Fleet numbers for the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race are filling out fast, and the 606 nautical mile classic out of Malta's Grand Harbour is shaping up to be another big one. The 47th edition starts on Saturday 17 October, with entries closing Friday 18 September, though late entries may be squeezed in until 25 September at the organiser's discretion.
This year also marks 30 years since the race's revival. It folded after 1983, came back in 1996 with just 21 boats from Italy, Malta, Austria and Argentina, and has grown into one of the sport's genuine drawcards ever since.
The current fleet spans more than 20 nations and territories, from Canada, the United States and Uruguay in the west through to Türkiye, Finland and much of western Europe. There's no shortage of good stories among them.
Canadian owner-skipper Michael Cullen is racing Sassafras, a 1977 Swan 47, as part of a global bucket list. "She's a big old beautiful boat, named after the essential ingredient in root beer," Cullen said. After Malta, Sassafras heads to the UK for next year's Rolex Fastnet Race, with the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Aegean 600 hoped for after that.
A Swan 47 called Lazy Duck raced in that 1996 phoenix edition, a reminder of just how durable the Sparkman & Stephens design has been.
Guillermo Parada returns 30 years after debuting at the race as helmsman and tactician aboard line honours winner Alexia. He's back this time on the Wallyrocket 71 Django 7X, owned by Giovanni Lombardi Stronati. "I'm particularly happy to be racing in the Rolex Middle Sea Race again," Parada said. "This year I'll be back aboard Django 7X, together with my friend Vasco Vascotto and some of the other guys with whom I have shared so many sailing campaigns over the years."
Stronati's crew were serious contenders last year too, finishing just five minutes behind overall winner Balthasar on corrected time aboard the Botin 52 Django Deer. With similar IRC ratings, another close battle between the pair looks likely.
Türkiye's Arkas Sailing Team, led by Bernard Arkas, are back for a fourth crack at the race, now campaigning the TP52 Arkas Blue Moon after starting out on a Kerr 40 in 2015. "What we love most about the Rolex Middle Sea Race are the range of weather conditions, the challenge of the course, and the incredible scenery, especially the active volcanoes," said Metin Serifhan.
Newcomer Babiana, a 27 metre Oyster 885GT owned by Anthony Ward and skippered by Edward Lowes, arrives fresh off completing the Oyster World Rally circumnavigation. This will be her first proper offshore race.
Swiss sailor Franco Niggeler is back after a year off, campaigning the new Mark Mills-designed MAT 1220 Kuka 4, having finished third overall in 2024 aboard Kuka 3.
Maltese sailor Jonathan Gambin will start his 19th Middle Sea Race aboard the Dufour 44 Ton Ton Laferla. "By now taking part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race has become almost automatic," Gambin said. "The weather, and a little luck, will still have the final say."
No New Zealand entries have been named so far. But with the race's global pull and its place on the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Championship calendar, it remains firmly on the radar for Kiwi offshore sailors watching from afar.
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