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Displaying items by tag: Indoor

#Rowing: Damian Browne set a remarkable time of 1:16.2 for 500 metres at the Provinces Indoor Rowing championships at the University of Limerick on Saturday. The big Galway man, who will row the Atlantic starting in December, finished second in the men’s open category. Colin Burke of Auriel Kensington won this with 1.4 seconds to spare over Browne.  

Provinces Indoor Rowing Championships, Limerick,Saturday 

Men, Open: 1 Colin Burke (Auriel-Kensington, London) 6:12.9, 2 Damian Browne 6:14.3, 3 Ciaran Brady (Offaly) 6:25.7. 500m: Browne 1:16.2 

Junior 18 2000: Mark Ryder (Col Iognaid) 6:29.8.Jun 18 500: James McCarthy (CIT) 1:22.3

M J16 2000: Darragh Gallivan (CRCC) 6:52.8. Men, 30-39: John Whooley (Skib) 6:23.2.

M 40-49: Fintan Gilsenan (Castletownbere RC) 6:26.8.

Women, Open: B Larsen (Garda) 7:06.0. Jun 18 : Caoileann Nic Dhonncha (Col Iognaid) 7:34.1 Jun 16: Roisin O’Connor (Castleconnell BC) 7:34.7.  

W 40-49: Fiona McKeown (Castleconnell BC) 7:23.0

Pararowing

MLTA: Kevin Wall (Clonmel) 6:51.9.

WLTA: Sarah McLoughlin (Univ of Limerick) 8:07.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: Paul O’Donovan set a new personal best – by just .1 of a second - and was the top lightweight at the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships today. The outstanding peformance of the day at the University of Limerick belonged, however, to heavyweight oarsman Sam McKeown. The Queen’s University oarsman was by far the fastest on the day, with a time of five minutes 55 seconds. This was the second occasion on which he had broken six minutes (he had covered the 2,000 metres in 5:59 in November) and he looked in control at the finish, shouting “Go Queen’s!”

 Sanita Puspure was the fastest woman, clocking six minutes 40 seconds  with a steady peformance. Her nearest rival was Monika Dukarska – 6:52.6 was a personal best for the Killorglin woman.

 Ross Corrigan from Enniksillen Royal College (formerly Portora) was the fastest junior man – of 125 – and Hannah Scott of Bann took the honours amongst junior women.

 In the under-23 men’s competition, another win for Daire Lynch confirmed his strong transition from junior ranks; UCD man Shane O’Connell, whose star has also been on the rise, won the under-23 lightweight grade in a good battle with Jake McCarthy and Fintan McCarthy.

 Emily Hegarty of Skibbereen was the top woman at under-23 level. Her nearest rival was Eimear Lambe, who pipped her elder sister, Claire, by half a second. The Ireland Olympian who is now at Cambridge University competed as a heavyweight as she prepares for the Boat Race. 

 Competitors had to leave the venue late in the programme after a fire alarm. They were able to return to finish events.

Irish Indoor Rowing Championships, University of Limerick, Saturday (Selected Results):

Men – Open: 1 S McKeown 5 min 55.0 sec, 2 E O’Connor 6:02.7, 3 T Oliver 6:03.9. Lightweight Open: 1 P O’Donovan 6:07.4, 2 G O’Donovan 6:14.2, 3 M O’Donovan 6:19.0, 4 S O’Driscoll 6:21.1. Under-23: D Lynch 6:10.0. Lightweight Under-23: S O’Connell 6:21.3. Junior 18: R Corrigan 6:21.3. Jun 16: M Gallagher 6:38.6.

Women – Open: 1 S Puspure 6:40.0, 2 M Dukarska 6:52.6, 3 B Larsen 7:02.5, 4 C Lambe 7:11.4. Lwt: D Walsh 7:13.1. Under-23: E Hegarty 6:57.5; Lwt U-23: E McGiff 7:38.6. Jun 18: H Scott 7:05.7. Jun 16: Z McCutcheon 7:18.2.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: The entry for the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships has both quantity and quality, with Irish rowers who are set to compete at the Olympic Games in the mix. Gary O’Donovan will compete in lightweight class and Paul O’Donovan in the under-23 lightweight class.

