Hong Kong’s Scallywag 100 emerged as the first yacht to reach Malta, securing line honours at the 45th edition of the 606-nautical-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race. Competing against 112 other boats, the Scallywag 100 fought through unpredictable weather conditions and tough competition to come out on top. The grueling offshore race demands perseverance, adaptability, and dedication from both the individuals and the collective crew.
One of Scallywag 100's rivals, Germany’s Red Bandit, claimed overall victory on handicap. The race, supported by Rolex and organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, has been a partnership since 2002.
Scallywag 100 was joined at the front of the monohull fleet by another impressive 100ft maxi yacht from Monaco. With the help of an inspired tactical call from their Spanish navigator, Juan Vila, Scallywag 100 managed to gain an advantage by heading into a cloud instead of tacking around Lampedusa. They finished the race with an elapsed time of two days, 21 hours, 33 minutes, and 29 seconds.
The owner of Scallywag 100, Lee Seng Huang, dedicated time and energy to the team's campaign, and the crew worked hard to achieve success and sail the boat to its full potential. The line honours victory provided immense satisfaction for skipper David Witt and the crew, especially after the disappointment of retiring from last year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Witt expressed pride in the team's flawless performance throughout the race and expressed interest in participating again in the future.
Red Bandit's crew, led by skipper Carl-Peter Forster, consisted of two professionals and 11 young sailors who have been part of Forster's offshore sailing development program. Winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race was a dream come true for Forster and his team, who have come a long way over the past three years. Forster praised the crew's ability to handle the delicate TP52 yacht in various weather conditions.
The race was not without its challenges. The fleet faced a brutal thunderstorm along the east coast of Sicily, and several boats had to retire due to equipment damage. However, the Scallywag 100 and Red Bandit navigated these obstacles with skill and determination.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race is known for testing the human spirit and showcasing the unwavering dedication of offshore sailors. Rolex's continued support for this challenging discipline of yachting was evident in the 2024 edition of the race.
