The Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation has revealed the crews set to take part in the upcoming 46th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which sets off on Saturday, 18th October.
Hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, this iconic 606-nautical-mile offshore race is renowned as one of the most challenging in the world. Beginning and ending in Malta, crews must navigate the ever-shifting conditions of the Mediterranean, and the Foundation’s young sailors, aboard the J/109 yachts Jarhead and JYS Jan, are fully prepared for the task.
The announcement comes shortly after the unveiling of JYS Jan’s refreshed branding, hot on the heels of Jarhead’s own rebrand. Alongside the introduction of the offshore race crews, the Foundation also launched their new sailing kits. The rebranding initiative was supported by MMH Ltd, while Camilleri Marine provided the technical kit. The Melita Foundation also contributed to the launch of a new spinnaker for JYS Jan.
This year’s race will see a change in approach for the Foundation, with both boats featuring mixed crews, a shift from last year’s gender-separated teams. Jarhead will be crewed by more experienced sailors, each of whom has participated in at least one previous edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. In contrast, JYS Jan will welcome a number of younger, less experienced sailors, offering them the invaluable opportunity to develop their skills in one of the world’s premier offshore sailing events.
“Offshore racing has become a significant part of my life,” said Gary Mercieca, who will co-skipper Jarhead alongside the Foundation’s founder and benefactor, Gregory Nasmyth. “Our priorities are always the same, return safely, learn as much as we can, and perform well in the race. The Foundation enters this event to teach offshore sailing and to help young people gain the skills they need to become well-rounded sailors.”
Despite some of its crew members having less experience, the Foundation has previously delivered impressive performances in the race. Last year, Jarhead, skippered by Mercieca, and JYS Jan, under Claudio Bugeja, were jointly awarded the Italian Ambassador’s Trophy for Sportsmanship, a testament to their teamwork, perseverance, and mutual support. Notably, the youngest participants at the time were 15-year-old Pippa Bartolo Parnis (Jarhead) and 14-year-old Luca Schembri Meli (JYS Jan), both of whom are set to return this year.
“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is the ultimate test for our young sailors,” commented JYS Jan skipper Claudio Bugeja. “Every crew member, regardless of age, understands that this is not a leisure cruise, it’s a serious challenge. What’s most important is the experience they gain, helping them grow into confident, capable sailors.”
Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation Crews
JYS Jan:
Claudio Bugeja (Skipper), Angelique Abela, Pippa Bartolo Parnis, Jean Pierre Grech, Amber Haynes, Dimitri Paschalidis, Nathaniel Raute, Luca Schembri Meli, Naeema Vella.
Team Jarhead:
Gary Mercieca (Skipper), Clara Farrugia, Roberta Farrugia, Matthew Grech, Jake Mallia, Gregory Nasmyth, Luke Portelli, Chiara Scerri Herrera.
Through year-round training and practical preparation, the Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation continues to offer young people the chance to experience the rigours and rewards of offshore sailing, fostering teamwork, responsibility, and a lifelong love for the sport.
As part of their final preparations, both Foundation teams will also take part in the Yachting Malta Coastal Race on Wednesday, 15th October, an ideal final training opportunity ahead of the Rolex Middle Sea Race that begins on Saturday.
The Jarhead Young Sailors Foundation is supported by MMH Malta Ltd, Camilleri Marine, Pharma.mt, and the Melita Foundation. The Foundation also extends its thanks to Richard Geres’ Sky Visuals for providing drone footage of the boats during training.
