2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race Counts for More

Valletta, Malta: The achievements of all crews that participated in the 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race will be celebrated tomorrow in fine style. The final prize giving is traditionally held in the historic venue of the Sacra Infermeria overlooking Grand Harbour, where the great adventure begins each year.

Beyond the prizes awarded to those racing under IRC for the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy, ORC for the Boccale del Mediterraneo Trophy and MOCRA for the Captain Morgan Trophy, results at the Rolex Middle Sea Race count for season-long championships in various categories.

According to Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Mark Napier, “All these championships are an important component of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. We are very happy to work in partnership with their respective organisers to promote not just our race, but the offshore racing discipline.”

Perhaps the most prestigious is the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Season’s Points Championship. Introduced in 2000, using the IRC system, it is renowned as the largest such competition anywhere in offshore sailing. Several hundred yachts and several thousand crew participate each year, and prizes are awarded to IRC monohulls, MOCRA multihulls, Class40s and other special categories. The Rolex Middle Sea Race holds pride of place as the first event of the 2027 championship, which includes several other blue water classics such as the RORC Transatlantic, the RORC Caribbean 600 and the Rolex Fastnet Race. A high placing in the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race gives teams targeting the coveted Jazz Trophy, awarded to the overall champion under IRC, the opportunity to bank valuable early points.

The annual International Maxi Association (IMA) Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Championship is another series to include the Rolex Middle Sea Race as its opening event. Although only registered IMA members are eligible to compete for the annual offshore challenge trophy, a record number of monohulls over 60 feet (18 metres) in length participated at the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race, suggesting strong interest in this type of racing among larger yachts. The championship includes events such as Regata dei Tre Golfi, the Aegean 600 and Palermo-Montecarlo. As overall winner, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati's wallyrocket 71, Django 7x, also took overall maxi honours and enters 2027 in pole position.

“Few events combine such extraordinary scenery, history, sporting challenge and emotion as the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Having had the privilege of winning it twice overall, I know first-hand just how demanding this race can be,” advises Giorgio Benussi, IMA Secretary General. “We are delighted to see the increasing number of maxi boats participating, confirming the growing interest in offshore racing and demonstrating how much Royal Malta Yacht Club’s organisation is appreciated by owners and crews. My warmest congratulations go to the RMYC, all the competitors, and particularly to IMA member Giovanni Lombardi Stronati for his outstanding achievement this year.”

For the Class40 Mediterranean Trophy, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is the final event of the season. This year, the organisers also selected the recently launched Cannes-Malta Race, which precedes the offshore classic, to feature in the six race series which began with the Paprec 600 starting from Saint-Tropez in April. Stella Nova and Flamingo Rosso were two of the leading Class40s in the championship heading into the Rolex Middle Sea Race, and Stella Nova’s overall class victory could prove significant according to skipper Louis Torreilles: “It was a crazy race, but definitely one I would like to do again. It is really good training for us, and our good result may have lifted us to the top of the championship standings. Looking ahead, I think every Class 40 in the Mediterranean fleet should come. ”

Performance and luxury yacht builder Nautor Swan has long been a supporter of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and offers a Mediterranean Challenge Trophy to the best-placed Swan entered. This year it was won by ClubSwan 42, Aboat Time. However, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is also valid for the Nautor Swan Med Series and Nautor Swan Maxi Series 2026.

Eight Swan yachts were on the starting line this year, representing different generations of the Finnish yard’s production. Among the highlights were MAJE of Strangford, a Swan 41 that has recently undergone restoration and Sassafras, a Swan 47 all the way from Ontario and sailing under the Canadian flag. With the respective series leaders not participating in Malta, attention turned to the ClubSwan 42s Daring Sisters, Aboat Time and the Swan 651 Lunz Am Meer, all three of which have been hot contenders in the two series during the season, and good results at the Rolex Middle Sea Race may well have propelled them to the top of their respective groups.

Finally, the Royal Malta Yacht Club’s own annual Offshore Challenge Trophy always closes out with the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Encompassing distance racing in May, June, July, September and October, the trophy is open to full members of the RMYC, and the overall winner is announced in December.