Saturday morning the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race got underway from Grand Harbour, Malta.
117 yachts crossed the start line in seven groups, by late afternoon, the leading competitors were closing on Capo Passero on the southeast corner of Sicily.
Positions update 23:50 Saturday 18 Oct:
1st MON Black Jack 100 – dist Sailed – 145 NM
2nd MAL Balthaser – dist Sailed – 125 NM
3rd FRA Daguet 5 – dist Sailed – 109 NM
4th AUS Whisper – dist Sailed – 105 NM
5th USA Final Final – dist Sailed – 103 NM
6th ITA CippA Lippa X – dist Sailed – 101 NM
First GBR:
18th GBR Maverick – dist Sailed – 97 NM
First away Saturday were the five multihulls.
The early leader was the maxi multihull Allegra (SUI) a custom Nigel Irens design. Since leading off the line, the team has put 20 nm between their closest rival Falcon, the foiling DNA F4 (ITA).
