Italian crews sweep Rolex Middle Sea Race

The 47th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race concluded with an all-Italian podium, marking a memorable finish for the offshore challenge that spans 606 miles.

The course began and ended in Malta’s historic Grand Harbour, then looped around the island of Sicily, passed through the narrow Straits of Messina, continued to the volcanic island of Stromboli, visited Favignana, skirted Pantelleria, and reached Lampedusa before turning back toward the Maltese coast.

High-tech triumph

The overall victory was claimed by Django 7x, a 21.70-meter vessel commissioned by Wally for the Ferretti Group. Owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati helmed the boat, supported by a multinational crew that featured tactician Vasco Vascotto and experienced sailors Guillermo Parada, Michele Ivaldi and Shannon Falcone.

“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a legendary event, one every owner and sailor dreams of winning,” Lombardi Stronati said, emphasizing that the triumph reflected teamwork and a shared love of the sea.

In a close duel, Django 7x edged out Balthasar, a Maxi 72 owned by Belgian skipper Filip Balcaen, who had captured the previous edition.

Double-handed victory

In the Double Handed division, the 10.80-meter craft Colombre prevailed, crewed solely by Massimo Iuris and Pietro Luciani. The duo also topped the IRC 6 and ORC 6 classes, beating boats with full crews.

Read Also: US debt sparks growing investor concern

Iuris and Luciani alternated at the helm, managing navigation, sail trim and onboard life for the entire passage. Their partnership, forged over a decade, had already delivered a Double Handed win in 2013.

While one platform showcases the latest in hull engineering and sail technology, the other proves that coordinated skill and trust can rival any high-performance machine.

The competition is organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and sits alongside other premier offshore contests such as the Fastnet and Sydney Hobart races.

Sailors reported conditions that shifted from gentle breezes in the early morning to stronger gusts as the fleet entered the central Mediterranean, with occasional rough seas that tested the crews’ abilities.

The award ceremony is set for Saturday, 24 October, in the historic Sacra Infermeria of Valletta, now home to the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The venue, a former 16th-century building, will provide a grand backdrop for the trophy presentation.