Rolex Middle Sea Race 2024 – Young Crew Triumphs in Challenging Conditions

First staged in 1968, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the world’s premier classic yacht races, treasured for the camaraderie it engenders among competitors. In 2024, the Grand Harbour of Malta’s capital Valetta once again provided a spectacular departure point for the professional and amateur crews taking part.Contested by an international fleet of 112 yachts, the 45th edition of the 606-nautical mile race was typically challenging, presenting crews with a myriad of weather conditions. Emerging as overall race winner on handicap was the TP52 Red Bandit, crewed primarily by young German sailors developing their offshore racing experience under a pathway programme created by skipper Carl-Peter Forster. Hong Kong entry Scallywag 100 had earlier claimed line honours as the first boat to finish. Rolex has partnered the Mediterranean’s most prestigious offshore race and its organizer, the Royal Malta Yacht Club, since 2002 as part of the brand’s long-standing relationship with yachting dating back to the late 1950s. Discover more https://on.rolex.com/411DGMw Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport. #RolexMiddleSeaRace #Yachting