Germany's Red Bandit Triumphs in Historic Rolex Middle Sea Race

Germany's Red Bandit, led by Carl-Peter Forster, clinched victory in the 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race. The yacht emerged victorious with an IRC corrected time, making it the third German team to win. The race featured challenging conditions, including severe weather and strategic sailing.

Germany's Red Bandit, skippered by Carl-Peter Forster, has achieved a historic win in the 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race. The victory marks the third time a German yacht has triumphed in this prestigious offshore challenge.

The race, which spans a 606-nautical mile course around Sicily, relies on the IRC handicap system to ensure fair competition across different yacht classes. Red Bandit secured its victory with a corrected time confirmed by the Royal Malta Yacht Club after all other competitors finished.

The team, predominantly composed of sailors under 30, faced extreme conditions, including powerful thunderstorms and tactical lulls. Their resilience paid off as they overcame last year's early retirement due to equipment damage.

(With inputs from agencies.)