149 ships have registered to compete for glory in the gold weddings of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the ocean test of 606 nautical miles that from Malta surrounds Sicily in an anti-schedule sense... the Saluting Battery cannons, in the bastions of La Valeta, will sound next Saturday to indicate the beginning of an adventure that includes sailing between active volcanoes and mythological monsters, as said Homer in the Odyssey.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a reference for navigation lovers for many reasons, although perhaps their main claim is to go through the "most beautiful tour in the world," as defined by American magnate Ted Turner. With exit and arrival in Malta, it takes as a forced point of passage infinity of icons of history and mythology by circumnavigating Sicily in a sense against schedule. Part of the Grand Harbour of Malta, a natural port at the foot of the impressive bastions of La Valeta (European City of Culture 2018), from where the fleet is launched north towards the Strait of Messina, the narrow portion of water that separates Sicily from the southwestern end of the boot of Italy, and that according to Greek mythology is home to the Scila and Caribbean monsters.

Rolex has always been associated with activities that, like herself, are motivated by passion, excellence, accuracy and team spirit... naturally, Rolex has gravitated into the world of sailing, forming an alliance dating back to the 1950s... today, Rolex is the main sponsor of 15 of the most important international sailing events

After reaching the Tyrrhenian Sea, the participants must surround the Eolias Islands, passing to the shadow of the active volcano Estromboli, to set a west parallel to the northern coast of Sicily and to the Eggas Islands (stage at the end of the First Punic War), taking as forced points of passage the islands of Favignana, Pantelleria and Lampedusa before returning to Malta after having completed 606 nautical miles (1,122 km).

Eight ships competed for victory in the 1968 inaugural edition. Today, the fleet remains stable around the 100 boats in each edition. In 2014 it brought together 122 ships, a historic brand that will fall next Saturday if the 149 ships that have confirmed their registration for this 39th edition (the race was not held between 1984 and 1995).