32 boats set for the 66th Turkish Airlines Malta-Syracuse Race

Thirty-two boats have entered the 66th edition of the Turkish Airlines Malta–Syracuse Race, making this one of the biggest fleets in the race’s recent history.

The race starts from Marsamxett on Saturday 11 July, sailing north to Syracuse across the 80-nautical-mile course.

Co-hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Lega Navale Italiana (Sezione di Siracusa), the race is the oldest offshore fixture in the Mediterranean, contested between the two clubs since 1952, with the direction of the course alternating each year.

Conceived by Captain John Illingworth of the Royal Navy – who won the inaugural race himself – it has long united sailors from both nations in a friendly but hard-fought rivalry.

The fleet’s size is matched by its experience, with many boats having competed multiple times before, across the ORC, IRC and Gran Crociera divisions.

The course record has stood since 2014, when Massimo Savoca’s Dreamer Tech covered the distance in 8 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds – a mark that has remained out of reach for more than a decade.

Among the 32 entries, ten fly the Maltese flag. Sean Borg’s Jubatus, winner in 2024, returns after sitting out last year’s edition. Sebastian Ripard’s Calypso, winner of the race in 2023 will return once again and Lee Satariano’s Artie III – winner in 2020, will make a welcome comeback after an absence of two years.

The local line-up is completed by Charles Cronin’s Alecto, Kevin Pisani Zammit’s Dimm, Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration, Luis Azzopardi’s Kixx Me, Mario Debono’s Seven, Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla and Andrew Agius Delicata & Matthew Gabriele’s Vivace.

For many of these crews, the race also serves as preparation ahead of the Rolex Middle Sea Race later in the year.

The Italian contingent is equally competitive.

Ferdinando Arcucci’s Capitani Coraggiosi, whose association with the race stretches back to a trophy win in 2008, returns once again. Duc in Altum, the Grand Soleil 37 sailed by a crew under Francesco Giacalone and a fixture in the fleet for the best part of a decade, won the Gran Crociera class in last year’s edition, while Gaetano Virdone’s Luna Bianca is among the other returning names.

Turkish Airlines is supporting two editions of the race, reinforcing the international profile of one of the Mediterranean’s most storied offshore contests.

“The Malta–Syracuse Race carries decades of shared history between our two clubs. With ten Maltese boats on the start line, several of them past winners, we look forward to another closely fought edition and to renewing our long-standing friendship with the Lega Navale Italiana in Syracuse,” said Mark Napier, Commodore, Royal Malta Yacht Club