At 2100 CEST on Wednesday, 25 October, the winner of the 44th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race was announced as the Italian Wally 93 Bullitt, skippered by Andrea Recordati.
The announcement was made shortly after the double-handed entry Red Ruby crossed the finish line at 20.51.35, 24 seconds outside the time required to move into first place.
The Royal Malta Yacht Club has confirmed that none of the remaining yachts still racing is able to better Bullitt’s corrected time.
“When I came into the Rolex Middle Sea Race my dream was to win class,” said Recordati, on being informed by the Race Director. “That would have been a fantastic result in itself against boats more adapted to this type of offshore race.”
“Coming first overall in corrected time, honestly, I am still having difficulty believing it. I am ecstatic. I am super happy for the boat, she deserves it. I am especially happy for my crew. I have an exceptional team and they really deserve this too.”
Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.
Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)
Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll
Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth
