The Spirit of Yachting – Rolex Middle Sea Race 2020

The Rolex Middle Sea Race presents a rare challenge in offshore yacht racing. The 606-nautical mile anticlockwise circumnavigation of Sicily starts and finishes in the same place: the Grand Harbour in Malta's capital Valletta. A navigator’s race with numerous puzzles posed by the corners of its spectacular course – which takes in sights such as the active volcanoes of Etna and Stromboli – it demands intense preparation. Maltese yacht Elusive 2, led by siblings Maya, Aaron and Christoph Podesta, negotiated testing light weather to claim an overall victory in the 41st edition and achieve the race's first back-to-back success in 40 years. Rolex has supported this bluewater classic since 2002 as part of its alliance with yachting dating back more than 60 years. Discover more https://on.rolex.com/3nNY1yb Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport. #RolexMiddleSeaRace #Yachting