The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney – Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a “must-do” race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968. 2026 will be the 47th Edition of this race and you will be part of it.
The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to several islands, which form marks of the course.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race is 606 nautical miles long and is sailed anti-clockwise.
Starting from the Grand Harbour, Valletta, beneath Fort St Angelo and the Saluting Battery in Valletta, the fleet head north along the eastern coasts of Sicily up towards the Straits of Messina. Mt Etna is usually visible on the fleet’s port side, billowing ashes and lava throughout the night.
Once through the Straits, the course leads north to the Aeolian Islands and the active volcano of Stromboli, where the yachts turn west to the Egadi Islands.
Passing between Marettimo and Favignana, the crews head south towards the island of Lampedusa, leaving Pantelleria to port.
Once past Lampedusa, the fleet turns northeast on the final leg towards the South Comino Channel and finishes at Marsamxett Harbour.
En route, the crews take in an amazing diversity of landscape and sea conditions, all of which combine to create the attraction and challenge of the race.
The race features impressive architecture, extraordinary nature and absorbing history, passing two active volcanoes - Etna and Stromboli
The dramatic start from Grand Harbour is always spectacular, with a cannon shot from Valletta's historic bastions signaling the beginning
The race attracts a diverse fleet in terms of yacht design, size and age, crew composition and ambition, with typically 100+ boats from over 25 countries participating
Critical sections include the Messina Strait passage, rounding Stromboli volcano, and navigating the challenging conditions north of Sicily. The racecourse comprises numerous changes in direction, demanding full focus, as jeopardy literally lies around each corner
Green Dragon competed in the 2008 – 2009 Volvo Ocean Race with Ian Walker, British Olympic silver medallist, making his debut as skipper. Green Dragon finished 5th. Ian Walker later won the 2015 race with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Green Dragon is a Volvo 70 Class boat for serious racing, race charter and cruising. She shines in reaching conditions and is an outstanding overall performer in a race like the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Johannes Schwarz is a very experienced Volvo 70 skipper and sail trainer. He is a great motivator for sailors and teams and is leading them safely across oceans and race courses.
Experience
Johannes logged more than 300.000 offshore miles on 50-footers, Volvo 60’s and Volvo 70s. He started his career running his own sailing and windsurfing school. In 1990 he initiated the first Austrian Whitbread Challenge project and run that for 8 years as technical director. He competed as skipper in the Hongkong Challenge Round the World Race (first participation of an Austrian team at a round-the-world race). From 2006 Johannes owned and skippered several Volvo 60’s and 70’s.
Results
The aim is to deliver a great experience to everybody onboard, first-time sailors or more experienced sailors and not to win in spite of everything. Johannes is happy to let you do anything on board and he is there to assist you. You will be an active team member and not just a passenger. Green Dragon is, despite this, a very serious candidate for winning races as she is a Volvo 70 in top condition.
Best suited to agile, people with moderate fitness and ideally a maximum weight of 100kg. Full training is provided.
We strongly recommend to complete a 2-day Sea Safety and Survival Training Course or equivalent.
Offshore race experience
The Person in Charge and at least 50% of the crew shall have previously taken part in an offshore race of extended duration.
Sea survival
At least 30% of the crew including the Person in Charge shall have a valid certificate for training in survival at sea as required by OSR 6.01. Courses covering all topics included in an approved World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Training Course given by suitably and experienced instructors may be considered as satisfying this requirement. STCW is NOT an approved equivalent for the World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Training Course.
First aid
As required by OSR 6.05 at least one crewmember shall be familiar with first aid procedures, hypothermia, drowning, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and relevant communications systems, and in addition, one other crewmember shall have a valid first aid certificate completed within the last five years.
The 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
12-15 Oct 2026
Rolex Middle Sea Race Registration
Onsite Registrations (by appointment) will be available from Monday, October 12th, to Thursday, October 15th, from 0900hrs to 1300hrs and 1400hrs to 1700hrs.
13 Oct 2026
Boat familiarisation & training depending on the weather
14 Oct 2026
Boat familiarisation & training depending on the weather
15 Oct 2026
Boat familiarisation & training depending on the weather
The famed Crew Party on Friday at 20hrs is a massively popular event, where crews will let their hair down just before the race!
16 Oct 2026
Rolex Middle Sea Race Briefing
Lay day & preparation (no sailing)
The Skippers’ Race and Weather Briefing will take place on Friday afternoon at 1800hrs, prior to the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
17 Oct 2026
Rolex Middle Sea Race Start
The race starts on Saturday in Malta’s spectacular Grand Harbour at 11.00 hrs. A series of starts that may be watched from any of Valletta’s fortifications creates a sight worth waiting for.
20/21 Oct 2026
Estimated finish
24 Oct 2026
Rolex Middle Sea Race Prize Giving
The Prize Giving ceremony will be the celebration of all those taking a trophy home. Trophies will be presented to the winners of the various categories.
