2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race characterized by shared experiences
by Rolex Middle Sea Race Media 25 Oct 11:59 PDT
25 October 2024
As the 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race approaches its conclusion, only two yachts remain on the course. Both are anticipated to finish before the final prize-giving, set for noon on Saturday at the historic, former Sacra Infermeria in Valletta.
Throughout the night and into the day, yachts have continued to cross the finish line, bringing the total number of finishers to 75, down from an initial count of 112.
Classes 5 and 6, which consist of the smallest and slowest yachts along with the double-handed class, were the last to fill their podiums based on IRC time correction. In IRC 5, the Farr 30 Calypso set an unbeatable time on Thursday. Joining the Maltese crew on the podium were Bedouin from Australia and another local team, Stefan Debattista’s Geisha. The winners in IRC 6 were Simon Toms and Zephyr, the British Sun Fast 3300, which finished shortly after midnight today. The second and third places were taken by the Maltese Swan 47 Lazy Duck, sailed double-handed by John and Tommy Ripard, and El Oro, an Australian Whitbread cruiser constructed in 1974.
Sebastian Ripard and Daniel Calascione served as co-skippers of Calypso. Their participation in this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race effectively embodied the pioneering spirit of Ripard’s grandfather, John, one of the sailors who founded the race in 1968. Having first competed in 2002 on the J/109 Market Wizard with his father, John Jr., Ripard’s connection to the race is mutual. Just as the race has evolved over the past twenty years, so have his sailing abilities. The same goes for Calascione, whose inaugural race was in 2003 with his dad.
“We had a fantastic race,” Ripard said. “There was some apprehension regarding what to expect from such a small, 30-foot boat, but it turned out really well, and we can’t believe we made it work. We understood we were sailing almost a dinghy, and we were concerned about how we would manage it, particularly with the squall on the first day. We were surprised by how well that went and gained increasing confidence in the boat from a seamanship perspective.”
It’s hard to envision just how exposed the crew was without stepping aboard. The deck space is limited, the freeboard low, the companionway restrictive, and interior space cramped. Amenities, as they existed, included pipe cots, a boiling stove for warm freeze-dried meals, and a small, uninviting head (toilet). Personal gear was constrained by its volume rather than weight. “Not even half the crew can fit below deck on this boat at the same time. There’s roughly a square meter of space to accomplish everything necessary,” Ripard explained. “You’re touching both sides of the hull while changing into your oilies. Your head’s on one side, your feet on the other.”
Once racing, the reality of the experience was even more challenging. “On deck it was alright,” Ripard said. “Down below, it felt like absolute chaos, particularly the first night. That’s when we were thinking, how are we going to endure four days of this? How are we going to cook in this space? How are we going to keep things relatively dry and survive?” “Nothing remained dry,” he continued. “We simply adapted to that. It’s astonishing what the human body can acclimate to. What seems impossible, with enough exposure, becomes manageable, and you learn how to cope.”
However, it wasn’t all negative. “The downwind sections were incredible,” Ripard enthused. “Even the first night, when we were hit by a squall that escalated from 20 to 40 or 50 knots. We had the code zero up. Thankfully, we managed to stow that away without damaging the mast or the boat, then we were just running with the storm doing 20 to 25 knots with only the mainsail up. Because she’s quite light and fast, she alleviates pressure in those conditions, so nothing feels too strained. You’re on the edge, yet feel comfortable at the same time.”
Perhaps the most daunting moment of the race was nearing San Vito lo Capo. “When we saw the forecast, which indicated 300 miles directly against us, we really questioned our purpose,” acknowledged Ripard. Fortunately, there were bright spots, and for a moment, it appeared it could be Calypso’s day in the overall IRC standings. The crew’s morale was crucial. “This was really uplifting for morale and exciting,” Ripard noted. “It motivated everyone to endure the hardships when everything felt wet below deck and was sloshing around. It helped us tolerate the discomfort.”
In summary, the sense of accomplishment was significant. “It is the first time I’m handling my own boat,” Ripard remarked. “The first time we’ve done so much work to ensure the boat was sea-ready. I felt a lot of pressure regarding whether everything would hold up. From that perspective, it feels incredibly satisfying.”
