The 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race has passed the 24-hour mark, and while the conditions have been testing, competitors have been spared a repeat of last year’s brutal opening night. A low-pressure system swept across the course overnight, tracking further south and proving less severe than forecast, though crews endured heavy downpours throughout. With a prevailing northeasterly wind, the fleet faced a demanding beat toward Messina — frequent tacks, sail changes, and wet decks setting the tempo for a challenging race.
The fleet now stretches from Acireale, southeast of Mount Etna, to north of Cefalù on Sicily’s northern coast. Black Jack 100 holds a commanding 30-nautical-mile lead over Balthasar, with the first multihull, Allegra, trailing by a further 30nm. Only four yachts have so far passed Stromboli, and at this stage, Balthasar leads the IRC overall standings, with Black Jack just under an hour behind and Daguet 5 two hours adrift.
A Clean Start and Early Breakaways
After a smooth start from Grand Harbour, the 117 competing yachts made their way north in stable easterlies. The approach to Capo Passero was straightforward, with most boats hugging the Sicilian coast. Kranendonk, the Chinese VO65, was the only yacht to strike offshore. Rejoining the fleet near Augusta, it pressed ahead again, handling the Messina Strait cleanly and entering the Tyrrhenian Sea at 1000 CEST — just behind Italy’s Django Deer. It was an impressive performance from a crew of mostly first-time participants.
Meanwhile, Black Jack trailed Allegra as the two traded tacks between Avola and Capo Murro di Porco. The maxi monohull eventually surged ahead in the dark, holding a steady 11–12 knots northward. Hugging the mainland shore, it cleared Messina at 0336 CEST and passed Stromboli just before 0700. With around 70nm remaining before the turn south, skipper Tristan Le Brun reported:
“We are just passing Stromboli. It’s been a very good race and everything is going well. We’re enjoying leading the fleet and catching up on corrected time too. We’ll keep pushing hard.”
Standout Performances Emerging
Balthasar has impressed in IRC 1, keeping the gap to Black Jack under control and holding an hour’s lead on corrected time at Stromboli. Daguet 5 was the third monohull to clear Messina, performing well against larger rivals. Maltese entry Elusive 2 also made excellent early gains, leading under IRC at Capo Passero and Messina, though a slowdown toward Stromboli could challenge their advantage.
In IRC 3, Salpare from New Zealand has performed strongly, leading its class through the Messina Strait just before midday and trailing Aboat Time by only 38 seconds on corrected time.
A Long, Wet Night at Sea
Campbell Field aboard Salpare described the conditions:
“It’s been a long, wet night and dawn couldn’t come soon enough. The wind’s been light and shifty — two knots one moment, six the next. It’s all about patience and keeping the boat moving. Life on board is good, though. The crew’s in rhythm — trimming, catnaps, coffee. Offshore racing is about managing the next moment, not the finish line.”
A Tactical Night Ahead
Forecasts for northern Sicily signal a tricky night with light, unstable winds and plenty of uncertainty. Yachts in the breeze could lose their advantage, while those behind may close the gap. Conversely, a timely shift could see leaders extend their margin.
As often in offshore racing, the night may decide the race. Staying alert and responding precisely to every change in wind direction or strength could be the key to claiming victory in the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race.
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