Claire Lambe, who partnered Sinéad Jennings in the Ireland lightweight women’s double crew which qualified the boat for Rio, is also entered. Jennings may do a Wattbike test.

Among the heavyweight men, Philip Doyle, Sam McKeown and Dave Neale will be among those competing to set the top mark, while Sanita Puspure, an Olympian in 2012, should be the fastest woman.

The Championships have a record entry and will be held in Limerick on January 23rd.

Published in Rowing

#Indoor Rowing: Claire Lambe excelled among a group of lightweight rowers who set personal best times in ergometer (rowing machine) tests at the National Rowing Centre in Cork. Gary O’Donovan, Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll all set new best times. Paul O’Donovan did his test in Dublin and also broke new ground. Heavyweight rower Aifric Keogh matched her best time of six minutes 55.5 seconds.

High Performance Ergometer Testing, National Rowing Centre, Cork

Men

Lightweight: 1 G O’Donovan 6:13.7, 2 M O’Donovan 6:16.8, 3 S O’Driscoll 6:18.5.

Women

Open: A Keogh 6:55.5, L Kennedy 6:56.7.

Lightweight: C Lambe 7:05.6, S Dolan 7:15.3.

Irish Provinces Indoor Rowing Championships, University of Limerick (Selected Results; 2000 metres unless stated)

Men

Open – 1 R O’Hagan 6:09.4, 2 F Crowley 6:24.9, 3 A Prendergast 6:25.5. 30-39: G Conway 6:19.7. Open 500: R O’Hagan 1:19.6.

Under-23: A Kinneen 6:20.2. Junior 18: R Byrne 6:16.9, 500: E Walls-Tuite 1:22.3.

Jun 16: J Keating 6:33.8, 500: J McCarthy 1:29.8.

Jun 15 (1,000): R MacCurtain 3:23.6.

Freshers (1,000); G Barlow 3:05.2.

40-49: N Carey 6:24.3, 500: Carey 1:23.9. 50-59: O Short 6:46.9, 500: Short 1:29.4. 60-69: P Victory 6:57.6, 500 (60+): P Victory 1:32.6.

Lightweight – Open: D O’Connor 6:33.5, 500: L Keane 1:28.9.

Lightweight Under-23: L Keane 6:25.0, 500: Keane 1:28.9. Lightweight 40-49: J Doyle 6:29.1.  

Women

Open – 1 M Dukarska 7:02.7, 2 A O’Sullivan 7:19.0, 3 M Piggott 7:34.7. 500: M Dukarska 1:33.6.

Under-23: S Bounane 7:18.7. Junior 18: M Cremin 7:23.3.

500: M Cremin 1:38.8.

 Jun 16: A O’Farrell 7:32.7, 500: L Turner 1:44.1.

Jun 15: (1,000): A Doyle 3:50.6, 500: J Crowley 1:41.1

Freshers (1,000): B Chase 3:43.2.

30-39: S Kennelly 7:24.9. 40-49: P O’Brien 7:51.8, 500: R Ware 1:43.3. 50-59: M Lawlor 8:11.2, 500: Lawlor 1:55.9.

Lightweight – Open: S McCrohan 7:14.7, 500: K Wilkie 1:44.4.

Lightweight Under-23: E McGiff 7:49.2. 

Lightweight 30-39:  C Conway 7:48.3.

LTA – S McLoughlin 3:51.1, 500: McLoughlin 1:51.0.

Ulster Indoor Rowing Championships, Queen’s University, Saturday (Selected Results, 2,000 metres unless stated). Includes BUCS: British University Championships.

Men

Open: S McKeown 6:04.7, 2 M Christie 6:25.9. BUCS Open: 1 T Oliver 6:10.6, 2 P Doyle 6:26.9, 3 R Urquart 6:34.7. BUCS Lightweight: C Beck 6:31.2.

Under-23 Lightweight: A Laivinas 6:50.3.