For Calascione, the experience was transformative. “Overall, there was genuine fulfillment in preparing for and completing the race with a boat like this,” he said. “Seb and I engage in numerous activities together, and one of the ways we maintain our connection is through sailing. Seb was the one who entirely convinced me to buy the boat, but he’s persuasive and I often say yes to things I might not want to do at the time, knowing they’ll ultimately pay off.” Once committed to the project, Calascione fully supported it, although residing off Malta meant he wasn’t as involved in preparations as he would have preferred. “I believe the ultimate goal was to find a competitive boat, but also one that would present a real adventure,” he continued. “We aimed for a shared experience between us and our friends that would become lifelong memories. Not just the usual fare, but something with a bit more excitement. And this boat provided both.”
Sam Matson, navigator for IRC 6 winner Zephyr, also cherished a shared experience, sailing with an enthusiastic and skilled crew on a small vessel. He was very pleased to have completed the course. Speaking at the dock immediately after finishing, he shared: “The result isn’t final yet, but we’re hopeful we’ve secured first in class. We worked really hard for it and felt like we had to earn that win ten times over due to the number of restarts. Each time we restarted, we placed ourselves in a good position and managed to get ahead. We’re quite satisfied with our performance and keeping ourselves in the lead when it mattered.”
Matson’s focus early in the race was formulating the right strategy for the Strait of Messina, which proved beneficial. “For me, the leg to Messina was pivotal,” he detailed. “It was rewarding on the first night to have a clear strategy navigating that first thunder cell. We emerged fighting and reached our desired location. We weren’t just surviving; we were actively heading towards where we needed to be. Ending up in the right spot allowed us to tackle the rest of the leg when conditions improved.”
After passing Stromboli, the challenge shifted to maintaining speed in the tricky, light conditions at the top of Sicily. Then around Favignana, Zephyr faced the challenging upwind battle to the southernmost point on the course and onwards to the finish. “It always feels like quite a marathon from Lampedusa, especially in those conditions,” Matson explained. “There’s not much happening for 90% of that leg, until you finally approach the South Comino Channel. After that, all you concentrate on is reaching the finish without losing ground to those behind you. You just have to keep pushing right until the end.”
Regarding secrets to success, Matson emphasized the importance of pre-race preparations, consistent with many other crews. “Preparation is crucial,” he stated. “For me, a lot of preparation is mental. You really do not want to show up the day before and start tearing things apart to fix issues. We went out for a short sail on Thursday and felt content. We didn’t want to touch anything after that point. The sooner you can mentally prepare yourself that the boat is ready, the more you can concentrate on getting yourself prepared and knowing your plan for action. If you have a clear strategy for the first 24 hours, you’ll feel well-equipped.”
Regarding crew dynamics, Matson believes that extensive pre-race training, while beneficial, isn’t always essential—as long as everyone on board has offshore experience, which was the case with Zephyr’s four crew members. “As long as you’re upfront about how you’ll work together from the start, discuss roles and how to coexist aboard, everyone will naturally find their place,” he explained. “Once you’re out there, you’ll become comfortable and understand how to navigate and collaborate effectively.”
Ongoing communication is vital, particularly as everyone becomes weary towards the finish. “The last thing you want is for things to go quiet,” he advised. “If it goes quiet, fatigue increases and people will withdraw into themselves. They’ll lose sight of their objectives. To energize the team, continuous communication is key. Keep the game plan front of mind. Don’t fixate on the dock and the reception afterward; maintain focus on the next mark and stick with your strategy.”
At 19:00 CEST, the last two boats remaining at sea are Stefan Hümmeke’s Pogo36 Infinity from Germany and Austria’s Dufour 460 Almar, skippered by Thomas Murlasits and Daniel Ziehmayer, both expected to complete the course by 10 p.m. this evening.
The concluding prize-giving ceremony on Saturday, 26 October, will mark the end of the 2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race. While the remaining crews begin their journeys home on Sunday, the Royal Malta Yacht Club will start to think ahead to next year’s 46th edition. The club values shared experiences as much as the crews and understands that preparation is vital for a successful race.
For additional information, visit www.rolexmiddlesearace.com
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