A crew from Galway Bay Sailing Club (GBSC) is gearing up to compete in the prestigious Rolex Middle Sea Race, a renowned 600-mile sailing event set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean. Standing shoulder to shoulder with other classic races such as the Fastnet Race and the Sydney-Hobart Race, the Middle Sea Race draws a diverse fleet of sailing enthusiasts from around the world, ranging from professional crews on sleek racing boats to spirited amateurs eager to showcase their racing prowess.
Having made waves in 2022 during the Round Ireland Race aboard the celebrated Green Dragon, the same GBSC team is now ready to take on the challenges of the Middle Sea Race. The team, skippered by Mark Wilson, will include Nigel Moss as watch leader. The GBSC team helped deliver an impressive performance in tricky conditions during the Round Ireland Race in 2022, achieving 2nd line honours.
For the upcoming Middle Sea challenge, the team has chartered the competitive J/122 cruiser/racer "Noisy Oyster", a vessel well-suited to the Mediterranean waters and stationed in the South of France. Mark Wilson and Nigel Moss will be joined by eight other GBSC members, more typically competitors on Wednesday nights throughout the season.
The race kicks off in the picturesque surroundings of Valletta, Malta, tracing a course north through the iconic Messina Straits between southern Italy and Sicily. Navigating past the renowned volcanic island of Stromboli, the boats will then follow the Sicilian coastline to the Egadi Islands. Keeping the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa to port, the race concludes back in Valletta. While the race is expected to span about four days, larger multihulls and some monohulls will be vying to complete the challenge in under two days.
Undoubtedly a formidable test for any crew, the GBSC team is determined to do Galway proud, shining a spotlight on the rich sailing heritage of Galway Bay. The team is actively seeking expressions of interest for sponsorship opportunities, offering a unique chance to align with an ambitious team participating in a globally-watched event. For more details, please contact fergallyons@gmail.com .