Cannes-Malta Race 2026 - Preview

by Jean François Cutugno 6 Oct 06:34 BST 5 October 2026

The second edition of the Cannes-Malta Race and its 606-mile (1122 km) format is a continuation of the major international crewed offshore racing events such as the Rolex Fastnet Race, Sydney-Hobart, or the Rolex Middle Sea Race starting in Valletta (Malta).

Born from the will of the two clubs - the Cannes Yacht Club and the Royal Malta Yacht Club - now twinned, and supported by the Maltese government, this year it welcomes the IRC and Class40, as confirmed by Jérôme Nutte of the Cannes Yacht Club, and who leaves his Principal Race Officer hat to Georges Kohrel as race director, being busy in particular with his professional obligations and the preparation of the Tempest World Championship starting a few days later in the harbour of Cannes.

It's a course that is both technical and tactical, passing through the Strait of Bonifacio, the east of Sardinia, and a gateway to the west of Sicily. It's a little over 600 miles. The competitors will have to manage the transition zones and probably stormy squalls to the south of Corsica.

Claude Zammit Trevisan, VisitMalta's France director, is delighted: "We are particularly pleased that the Cannes-Malta Race is back for a second edition. Beyond the sporting competition, this race creates a real maritime link between Cannes and Malta, two destinations deeply linked to the Mediterranean and the culture of the sea. VisitMalta is proud to be one of the main partners of this race, and to have contributed to bringing the Yacht Club de Cannes and the Royal Malta Yacht Club closer together around this project.

"Our role is also that of a facilitator: to create bridges, encourage exchanges and create lasting collaborations between the players of our two territories. This race is a very good illustration of this."

Jean-François Cutugno, President of the Yacht Club de Cannes, confirms, adding: "The club's reputation in terms of organising inshore regattas - Royal Regattas, International Finn Championships, 470, Dragon, Tempest, RS 21, etc. - is well established. Our ambition is also now, in addition to the continuity of our Optimist and ILCA competition school, to also focus on offshore.

"In fact, today we welcome a new member to the YCC: the former great champion of alpine skiing - four Olympic medals, five Crystal Globes, numerous victories and podiums in the World Cup (26 victories 60 podiums; editor's note) and a world champion title in slalom, the Croatian Ivica Kostelic, who has become a racer, wishes to prepare here in Cannes for the next Vendée Globe 2028."

To follow the race: www.yachtclubdecannes.org or rmyc.org