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    Rolex Middle Sea Race

    17–24 October 2026provisionalGrand Harbour, Malta, and a course around Sicily — Valletta, Malta

    The Middle Sea Race closes the Mediterranean season with a genuinely scenic 606-mile course: out of Grand Harbour, up the east coast of Sicily, past the volcanoes, around Favignana and Pantelleria, and back to Malta. Autumn Mediterranean weather makes it as tactical as it is beautiful.

    Official organiser: Royal Malta Yacht ClubOrganiser profile & their other events

    Dates shown are indicative windows based on where each event traditionally sits in the season. Always confirm the current edition with the organiser before booking or entering.

    Race format

    • 606 nautical miles, anticlockwise around Sicily, starting and finishing in Malta
    • IRC handicap racing with line honours and overall trophies
    • Landmark course marks including Stromboli, Favignana, and Pantelleria
    • Held in October, when Mediterranean transitions produce big weather swings

    Who it suits

    • Mediterranean-based programmes closing out the season
    • Charter and delivery operators positioned around Malta and Sicily
    • Destination marketing teams tying sailing to autumn shoulder-season travel

    Planning notes

    • October in the central Mediterranean can deliver anything from windless nights to gale-force fronts — plan sail inventory for both extremes.
    • Malta's Grand Harbour start is one of the most photogenic in sailing; brief your media team to shoot it properly.
    • For marinas and hospitality: the race week is a strong shoulder-season demand driver worth its own landing page.

    Venue & location

    Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

    Racing area
    Grand Harbour, Malta, and a course around Sicily
    Address
    Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
    Coordinates
    35.8931, 14.5148

    Approximate location of the Grand Harbour start and finish in Valletta. The course runs anticlockwise around Sicily. Coordinates are approximate and for orientation only — never use them for navigation.

    Open the venue in a full map

    Event photos & logo

    We publish photography and event marks only where the owner has cleared it and can be credited by name, so there is no gallery for Middle Sea Race yet. Photographers, clubs and organisers: send images to info@digitalsailors.org with the credit line and licence you want shown and we will publish them with your credit and a link back to you.

    Middle Sea Race FAQs

    How long is the Rolex Middle Sea Race?
    The course is approximately 606 nautical miles, starting and finishing in Malta and running anticlockwise around Sicily via the Aeolian Islands, Favignana, and Pantelleria.
    When is the Middle Sea Race held?
    It traditionally runs in the second half of October. Confirm the exact start date for the coming edition with the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

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