Under-18: D Mitchell 6:26.0. Under-16: A Christie 6:39.3. Under-15: A Graham (1,000m) 3:32.7.

BUCS Beginners (1,000): J Lobinger 3:11.4. 

Women

Open: R Maguire 7:15.4. BUCS Open: Maguire 7:15.4. BUCS Open Lightweight: R Brown 7:46.7.

Under-23: K Shirlow 7:28.3.

Under-18: F Chestnutt 7:31.0.

Under-16: L McIntyre 7:46.2. Under-15 (1,000m): A Hall 3:54.6. 30+ (1,000m): L Kerr 3:20.9.

BUCS Beginners (1,000m): A Druijff 3:45.8. 

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: The School Indoor Rowing Blitz in Trinity College drew hundreds of competitors. Borris Vocational School from Carlow won the Girls under-15 section ahead of Gaelcholáiste Ceatharlach, and Limerick school Laurel Hill won the girls under-14 category. The top under-14 boys’ team were CBC from Monkstown.  

For Full Results, See Attachment Below

School Indoor Rowing Blitz, Trinity College (Selected Results)

Boys

Under 14: 1 CBC Monkstown 7 min. 0.7 secs,  2 Presentation, Cork - Panthers 7:24:9. Under 13: 1 CBC Monsktown 7:51:0, 2 St Joseph’s, Galway One 7:53.9, 3 St Joseph’s, Galway Three 8:13.7.

Girls

Under 15; 1 Borris Vocational School – Barrow Barrowers 7:45.4, 2 Gaelcholáiste, Ceatharlach 7:53.1, 3 Cois Life, Lucan 8:32.7.

Under 14: 1 Laurel Hill, Limerick 7:43:3, 2 Coláiste Iognáid 7:44:5, 3  Borris Vocational School  - Barrow Blitzers 7:44:8. Under-13: 1 Laurel Hill, Limerick 7:48:0. 2 Col Iognaid 8:20:2, 3 Gael Scoil, Carlow 8:20:5

Published in Rowing

#ROWING: Kenny McDonald, who is the world champion indoor rower in the 40 to 49 lightweight category, today set a new Irish record in this class. The Shannon Rowing Club man clocked six minutes 20.7 seconds in a special test at St Michael’s Rowing Club in Limerick. This knocked exactly a second off Philip Healy’s old mark. Jonathan Doyle, also competing today, set a time of 6:24.0. The world record, which belongs to Denmark’s Eskild Ebbesen, is 6:18.8.

Published in Rowing

#ROWING: Kenny McDonald, the world champion indoor rower in the 40 to 49 lightweight class, will launch a bid on Sunday to break the Irish and world records in this class. McDonald, of Shannon Rowing Club, and Dubliner Jonathan Doyle, the man he replaced as champion earlier this year, will take each other on at St Michael’s Rowing Club in Limerick at 1 p.m. The Irish record  is 6:21.7, held by Philip Healy, and the world record time is 6:16.8. It was set in January at the European Championships in Copenhagen by five-time Olympic medallist Eskild Ebbesen.

McDonald, who is a garda and an instructor in the Garda College in Templemore, set a time of six minutes 24.5 seconds when he won his title in Boston in February, but felt he could have gone faster. “The race went well, it was nice to win it, (but) I was going out at the back of my mind to break the world record. It went well for 1200 metres but the wheels started to come off at that stage. The last 800 metres I lost the focus. I definitely had a faster time in me.”

Published in Rowing

#ROWING: Kenny McDonald of Shannon Rowing Club won the 40 to 49 lightweight class at the World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston yesterday. McDonald headed up an Ireland one-two: Jonathan Doyle, the defending champion, was second. Greg Ruckman of the United States, a world champion in the 30-39 class just two years ago, was third.

McDonald is a former Ireland international rower, while Doyle was a runner who took up indoor rowing after being hit by injury.

