I always try and get in a bit of sailing before the annual Malta Middle Sea Race – and having recently joined the Royal Malta Yacht Club as a full member it’s good to get in a bit of practice. By October, the island – further south than much of the North African coast has lost its summer heat but the weather can be changeable.
I’m out on a 42 Bavaria courtesy of one of the Yacht Club members as we head out of the Grand Harbour and into open waters, practicing some tacking and various other sheet manoeuvres before settling down for a lunch at this beautiful, sea carved feature, prior to sailing all the way back. A great afternoon.
The Rolex-sponsored annual Middle Sea Race is a couple of days later, and although I’m not participating, the Yacht Club are the host, attracting the glamorous, wealthy, and gorgeous for one of Malta’s primary social – and sporting events. The course changes each year however the basics remain the same – to Sicily, around the island, then back again. This sounds literally, a breeze – but weather conditions can turn very quickly in the Mediterranean – it is a relatively shallow sea and serious waves and rocky conditions can whip up within an hour. Yachts have sunk and experienced sailors have died attempting it.
I’m safe on land for this one though, watching from the Yacht Club’s private vantage point between Upper and Lower Baraka Gardens, accompanied by the Knights Templar.
Soon the races get underway, although I note the weather conditions are a little erratic in the Grand Harbour, with a developing small breeze bouncing off the rampart walls and meaning tacking is necessary just to get out.
But once they are out of the harbour, the wind begins to pick up and they are off. I look up at the sky as a small, singular spot of rain splashes into my Mimosa. And soon I need to literally hold onto my hat as those winds begin to pick up and ominous dark clouds appear. It’s going to be fast speeds and bumps along the way to Sicily and back this year…
And the winner is…