46th Rolex Middle Sea Race Overall- A triumph of teamwork and tenacity
by Quinag 25 Oct 18:22 BST
25 October 2025
46th Rolex Middle Sea Race © Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
Persistence and teamwork were embodied by the entire fleet at the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race. Of the 117 starters, an incredible 110 finished the race - testament to tenacity and human endurance in confronting the complex geography and weather of the racecourse.
This epic contest and its organizers, the Royal Malta Yacht Club, have been partnered by Rolex since 2002. The Swiss watchmakers' longstanding support for sailing counts three legendary 600-nautcial mile races: the Rolex Fastnet Race, which celebrated its centenary in July; and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race marking its 80th anniversary in December are the other two.
Overall Victory: Balthasar
Making the start line for this year's race and proving so competitive was not a given for the Maxi 72 Balthasar, skippered by former round-the-world sailor Louis Balcaen. She was forced to retire following an incident at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup only six weeks earlier. Bouncing back from that setback to then win the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race demanded significant additional preparation going into her final event of the season.
For the core of the crew success at this gruelling 606-nautical mile competition, would prove to be the apex of their journey together to date. Claiming one of offshore racing's most coveted prizes was a proud moment for Louis Balcaen:
"Winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the highlights of my sailing career. It is the kind of result you dream about but you also know how hard it is to align the boat, the crew, the weather, all of the decisions. Everything needs to be perfect. I want to dedicate this victory to the team. We have been sailing together for ten years through the ups and the downs and this makes it extra special. We left nothing on the table, we stayed calm and collected during the tough moments and above all we enjoyed every mile of it."
Tactically, the crew were rewarded for brave and calculated decisions. Two of their biggest calls were vindicated. First, heading north of the rhumb line shortly after the start allowed a decisive jump on opponents who stayed south and effectively trapped in little breeze. Later, after rounding the island of Favignana on the northwest corner of Sicily, a call to head east and hug the Tunisian coastline paid dividends.
"Our consistency was the key," explained Balthasar's expert tactician Bouwe Bekking."The crew have been together for a long time and many of the team have done round-the-world races, so we know each other's rhythms. We make our calls early, adapt fast, and trust each other completely."
Line Honours: Black Jack 100
In the race to finish first, the Black Jack 100 crew were fixed on bettering last year's second place on water. Twelve months ago, she lost out to rival 100-ft maxi Scallywag 100 by just 18 minutes. It was a result she had avenged earlier this year when claiming line honours ahead of her rival at July's Rolex Fastnet Race. However, there was unfinished business at the Rolex Middle Sea Race amplified by the need to manage the pre-race pressure as favourite for monohull line honours.
A complex racecourse like the Rolex Middle Sea Race, comprising an anticlockwise circumnavigation of Sicily and numerous changes in the course to be sailed, demands full focus. Jeopardy literally lies around each corner. In fulfilling her mission and having led for most of the race, Black Jack 100 executed a flawless race plan to finish back in Malta in an elapsed time of 65 hours and 44 minutes.
Skipper Tristan Le Brun was delighted to deliver on expectations.
"This result has a deep feeling of accomplishment. It is a challenge to run these boats. Our team trained very well, we were very meticulous in our approach and every result we have had this season is a reflection of this preparation."
Remon Vos, Black Jack 100 owner, was equally delighted to end the season on a high: "Winning line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race is very special. It is a very inspiring race and gives you a certain energy and perspective."
The predominantly light conditions which prevailed this year meant that the course record set by Comanche in 40 hours, 17 minutes and 50 seconds in 2021 will stand for another year.
From the first timer to the veteran
Given its enormous international reputation, the Rolex Middle Sea Race always entices first timers, both Corinthian and professional. Decorated Chinese sailor Lijia Xu, two-time Olympic medallist and former Rolex World Sailor of the Year, was one such example this year. Sailing on Kranendonk, she enjoyed being an integral part of the first all-Chinese crew to compete:
"I thoroughly enjoyed my first Rolex Middle Sea Race and am very proud to have finished the race. China has been successful in Olympic sailing and now we want to be more active in other sailing events such as this race, the Rolex Fastnet and the Rolex Sydney Hobart. We hope our journey inspires more Chinese and Asian sailors to join in the future."
On the other end of the Rolex Middle Sea Race experience scale is Maltese sailor Christian Ripard, sailing on Artie III, who equalled the record for the most races sailed. Ripard has witnessed the evolution of the race and of offshore sailing over the course of 35 editions. When he first competed in the mid-1970s, it would typically take six to seven days for a mid-size yacht. Now thanks largely to advancements in technology and boat design, it can average three to four days, which increases the intensity of the experience. However, the fundamental nature and appeal of the challenge is eternal as Ripard explains:
"It remains a very tactical race and you need some good fortune in putting yourself in the right position on the race course. Like a bungee effect, you can run away from your opponents and then you round a corner and everybody comes back again. That is the challenge of this race. It is a 'round the cans' race for 600 miles and you need to be switched on at all times."
Ripard, whose father Paul was closely involved in the establishment of the race in 1968, hopes to be back next year and his appetite for the race remains as fervent as when he first sailed it at the age of 15:
"I am 64 now and I still love it and I love offshore sailing, the competitiveness, the excitement, the danger, it is my passion. I was born into a family of sailors and this is what we like to do."
From the recipients of the race's main prizes through to those who finished after nearly seven days at sea, the 2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race provided another compelling demonstration of teamwork, tenacity, inclusivity and achievement by over 1,000 competing sailors hailing from more than 50 countries. A theme touched on by Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Mark Napier at the final prize-giving:
"In sailing, as in life, it is not just about winning, it is about the journey, the challenges overcome, the lessons learnt and friendships forged along the way."
The Rolex Middle Sea Race returns for its 47th edition on Saturday 17 October 2026.