CRASH B World Indoor Rowing Championships, Boston, United States (Selected Result)

Men, Lightweight Senior Master Men (40-49):
1 K McDonald (Shannon RC) 6:24.5, 2 J Doyle (Paddy Power IRC) 6:26.7, 3 G Ruckman (Colorado Rowing) 6:32.0.

Published in Rowing

#INDOORROWING: Irish indoor rower Jonathan Doyle took a silver medal in a remarkable race at the European Indoor Championships in Copenhagen.

Five-time Olympic medallist Eskild Ebbesen of Denmark was cheered home to a gold medal in the 40-49 lightweight grade in a world record time of 6 minutes 16.8 seconds. The Dane crept inside the old world record of 6:17.1 with a stunning final quarter of one minute 31.1 seconds. Doyle settled for silver in 6:30.3, with Briton Alastair Peake third in 6:33.4.

Doyle held the world and British titles in his class, but said it was a privelege to be involved in this race.

The men’s open lightweight class was won in 5:56.7 by Henrik Stephansen of Denmark.

European Rowing Championships, Copenhagen (Selected Result):

Men, Lightweight – 40 to 49: 1 Danske Studenters Roklub One (E Ebbesen) 6:16.8, 2 Paddy Power IRC One (J Doyle) 6:30.3, 3 Bideford AAC One (A Peake) 6:33.4.

Published in Rowing
Tagged under

#BelfastIndoorRowing: Erin Barry, a junior 16 athlete, set an excellent time of seven minutes 2.1 seconds for the 2,000 metres at the Belfast Indoor Rowing Event today. Barry, from the Bann club in Coleraine, was over 30 seconds faster than her nearest rival. One of the top performers from the Irish Indoor Championships last week, Sam McKeown from Portadown, was entered but did not take part. The event served as part of the Ireland trialling system and a round of the British University indoor series.

 

