Middle Sea Race: Fast finishers challenge the Lampedusa lockdown

With just 15 yachts across the finish line, the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race is still wide open. Out of 96 starters, around 85 yachts remain at sea, battling for the coveted main trophy awarded under IRC time correction.

Currently, Balthasar, the Mills 72 helmed by Louis Balcaen, leads the standings after finishing early Tuesday morning. The Belgian-flagged entry, however, faces mounting pressure from fast finishers determined to snatch victory before the clock runs out.

Balthasar Holds the Lead—For Now

Just hours after crossing the line at Marsamxett Harbour, Balthasar faced its first real threat from the French Daguet 5 (Carkeek 54), skippered by Frédéric Puzin. The sleek green yacht had impressed from the outset, leaving its IRC 2 rivals behind near Capo Porco di Murro and maintaining strong pace through the Messina Strait and past Stromboli.

Daguet 5 briefly stumbled in light winds near Favignana, but managed to recover. “It could have been much trickier for us,” admitted Puzin. The French team then unleashed their speed towards Lampedusa, averaging an impressive 18 knots. They arrived within striking distance of Balthasar, but as so often happens, the unpredictable north coast of Malta proved unforgiving. Daguet crossed the line just 20 minutes behind on corrected time.

Django Deer’s Spirited Fightback

Close behind, Django Deer, the Italian Botin 52 formerly known as Caro and winner of the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race, launched a determined comeback. Led by Lombardi Stronati and tactician Vasco Vascotto, the crew battled back from an early setback.

“We had a huge storm at the start — what usually rains in a month came in one night,” recalled Vascotto. “We were leading early on, but after the storm, we were at the back. From then, we pushed hard at every turn.”

Their persistence paid off. Sailing in the wake of Daguet 5, Django Deer surged south, cutting through the Comino Channel as a potential challenger for Balthasar’s lead. Ultimately, they fell just five minutes short on corrected time — a narrow miss but a proud performance. “We were very close, but we’re proud of how we raced,” said Vascotto.

Fleet Battles Lampedusa’s Dead Calm

While the frontrunners fought near Malta, the rest of the fleet struggled farther west. A massive calm near Lampedusa trapped many yachts, effectively turning the race into a slow-motion restart.

A few boats — including Chenapan 4 (France) and Artie III, the leading Maltese entry — managed to escape the still air and are now heading home with fresh breeze in their sails. For the rest, the wind gods hold the key to their hopes of unseating Balthasar.

Allegra Dominates the Multihull Class

In the Multihull Class, Switzerland’s Allegra claimed Line Honours on Tuesday at 17:23 CEST and is on track to take the MOCRA Trophy as well.

Owner Adrian Keller described the experience:

“This race was unfinished business for us, so finally crossing the line feels incredibly rewarding. We had everything — rain, calms, and then a thrilling finish. Sailing into Valletta after 600 miles is always special.”

Racing Skipper Paul Larsen echoed the sentiment:

“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a love-hate affair — beautiful one moment, maddening the next. But that’s what makes it unique. We’ve raced every major 600-mile event in the world, but this was the one we hadn’t finished. To do so now means a lot.”

The Final Stretch

As the night unfolds, more finishers are expected to stream into Valletta, bringing with them tales of endurance, skill, and sheer determination. The Royal Malta Yacht Club is preparing for a busy evening — and possibly the crowning of the overall winner of the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race.