Hong Kong's Scallywag 100 emerged as the first yacht to reach Malta in the 606-nautical-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race, beating out tough competition. Offshore racing is known for its grueling nature and unpredictable conditions, placing immense strain on the crews. Throughout the race, qualities such as perseverance, adaptability, and dedication were put to the test as the 112-strong fleet faced ever-changing weather and challenging competition. The race demanded the maximum effort from each individual and the collective crew.
Rolex has been a partner of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) since 2002. This year, Scallywag 100 secured line honors and overall victory on handicap, showcasing the teamwork and resilience of the crew in overcoming adversity. Another 100ft maxi, Red Bandit from Germany, claimed the overall victory on handicap.
Scallywag 100 was accompanied at the front of the monohull fleet by the Monaco-flagged Esimit Europa 2. The team's Spanish navigator, Juan Vila, made a tactical decision to head into a cloud instead of tacking at Lampedusa, gaining a better angle and pulling away from the competition. Scallywag 100 completed the race with an elapsed time of two days, 21 hours, 33 minutes, and 29 seconds.
Lee Seng Huang, the owner of Scallywag 100, has dedicated significant time and effort to the team's campaign, ensuring they sail to their maximum potential. The line honors victory provided immense satisfaction for skipper David Witt and the crew, following a heartbreaking retirement from last year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The crew's perseverance and mistake-free sailing paid off in this prestigious race.
Red Bandit's crew, led by skipper Carl-Peter Forster, includes a mix of professionals and young sailors who have benefited from Forster's charitable pathway program. Their victory in the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a dream come true for the team, who had little knowledge of offshore or big boat sailing when they started the project. They have come a long way in three years of training and learning to handle the delicate TP52 machine.
The race was not without its challenges, including a brutal first night at sea with a violent thunderstorm along the east coast of Sicily. Despite facing misfortune during last year's race, Red Bandit proved more robust this time and pushed through the relentless experience. Navigation played a crucial role in the race, with the team making countless decisions to ensure they were in the right place at the right time.
The 2024 Rolex Middle Sea Race has exemplified the intrepid spirit of offshore racing and Rolex's continued support for this demanding discipline of yachting. Overcoming adversity as a collective effort defines these 600-nautical-mile offshore classics.