UIR 2013 Nov 30
RESULTS INFO
2000m 1005 R1 W U16 Drag 120
Best from Limerick WU16 7:22.7 MANUAL SPLITS eg 00:03:55.4
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 1 Barry BANN W U16 07:02.1
2 2 DeSay NEPTUNE W U16 DNS
3 3 Clarke PORTORA W U16 07:39.2
4 4 Shirlow BANN W U16 07:36.0
5 5 McGrath CARLOW W U16 07:53.8
6 6 Walker P'DOWN W U16 08:21.9
7 0 7
8 0 8
9 0 9
10 0 10
11 0 11
12 0 12
2000m 1025 R2 W U16_Olwt Drag 120 LWW 125
Best from Limerick WOL 7:18.1 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 8 McCann P'DOWN W U16 DNF
6 2 DeSay NEPTUNE W U16 08:40.9
7 7 mullan BANN W U16 07:45.5
8 8
9 9 chestnutt BANN W U16 07:54.5
10 10 scott BANN W U16 07:53.8
11 11 Watson QULBC W OLwt 08:15.5
12 12 Cunningham QULBC W OLwt 00:05.6
2000m 1045 R3 M U16 Drag 130
Best from Limerick 6:32.6 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 13 MITCHELL BANN M U16 06:35.9
2 14 DAVIDSON BANN M U16 06:55.9
3 15 PARISH BANN M U16 06:48.8
4 16 CHRISTIE BANN M U16 06:56.5
5 0 5
6 0 6
7 0 7
8 0 8
9 0 9
10 0 10
11 0 11
12 0 12
UIR 2013 Nov 30
1000m 1105 R4 W U15_M50+ Drag free
Best from Limerick 3:45.8 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000
1 17 Coulter BELFAST RC W U15 04:09.5
2 18 Taylor BELFAST RC W U15 04:00.3
3 19 McIntyre LAGAN SC W U15 04:04.4
4 20 Hobson BELFAST RC W U15 04:02.8
5 21 White BELFAST RC W U15 DNF
6 22 Booth STRANMILLIS M 50+ DNS
7 0 7
8 0 8
9 0 9
10 0 10
11 0 11
12 0 12
2000m 1145 R5a W U18 Comb Drag 120
Best from Limerick 7:15.2 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 23 English BBC-TALENT W U18 07:17.9
2 24 Connolly NEPTUNE W U18 07:37.9
3 25 morelli BANN W U18 07:49.4
4 26 Turner BBC-TALENT W U18 07:36.7
5 27 Coleman NEPTUNE W U18 07:49.2
6 28 Martin P'DOWN W U18 08:46.3
7 29 wray BANN W U18 07:40.2
8 30 Glover PORTORA W U18 07:45.9
9 31 Blundell BBC-TALENT W U18 08:01.7
10 32 Byrne NEPTUNE W U18 07:46.3
11 33 Flack P'DOWN W U18 08:40.5
12 35 Smylie P'DOWN W U18 08:09.2
2000m 1205 R7 W OLwt_U23Lwt Drag 120 BUCS 125 lanes 3,4,5
Best from Limerick WU23L 7:25.3 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 36 Quinn BBC-TALENT W OLwt 07:18.1
2 37 Cameron BBC-TALENT W OLwt 07:33.5
3 38 Elliot QULBC W OLwt 08:11.8
4 39 Flynn QULBC W OLwt 08:44.7
5 40 Todd QULBC W OLwt 08:11.1
6 41 Morris DULBC W U23Lwt 07:27.2
7 42 Maguire QULBC W U23Lwt DNS
8 0 8
9 0 9
10 0 10
11 0 11
12 0 12
UIR 2013 Nov 30
2000m R8 M U18 Drag 130
Best from Limerick 6:25.2 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 43 Meenagh CAI M U18 07:16.8
2 44 Murray BBC-TALENT M U18 06:33.6
3 45 Murray PORTORA M U18 06:38.2
4 46 Curran CARLOW M U18 DNS
5 47 Carroll COMMERCIAL M U18 07:08.2
6 48 McKillen QUBBC M U18 06:19.7
7 49 Chambers P'DOWN M U18 07:33.6
8 50 Doyle NEPTUNE M U18 DNS
9 51 Mullan CAI M U18 06:57.0
10 52 Rix PORTORA M U18 06:31.3
11 53 Nolan CARLOW M U18 DNS
12 0 12
2000m 1245 R9 M U18 Drag 130
Best from Limerick 6:25.2 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 54 Keenan COMMERCIAL M U18 06:49.1
2 55 Ferguson P'DOWN M U18 07:45.7
3 56 Simpson CAI M U18 07:17.9
4 57 Taggart CAI M U18 DNS
5 58 Dunne COMMERCIAL M U18 06:58.0
6 59 Kerr P'DOWN M U18 08:07.0
7 60 McCaughtry BELFAST RC M U18 07:24.4
8 61 Bassett P'DOWN M U18 07:40.8
9 62 Kennedy CAI M U18 06:48.3
10 0 10
11 0 11
12 0 12
1000m 1305 R10 W Beginner Drag 130
MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000
1 63 Murdoch QULBC begW 04:18.2
2 64 Chapman QULBC begW 03:46.0
3 65 McGaughey QULBC begW 04:35.3
4 66 Laverty QULBC begW 04:27.8
