“LIFE AT SEA IS BETTER”
Sir Francis Drake
Old hands and fresh faces
The Mediterranean is again set to host one of the world's most exciting and challenging offshore yacht races: the 2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race. With its iconic 606-nautical-mile course that takes sailors around Sicily, through the Strait of Messina, past the volcanic Aeolian and Egadi Islands, Pantelleria, and Lampedusa, and then back to Malta, this race continues to be the pinnacle of offshore racing.
BEHIND THE SAILS
Adrian Gauci Borda is a former Olympic-class sailor and current Rear Commodore (Sailing) at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. With three years on the committee, he shares his insights and aspirations for the club's future.
Navigating Life: An In-Depth Conversation with Chris Dougall, the Sailor Who Made Waves
In a captivating interview with Chris Dougall, Peter Valentino delves into this renowned sailor's remarkable life and sailing career. From his early days at sea to his experiences at prestigious events like the America's Cup, Chris shares his journey and insights, offering readers a unique glimpse into his world.
Sailing to victory: A champion's perspective on the Solaris Cup 2023
In sailing, the Solaris Cup is a regatta that is a testament to skill, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Skipper had the privilege to sit down with Jamie Sammut, the Solaris 42 Unica skipper, fresh off their triumph at the Solaris Cup 2023. In this exclusive interview, we delve into their experience, their challenges, and the camaraderie that defines the sailing community.
The importance of proper certification for sailing officials
Peter Valentino discusses the newly appointed David Dalli of the Malta Sailing Federation's efforts to structure and implement courses for race officials and the need for appropriate certification. Given the complexity of sailing and the potential for mistakes to cause collisions and protests, he believes a training course for race officers and mark layers should be prioritised.
PETE’S ROUND-UP
I started to write this piece approximately a week before the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, wrote a bit during the race itself, and I completed the last bit in the week after that. I think I've now heard it all, weighed it all out, and voila—a bit from the past and more from the current. Peter Valentino continues.