Five months ago the entry list for this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race stood at just over 20… a record-breaking run of entries looked at risk of ending. But, with three weeks to go, the fleet suddenly shot to 66, eight more than last year’s chart-topping 58. The list comprises some of the biggest and fastest racing monohulls on the planet, crewed by America’s Cup stars and round-the-world race winners. With no fewer than 18 nationalities represented, the race has never looked stronger.
At the top end of the 2006 entry list are three super-maxis.
Neville Crichton’s blisteringly fast Alfa Romeo (NZL) – line honours winner at the Giraglia Rolex Cup this year – and Hasso Plattner’s Transpac record holder Morning Glory (GER) have just finished first and second at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.