Grand Harbour Marina Blog

I came across this in the local press about one category of Racers so I have put it in here as two of the boats are still in it and deserve support- (dont worry Sean I checked with Giles) – The Maltese entry was doing fantastically well but on rounding stromboli were hit by squall after squall and were starting to break equipment so pulled out. Here though is the double handers :

The Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted its share of characters over the years and more often than not in the double-handed division.

This year is no exception and there are a number of crews embarking on the short-handed challenge including monohulls Cambo III (GBR), Cymba (ITA) and Nemesis CredalTrust (MLT), and, multihulls High Q1 (GER) and Silver Chiller (GER).

Sailing 606 nautical miles fully crewed is a physical endeavour.

Sailing the same distance with just two onboard is just as much a mental one. Invariably, the boats tend to be among the smallest in the fleet, so they would already be at sea the longest even if fully crewed.

Two of the monohulls mentioned are racing the course double-handed for the first time.

Mark Schranz and Isaac Borg, the Maltese co-skippers of Nemesis, are on a rite of passage.

Among the more macho of the Maltese yacht-racers, there seems to be a view that you have not done the Rolex MSR properly until you have done it this way.

“This has always been an ambition for me,” says Schranz.

“I’ve often been told it is something you must do. It is a challenge, but one I am looking forward to.”

Schranz has done the race three times and Borg six times so both have some experience to draw on.

Nemesis is the biggest of the double-handers at 50-feet.

“She is bigger than we are used to racing,” Schranz remarked.

“My other MSRs have been on a 35-footer. We are happy though, because she is solid and perfectly set up for this race. Safety is a priority for us.”

Schranz expects it to be strenuous, but believes mental preparation will be more important than physical.

“I am very comfortable sailing with Isaac, we have known each other for 15 to 20 years. I am not so sure about the solitude of being on watch alone. I have taken the opportunity to discuss this with some of the other Maltese that have done the race this way such as Darius Godwin, Ben Stuart, John Dougall and Anthony Camilleri. This has been very useful.”

Cambo III is also on a rite of passage, but of a very different nature.

Michael and Steven Clough are cousins. Both aged over 60, their cumulative age is alarming for a two-handed entrant. When you add in Steven is battling cancer and is a diabetic, the enormity of the challenge ahead appears exceptional… until you speak to them.

Both Cloughs are quietly spoken and display considerable level-headedness about the race ahead.

“I was aware of Steve’s health problems,” explains Michael, “and when he told me he was planning to bring his boat here, I thought it would be fitting as cousins that we do this race together… double-handed.”

“We realise we’ve bitten off a big chunk here,” continues Michael, an International Juror on the grand prix sailing circuit.

“We’re both over 60, she’s a small boat and it’s a tough race, it can be a very tough race.”

Steven Clough is undoubtedly a lesson in the power of positive thinking.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to the race, although with a degree of trepidation,” he remarks.

“I’m feeling very healthy, and positive as well. Focusing on the race ahead has helped push my other problems to the background.

“The challenge of the race is something else. I’ve never done anything more than a couple of short races double-handed. But we’ve sailed together a fair bit, worked each other out and Mike’s worked out the boat, so we’re prepared.”

Getting to the start line of a race such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race has often been described as a victory in itself. To cross the start line with just two on the boat takes that achievement one step further and the biggest cheers at the finish are always reserved for the double-handers.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 14:42 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.