Yachts are pictured off the coast of Malta as they compete in the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Frolexmiddlesearace.com%2Findex.cfm" target="_blank" target="_blank">Rolex Middle Sea Race</a>.
Mediterranean magic —
Yachts are pictured off the coast of Malta as they compete in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
The sun shines through the sails of yachts during what is one of the world's most spectacular races.
Light fantastic —
The sun shines through the sails of yachts during what is one of the world's most spectacular races.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
Maserati, skippered by Giovanni Soldini, took multihull line honors in a record time of two days, one hour and 25 minutes.
Fast work —
Maserati, skippered by Giovanni Soldini, took multihull line honors in a record time of two days, one hour and 25 minutes.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
A Maserati victory appeared unlikely for much of the race as Phaedo3 -- skippered by Lloyd Thornburg and the previous holder of the record -- forged what seemed a comfortable lead.
Against the odds —
A Maserati victory appeared unlikely for much of the race as Phaedo3 -- skippered by Lloyd Thornburg and the previous holder of the record -- forged what seemed a comfortable lead.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
The Rolex Middle Sea Race course, 606 nautical miles long, begins amid the splendor of Valletta Grand Harbor.
Grand surroundings —
The Rolex Middle Sea Race course, 606 nautical miles long, begins amid the splendor of Valletta Grand Harbor.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
The race as it stands now was born in 1968, when the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded an event that's still going strong 37 editions later.
Rich history —
The race as it stands now was born in 1968, when the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded an event that's still going strong 37 editions later.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
The roots of racing in the area can be traced back even further, to the 1950s and the days when British servicemen stationed on Malta began racing competitively.
Military origins —
The roots of racing in the area can be traced back even further, to the 1950s and the days when British servicemen stationed on Malta began racing competitively.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
Brothers Paul and John Ripard, together with Jimmy White and Alan Green, designed a course intended to attract and challenge the best back in the 1960s.
Varied challenges —
Brothers Paul and John Ripard, together with Jimmy White and Alan Green, designed a course intended to attract and challenge the best back in the 1960s.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
Maserati is dwarfed by the bow of cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas off Valletta, Malta.
Rhapsody in Blue —
Maserati is dwarfed by the bow of cruise ship Rhapsody of the Seas off Valletta, Malta.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7
Soldini (second left) relaxes with members of his crew after their victory.
Winning feeling —
Soldini (second left) relaxes with members of his crew after their victory.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Maserati Multi7