic Mediterranean race to chase another victory.
