With a Force 6-7 Gregale (described as ‘moderate winds' on the local weather websites) blowing through the islands overnight and showing no signs of abating during the day, the Royal Malta Yacht Club was forced to cancel the first of two coastal races scheduled as warm ups for the main event - the Rolex Middle Sea Race that starts this Saturday at 1100. The strong Easterly wind being generated is forecast to continue until tomorrow raising the possibility that the second coastal race could also be cancelled. Better news is that on Wednesday evening the wind should start to decrease, at least to a Force 5 or 6, and back to a more northeasterly airflow. If the decrease continues, it may allow some of the twenty or so yachts currently stuck in and around Sicily to make the passage to down to Malta in time for the start.
