Zephyrus IV puts Middle Sea Race course record in mind
by Royal Malta Yacht Club 17 Oct 2000 08:59 BST
'ZEPHYRUS IV' SMASHES THE CAPE TOWN TO RIO RACE RECORD AND PUTS MIDDLE SEA RACE COURSE RECORD IN MIND
Robert McNeil's 75 foot racing yacht captured line honours in the Cape to Rio Race, set a new race record and is now hoping to write his name down in the Royal Malta Yacht Club history books by coming to Malta to compete in this years Middle Sea Race.
Zephyrus IV managed to claim line honours, a new course record and an overall handicap fleet win for owner Robert McNeil, skipper John Bertrand, navigator Mark Rudiger and the rest of the 'Zephyrus IV' team in the 3435-nautical mile 2000 MTN Cape to Rio Race.
“Zephyrus IV” is a Maxi-Sled Rachel-Pugh design and is being shipped out to Malta from the West Coast of the United States just for the Middle Sea Race. She is hoping to set a new course record this year and should be arriving in Malta within the next two days.
Quite a few boats, including Italian hot favourites and course record holder “Riviera di Rimini” and “Magic Sailing Team”, both “Open 60’s” have now confirmed that they will not be able to get to Malta in time for the start of the Middle Sea Race due to severe weather in the Adriatic. Medex, a local entry were also stuck in Marsala, North of Sicily, with winds in excess of forty knots.
Originally, the Race Committee received enquiries from no less that nine Maltese boats wishing to participate in the Middle Sea Race, however, these have now dwindled to just five which include Allegra, skippered by Alfred Manduca, Victoria Moody, with Paul Chetcuti on the wheel, Medex-Powered by RedBull from the Ripard Consortium and Latina, a Beneteau 42s7 with Winston Azzopardi at the wheel. The smallest Maltese boat is again “First Ever” with Anton Valentino and his faithful crew.
The Middle Sea Race is organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Royal Ocean Racing Club. the Federazione Italiana Vela and the Malta Sailing Federation and starts on Saturday, 21st October 2000.
Programme of Events:
- 19th October 2000 - Crew Party
- 20th October 2000 - Skippers Briefing
- 21st October 2000 - Start
- 28th October 2000 - Prize-Giving