Rolex Middle Sea Race 2002

ROLEX SPONSORS MIDDLE SEA RACE Malta's premier yacht race, due to start on the 26th October, gains further international exposure with new sponsorship deal... Malta's most famous yachting event, the Middle Sea Race, gained greater international recognition today with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship agreement with Rolex S.A, the world-renowned international watch maker. The 607 nautical mile Rolex Middle Sea Race takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean and covers one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Unique in that it starts and finishes in Malta, the route includes the deep azure waters of Sicily and the Straits of Messina, the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa and, even features Stromboli's active volcano as a course mark. In addition, two days of coastal races around Malta and Gozo will be organized prior to the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Scheduled on 26th October, the Rolex Middle Sea Race will include a Double Handed Class for the first time. The winners of the IMS/ORC Club Racer, IMS/ORC Club Cruiser, IRC/IRM Class Racer and the IRC/IRM Class Cruiser will be presented with a magnificent Rolex Chronometer. The Rolex Middle Sea Race now joins other prestigious Rolex-sponsored events including the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, the Rolex Sydney Hobart, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Giraglia Rolex Cup, the St. Francis Big Boat Series and the International Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas. 26th October 2002. The theatre of dreams that is Marsamxett Harbour at the start of the RMSR was nothing less than spectacular. For some the dream seemed to be broken early at the start of this offshore classic. Primadonna, one of the foreign favourites for handicap victory found herself over early on the first start. As the spectator fleet of yachts, including the magnificent Gullit Hera, and the crowds by the shore turned for home, the last of the 42 boat fleet turned up the coast towards St. Paul's. Outside the harbour the wind was a steady north westerly force 4, but a swell had been developing all morning and this meant a hard ride for those boats that did not stay close to the shore. Those boats benefiting from experience and knowledge of the local conditions stayed close in and enjoyed slighter sea conditions and better wind.