What's Included :
Safety equipment (Life jackets with AIS transmitters & Tether)
Food & Drink whilst On-Board
Marina Berth and Racing Fees
Fuel
Pre-Departure safety briefing and 3 days of training & boat familiarisation.
What's Not Included :
Travel Insurance
Visas, ESTA, residence permits, medical certificates, etc.
Accommodation ashore
Meals ashore at restaurants
Flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports
Toiletries
Clothing and wet weather gear.
It’s always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.
There is an absolute ban on alcohol on board.
Please use a sea bag or a foldable bag. Suitcases are too bulky on board and difficult to stow away.
What you need to bring
Documents
Identity card or passport
(European) Health insurance card
Travel health insurance (if needed)
Plane ticket
Clothes
Clothes for on land
What you need to bring onboard
Clothes &Toiletries
Wet weather gear
Boat shoes (closed and anti-slip – please make sure that the sole does not rub off)
Sailing pants
Fleece jacket or pullover
Sunglasses
Sailing gloves
Tootbrush & small toothpaste
Safety equipment
Headlamp (waterproof and red light function, spare batteries)
What you might bring
Your own Sunscreen (no suntan oil!)
Toiletries
Household remedies against seasickness (drops, chewing gum, …)
Sleeping bag (if you want to bring your own)
Earplugs/sleeping mask (optional – it is quite loud under deck)
Towel
Small pillow
Laundry bag
(Thermal )Underwear
Sailing boots
Hat or cap
Malta • October 2026 • 606 Nautical Miles
Begin your offshore racing journey with this spectacular 606 nm circumnavigation of Sicily, starting and finishing in Malta's historic Grand Harbour. Navigate past two active volcanoes—Mount Etna and Stromboli—while racing through waters steeped in Mediterranean history and stunning coastal scenery. Experience diverse tactical challenges as light winds along Sicily's northern coast test your patience, while variable conditions demand constant strategic adjustments. Join an international fleet of 100+ boats and prove your Volvo 70's competitive edge in one of the world's most beautiful offshore races.
Antigua • 600 Nautical Miles
Race 600 nm through paradise, departing Antigua to circumnavigate 11 stunning Caribbean islands in warm trade winds and crystal-clear waters. Navigate technical courses around island wind shadows and through squalls that can shift from flat calm to 30 knots, testing your boat handling and tactical skills. Finish to an unforgettable welcome at Antigua Yacht Club, where volunteers greet every crew with cold beers and warm hospitality, day or night.
Newport, Rhode Island • 636 Nautical Miles
Step into sailing history with the world's oldest regularly scheduled ocean race, founded in 1906, racing 636 nm from Newport to Bermuda. Master the strategic challenge of navigating the powerful Gulf Stream, where complex currents provide 4-5 knot boosts and tactical decisions can make or break your race. Experience almost the entire race out of sight of land, testing your navigation, strategy, and crew endurance across 2-6 days of competition. Finish off St. David's Lighthouse and sail into Hamilton for spectacular celebrations at the legendary Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.
Sydney, Australia • 628 Nautical Miles
Conclude your journey with the ultimate offshore test—the "Great Race South"—launching on Boxing Day from Sydney Harbour before hundreds of thousands of spectators. Race 628 demanding nm down the New South Wales coast, across the infamous Bass Strait where conditions can shift from violent Southern Ocean weather to tactical calms. Navigate through some of ocean racing's most challenging waters, where sudden weather changes and punishing waves test every aspect of seamanship and crew endurance. Join a legendary tradition dating back to 1945 and finish up the Derwent River in Hobart, having conquered one of sailing's most prestigious and demanding races.
All applications, payments, and charter agreements are handled solely between each individual crew member and the yacht operator via Sail Race Crew.
Book and pay
Click the Book Now button above to secure your place. Choose from Pay in Full or deposit options. Direct debit from your bank account, debit card or credit card options are available. Pay in the currency of your choice.
Personalise your payment plan
If you want to set up a payment plan, contact us here and let us know your desired deposit (minimum 10% required) and your preferred payment. You can make up to 18 payments, for the balance. You can choose the frequency and customise each payment amount.
Not ready to pay, but want to secure your place?
Reserve your place onboard today, with no obligation. We’ll send the confirmation details, itinerary, deposit invoice and be sure to answer all your questions, while you finalise your plans before confirming. Reserve here.
When you cancel
If you book and then cancel prior to an event, for any reason, terms and conditions apply. For a full refund of a sailing trip, flights and hotel costs, we recommend travel insurance. View Terms & Conditions.
Important
Please wait to book your flights and accommodation after you receive confirmation that we meet the minimum crew.
Traveling to Malta via Malta International Airport
Website Rolex Middle Sea Race
Royal Malta Yacht Club (registration)
Grand Hotel Excelsior (Briefing)
Grand Harbour (start of the race)
Mediterranean Conference Centre ( prize giving)
