VOLVO TEST DRIVE – REVIEW
Well, we’re back and we survived 😉
I’ve heard it said that the best Rolex ocean race in the world is not the Sydney Hobart or the Fastnet but the Rolex Middle Sea Race out of Malta.
Having just experienced it firsthand I am in full agreement!
Ten friends from RBYC and RMYC signed up for the race over a year ago. Originally, we were booked on Hypr a Volvo 70 but that boat broke its mast while training off the Isle of Wight. Then we were moved onto a Volvo 65 and started getting nervous while watching some U tube videos of a 65 in the Southern Ocean – A very powerful and twitchy machine compared to the 70 which is “just a powerful big truck” – so Benny our Swiss skipper told us – but I wasn’t convinced!
Our boat “Green Dragon” arrived in Malta just a few days before the race start delivered from Spain by only 3 crew, all of them just 22 years old. They stayed with us for the race and were amazing re: sailing skills, pure physical strength and importantly excellent social engagement skills with guests. We nicknamed them “Benny and the Jets”.
So on to the race – Just 606 NM, a giant circle around Sicily starting and finishing in Malta (we managed to record 724NM). After 3 days of training including using and connecting pedestal winches, every sail combo up and down and the really important rules with the backstay runners we were finally ready.
Luckily the amazing crew party with over 1000 guests was two days prior to race start so any sore heads got well rested 😉
Our start was around midday with a perfect 10 to 15 knots which saw us reeling in and passing much of the fleet. With 20 of us on board we were running 2 x 4 hour watches. I remember coming up for my watch about midnight as we approached Strait of Messina (between Italy and Sicily) and the wind was up at about 20knots. I looked at Benny and said “I think we should put a reef in” He just looked at me and smiled.
If the wind was kind, we estimated two nights at sea (monohull record being Comanche in 2021 at just over 40 hours)
Unfortunately, light winds came later, and we ended up with 4 nights at sea – but the scenery made it worthwhile, including the active volcano on Stromboli providing a nighttime firework display.
So was it worth it? Yes, yes, yes without hesitation – incredible all round on so many levels. If any of you are tempted to find out more – please ask.
Neil Sargeant (RBYC General Committee Member)
PS we are currently talking with Benny and the Jets to join us as crew across two boats for the 2024 Sydney Hobart.
PPS – A special thank you goes to Sean Hogan who was the inspiration and organiser for our great adventure.
