2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race - Global fleet continues to build
by Rolex Middle Sea Race Media 17 Jul 21:59 BST
18 October 2025
Start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2024 © Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
The 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race is scheduled to start on Saturday, 18 October. Yachts ranging in size from 9.75 to 22 metres (32 to 72 feet) have entered so far representing 14 nations, including Australia, Argentina, China and the United States.
The fleet is equally diverse in terms of experience, with debutants and serial attendees. They are united by one overriding ambition: to conquer one of the most beautiful and challenging 600-nautical mile offshore races in the world. Entries remain open until Friday 18 September, and the Royal Malta Yacht Club, organiser of the race since its founding in 1968, is confident of another spectacular gathering.
For the moment, this year's largest entries include the elegant Shipman 72 Caiarossa from Spain, the powerful Volvo 65 Sailing Poland from China, the Botin 65 Artemis Bleu from the United Kingdom, and the Judel/Vrolijk 60 Whisper from Australia. At the other end of the spectrum, the smallest boat in the fleet is Celeste di Mare, a 32-foot Sparkman & Stephens classic. The spread of sizes is testament to the race's appeal to sailors of all levels and every ambition.
Back stories
Despite its name, Sailing Poland brings together an experienced Chinese crew led by Li An, who is on a mission to complete all the world's major offshore races. So far, Li An has taken part in the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the Bermuda Race, as well as being a member of the TP52 Happy Go crew which secured an impressive double of line honours and the overall win at last year's Rolex China Sea Race. The Sailing Poland crew are the first Chinese crew to enter the Rolex Middle Sea Race, and the RMYC is delighted to expand its reach within the Far East.
Li An shared his personal connection with sailing and the reason why he is putting together a crew to test the Mediterranean's most famous offshore race: "We have an expression in Chinese which translates as 'friend and ship', and there is something special to sailing with friends on a boat, on a 'friendship'. For me, offshore sailing is all about friendship, trust and being our real self on board. I consider those I sail with to be true friends."
"The Rolex Middle Sea Race has always been on my bucket list. I had hoped to take part in the race back in 2020, but Covid got in the way, and I have had to wait until now. It has been a long wait, but I am looking forward to it. Many of my friends have told me it is the most beautiful race course in the world. I also know it can also be quite challenging, especially when the Mistral blows all the way down to Malta."
"I have never raced on a Volvo 65 before, but we have worked successfully with Lucy Jackson (the charter broker) on previous occasions, and she will arrange for two professional crew to be onboard with us. Otherwise, we have a number of experienced Chinese sailors, including Jiu 'Wolf' Yang from the Dongfeng Ocean Race Team, and Lijia 'Lily' Xu, Olympic Gold medallist from London 2012. The remaining crew are mostly friends I have sailed with before, and we are very close."
From the other side of the Pacific Ocean and the continent of South America, Humildad Zero skippered by Daniel Figueirido hails from Argentina. The crew will also be participating in its first Rolex Middle Sea Race. Proud to represent the Yacht Club Argentino, Figueirido brings offshore racing experience and considerable passion to the table:
"We have raced in many place around the world including South America, the Caribbean and the Med, and sailing around Sicily will be amazing. We have a few races that we want to take part in, and the Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of them."
"Argentina has a rich maritime heritage with designers like German Frers, as well as sailors like Santiago Lange, the Olympic gold medallist, plus our yacht club is one of the oldest in the Americas."
"Until now the longest race I have participated in is the 500 Miles of the Rio de la Plata (part of the Regata Triangulo del Plata), which I have done double-handed three-times. It is a challenging race because it takes place in July, the coldest month in Argentina!" Figueirido has twice won line honours at this race, and has held the race record since 2009. Humildad Zero is not the first Argentinean entry. The most famous is Alexia B, which won line honours in 1996 for Alberto Roemmers, and returned in 1997 to finish second on the water. No entry from Argentina has ever won the race overall. Yet.
Askew, a Comet 38 from Germany and owned by Akademische Segelgruppe Karlsruhe, will be skippered by Joshua Weller, whose sailing career began in fast dinghies such as 29er, 49er and A-Cats. In recent years he has become increasingly enthused by yacht racing and has developed a real passion. That said, he is another making his Rolex Middle Sea Race debut:
"We decided to take part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race this year because several friends have spoken very highly of it. The long offshore format gives the race a distinctive character, a unique onboard experience and a different rhythm of life. What I enjoy most is the sense of freedom."
"During night watches, you can see the stars far more clearly than anywhere on land, and each sunrise or sunset becomes a special moment. There is something about being at sea that heightens the intensity of every experience. I also appreciate the mental challenge -it is incredibly rewarding."
"Akademische Segelgruppe Karlsruhe is a sailing club that originally grew out of a university sports programme. The 'academic' in the name is a nod to the fact that most of members studied at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). As for the boat, Askew, the name is a bit of a wordplay. The boat regularly competes in events like the Giraglia, and will also be racing in the Palermo-Montecarlo this year."
Representing the Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA), HMSTC Dasher, a Nicholson 55 from the united Kingdom, skippered by Vincent Pietersz, will continue a proud tradition of maritime service and training. The Royal Navy Offshore Sailing team is made up of both full time and reserve sailors and marines. The team has a strong base, many of whom have competed in other offshore races, however growing new sailors is at the core of everything it does and novices are a regular feature in the team. Founded in 1935 with the aim of "encouraging sailing throughout the Service", RNSA still passionately believes sailing is an ideal vehicle for improving personal skills and military efficiency.
An iconic challenge
The Rolex Middle Sea Race is renowned for its tactical complexity and breathtaking course around Sicily, including passages past Stromboli, the Aeolian Islands, and the Strait of Messina. With its unique mix of coastal and offshore conditions - and the potential for both calms and storm-force Mistral winds - the race demands preparation, adaptability, and seamanship at the highest level.
With a starting cannon from Valletta's Grand Harbour on Saturday, 18 October, anticipation is building for another unforgettable edition of this classic Mediterranean adventure.
For those interesting in joining the adventure, the Notice of Race and the online entry system are accessible through the official Rolex Middle Sea Race website. Competitors are encouraged to submit their applications promptly to secure their place and preferred berthing. The RMYC looks forward to welcoming the fleet to Malta in October 2025, continuing the proud tradition of this extraordinary race.
For more information and to register, please visit the official Rolex Middle Sea Race website www.rolexmiddlesearace.com