Seven Maltese boats are scheduled join a fleet of over twenty yachts competing in this weekend’s Syracuse – Malta Race. The race which is celebrating its 63rd run, makes it the oldest offshore race in the Mediterranean.

The 110 nautical mile race was conceived by John Illingworth, a famed sailor in the British Navy, its name has been written in the annals of Mediterranean sailing history.

Co-hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Lega Navale Italiana (Sezione di Siracusa), the race welcomes boats from Italy and Malta, eager to race in a highly competitive yet friendly environment. With alternating starts taking place each year, this year the fleet will set sail from Syracuse and finish in Malta.

The Maltese fleet promises to be a strong one. Amongst the boats taking part are Lee Satariano’s Artie III who established the current course record which now stands at twenty-four hours, fifty minutes, and forty seconds. Whilst last year’s IRC Class winner Maltese Falcon II was in the meantime sold to foreign owners, its crew will still be competing, this year joining forces with Horst Huelsey on Be Free.

The other Maltese boats joining the fleet are the Ripard family’s Calypso, Luis Azzopardi and Sara Baldwin’s Corona, Kevin Pisani Zammit’s Dimm, Mark Camilleri’s Pep and Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla Insurance.

Last year’s winner ORC Class winner Domenguin, skippered by Davide Momigliano, features on this year’s fleet list, undoubtedly attempting to retain his race trophy.

The 2023 Malta – Syracuse Race will leave Syracuse on Saturday and will finish the course at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, where a prize giving ceremony will take place on Sunday evening.