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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 OCTOBER 2019 20 SAILING SPORTS THE Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the world's most com- pelling and challenging off- shore races. Supported by title sponsor Rolex since 2002, this year's exploits by some of the event's most emblematic char- acters will ensure the 40th edi- tion will retain a distinct place in the annals of the race. Maltese yacht Elusive 2, skip- pered by the Podesta family, and the American Maxi Ram- bler, owned by the record- breaking George David, took the main plaudits in a race that required steadfast persistence and patience in conditions that veered from the mentally sap- ping benign to the physically punishing malign. Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC), the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a captivating platform which demonstrates the appeal and demands of off- shore sailing, a discipline with which Rolex has been proud to be associated throughout the past five decades. An elusive triumph The Podesta family have been part of the fabric of the race since its beginnings in 1968. Arthur Podesta was one of sev- en sailors on Josian, winner of the very first edition. As a crew, Podesta would again experience success in 1970 with Tikka and in 1983 with Saudade, before becom- ing Commodore of the RMYC in the 1990s. When he passed away in 2015, Podesta had competed in all 35 races held to that point. Embarking on race cam- paigns as skipper of his own yacht from 2002, he made the point of including his then teenage children – Maya, Aaron and Christoph – in the crew. All three have inherited their father's passion and maintain the tradition of a Podesta al- ways being on the start line of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. The trio have honed their skills and experiences year on year, frequently winning their class, often claiming top ten finishes, but never quite reaching the top … until this year. "Preparations for next year always start immediately after the present race has finished," admits Christoph who, despite the crew's detailed and rigor- ous preparation, was pessimis- tic ahead of this year's race. "The first half was going to be downwind and light which doesn't suit us. Our goal was to keep ourselves in the right po- sition until we rounded Favig- nana." This they did with aplomb. Once the wind strength inten- sified at the northwest corner of Sicily, Elusive 2 made the most of the upwind sailing to the finish, prevailing in the face of a seriously testing and un- comfortable sea state. Confirmation that the Po- destas and their crew fully de- served their success is evident throughout, but perhaps the need to beat defending cham- pion Courrier Recommandé, which finished second over- all, is the clearest affirmation. "The name Elusive has been associated with the race for 18 years and it is an unbelievable achievement to win against the best," remarked Aaron Po- desta. The 606-nautical mile race is the focus of the all-Corinthian, predominantly Maltese crew's annual yacht racing calendar. The victory was born of intri- cate knowledge of a complex racecourse, built over many years. It also reflects the legacy of their father, who introduced them to the sport and passed on his enthusiasm. "Deep down it means a lot more than we may ever realise," said Maya. "What we have done is thanks to him." Five in a row for Rambler Line honours victor in all six of his Rolex Middle Sea Races – including in every one since 2015 – George David's Ram- bler, at 27m (88-ft), was the largest yacht in the fleet and the emphatic favourite to fin- ish first. The more tantalising ambition was to beat the race record David had set in 2007 with one of his previous boats. Rambler had undergone sig- nificant optimisation over the past winter to improve perfor- mance in light wind conditions. The attention to detail was vin- dicated, when her exceptional crew secured line honours wins at this year's Rolex Giraglia and Rolex Fastnet Race. The credentials for a record run were in place, if only the weather gods would be gra- cious. They were not. The first half of the race, north towards the notorious Strait of Messina, on to the volcanic island of Strom- boli and, then, to Favignana on the north-west corner of Sicily, was painfully slow. The Rambler crew performed ad- mirably, avoiding wind holes and always moving. Despite a herculean effort and unrelent- ing persistence, they were un- able to better the race record of 47 hours, 55 minutes and three seconds which stands for another year. "This is a great race," said David. "It is chal- lenging to keep it all together and we take huge satisfaction in taking line honours for the fifth consecutive time". The final prizegiving was at- tended by Dr. George Vella, the President of Malta, together with the current and former Italian ambassadors and other dignitaries. In his speech, Dr. Vella expressed his great pleas- ure at being present, he took special care to congratulate the Royal Malta Yacht Club for their untiring work and unwa- vering commitment to make the event possible. Dr. Vella also acknowledged that the at- tendance of yachts from 23 na- tions at the renowned race was a clear signal of its high stand- ing internationally. Commodore Godwin Zam- mit was quick to thank the RMYC team behind the race, all public bodies and authori- ties that had lent their support, the event sponsors and, most importantly, all the crews for their participation. While eve- ry race has its distinct charac- ter and many stories, accord- ing to Commodore Zammitt, "2019 is for Elusive and for Arthur". Once the Podesta siblings and the Elusive 2 crew had been awarded the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy in acknowl- edgement of their remark- able achievement, Christoph made an emotive and eloquent speech, ending with the follow- ing thought: "We used to think it was all about the race, but now we know that our father's purpose was to bring the fami- ly together to share adventures and experiences. It continues to be a special experience" The unfailing pursuit of ex- cellence and the perpetual passion for sailing exhibited, in this great race in particular, makes Elusive 2 a truly worthy winner of the 2019 Rolex Mid- dle Sea Race. The 41st edition of the race will start on Satur- day, 17 October 2020. Rolex Middle Sea Race Legends to the fore The Elusive 2 crew (Photo: Rolex/Kurt Arrigo)