In 2023, history was made when Gozo Dream, skippered by Noel Grech, became the first crew from the Gozo Sailing Club, to compete in the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Finishing 12th in IRC Class 6, the crew fulfilled a dream dating back to 1996. Their journey was the result of teamwork, perseverance, and nearly three decades of passion for sailing. Now, with lessons learned, the crew is ready for the 2024 race with renewed focus.
Reflecting on last year’s race, Noel and his team have fine-tuned their approach, incorporating advice from mentors and improving their understanding of how to handle their boat more efficiently. The crew, who hail from Gozo, remains largely the same, with the addition of three new members who bring with them fresh energy and enthusiasm. Embracing the Corinthian spirit and with a humble goal of completing the race safely amidst a field of highly professional and competitive boats and crews, they remain undeterred by the unpredictable nature of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Knowing their race will last longer than that of faster, more advanced boats, they’ve tailored their training to prepare for as many unpredictable scenarios as possible.
“This year, with the help of additional sponsorships, we were able to upgrade both our sails and instruments. Last year, we discovered that our instruments were unreliable, so we relied heavily on our ‘old style’ sailing knowledge, which proved invaluable. While we still favour this traditional approach, this year we’ll be supported by better technology to enhance our performance.” – Noel Grech.
This year, thanks to additional sponsorships, they’ve upgraded their sails and instruments, combining their traditional sailing knowledge with enhanced technology for a stronger performance.