5 67 Mullen QULBC begW 04:04.4
6 68 Whittaker QULBC begW DNS
7 69 Hinds QULBC begW 04:31.4
8 70 Fordwar QULBC begW 04:19.4
9 71 Burnside QULBC begW 04:12.1
10 72 Victoria QULBC begW 04:17.9
11 73 Kelly QULBC begW 04:03.0
12 74 McBrien QULBC begW 04:08.6
UIR 2013 Nov 30
1000m R11 W Beginner Drag 130
MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000
1 75 Fisher QULBC begW 04:13.7
2 76 Goodwin QULBC begW 04:28.8
3 77 Kelso QULBC begW 04:03.0
4 78 Copeland QULBC begW 04:33.3
5 79 Niamh QULBC begW 04:06.5
6 80 McI QULBC begW 04:10.8
7 81 Simpson QULBC begW 04:53.9
8 82 Kelly QULBC begW 04:05.7
9 83 Willis QULBC begW 04:06.5
10 84 Baxter QULBC begW DNS
11 85 Mary Claire QULBC begW DNS
12 86 Davis QULBC begW DNS
2000m 1335 R12 W O Drag 130 BUCS
Best from Limerick 6:53.2 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 87 McPherson QULBC W O 08:16.1
2 88 Taylor QULBC W O 07:51.8
3 89 Maguire QULBC W O 07:49.2
4 90 Thornton QULBC W O 07:50.6
5 91 McGookin QULBC W O 07:47.7
6 92 Bossmann QULBC W O DNS
7 93 Abbott QULBC W O 08:25.1
8 94 Brown QULBC W O 08:01.0
9 95 Doran QULBC W O DNS
10 96 Alicia QULBC W O 08:15.8
11 97 Holmes QULBC W O 08:20.1
12 0 12
2000m 1355 R13a M 23Lwt_OL_MO_M23 Drag 130 (BUCS)
Best from Limerick 23L 6:28.3 OL 6:19.1 MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000 1500 2000
1 98 mcafee BANN M U23Lwt 06:30.9
2 99 Hetherington ANGLIA RUSK M U23Lwt 06:42.4
3 100 McCann QUBBC M OLwt 06:46.2
4 101 McMullan QUBBC M OLwt 06:44.6
5
6 103 Armstrong QUBBC M OLwt 06:39.5
7 104 Evans QUBBC M OLwt 07:14.5
8
9 106 Moneypenney P'DOWN M O 06:51.4
10 109 Moran QUBBC M O 07:00.4
11 111 Magill QUBBC M U23 06:36.1
12 102 Abel QUBBC M OLwt 07:07.6
UIR 2013 Nov 30
1000m 1435 R15 M Beginner Drag 138
MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000
1 113 Gallagher QUBBC begM 03:22.2
2 114 Gray QUBBC begM DNS
3 115 McClure QUBBC begM DNS
4 116 McCormack QUBBC begM 03:24.5
5 117 Murray QUBBC begM 03:15.8
6 118 Rice QUBBC begM 05:21.6
7 119 Leonard QUBBC begM 03:31.1
8 120 Sloan QUBBC begM DNS
9 121 Troughton QUBBC begM 03:34.5
10 122 Connolly QUBBC begM DNS
11 123 Doherty QUBBC begM DNS
12 124 Stevenson QUBBC begM DNS
1000m 1450 R16 M Beginner Drag 138
MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000
1 125 Breslin QUBBC begM 03:37.6
2 126 Herron QUBBC begM 03:29.2
3 127 McClure QUBBC begM 03:45.2
4 128 Erskine QUBBC begM 03:19.4
5 129 Smith QUBBC begM 03:38.1
6 130 Sets QUBBC begM 03:19.4
7 131 Duffin QUBBC begM 03:50.1
8 132 Thompson QUBBC begM 03:38.3
9 133 Henry QUBBC begM 04:03.7
10 134 Vincent QUBBC begM 03:15.9
11 135 White QUBBC begM 03:21.2
12 136 Allen QUBBC begM 03:49.8
1000m 1520 R18 M Beginner Drag 138
MANUAL SPLITS
LANE CODE RACE NAME 500 1000
1 147 Graham QUBBC begM 03:16.6
2 148 McConnell QUBBC begM 03:57.7
3 149 Doyle QUBBC begM 03:07.7
4 150 Patton QUBBC begM 03:09.9
5 151 Lisowski QUBBC begM 03:19.3
6 152 Beatty QUBBC begM 03:23.2
7 153 Williamson QUBBC begM 03:23.8
8 154 J Kelly QUBBC begM 03:16.6
9 155 Brennan QUBBC begM 03:59.9
10 156 Machado QUBBC begM 03:37.4
11 0 Ruddy QUBBC begM 03:48.9
12 0 12
Published in Rowing
Page 1 of 2

About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth

Main Trophies

Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy – overall race winner under IRC Time Correction

Boccale de Mediterraneo – winner of ORC category

RLR Trophy – winner of monohull line honours

Captain Morgan Trophy – winner of multihull division on corrected time (MOCRA)

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