Malta Sotheby’s International Realty has announced its exclusive sponsorship of SEVEN by Malta Sotheby’s International Realty for the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2026. The partnership brings a brand rooted in the Maltese Islands and connected to an international real estate network, alongside a precision-driven crew preparing for one of the Mediterranean’s most formidable offshore sailing challenges.
Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the 47th edition starts from Grand Harbour on Saturday, 17 October. Its 606-nautical-mile course circles Sicily and neighbouring islands before returning to Malta, testing tactical judgement and endurance in changeable conditions. First held in 1968, the race is an international sporting fixture with a distinctive place in Malta’s maritime heritage.
Malta Sotheby’s International Realty has served the islands’ high-end residential and commercial property market since 2013, bringing local knowledge to clients in Malta and abroad. Its connection to the wider Sotheby’s International Realty network gives that expertise an international perspective. Supporting SEVEN allows the company to celebrate Malta’s sailing tradition and the community that surrounds it.
The decision also reflects an understanding that outstanding outcomes depend on preparation, discretion and sound judgement. In real estate, those qualities shape how the company advises its clients; at sea, they underpin the decisions a crew must make together. The sponsorship recognises the people behind the endeavour, rather than simply the occasion itself.
“Malta’s reputation is shaped not only by the properties and places we represent, but also by the people and pursuits that define these islands. SEVEN’s campaign reflects values we hold dear: commitment, skill and the determination to embrace an exceptional challenge. With deep local roots and an international outlook, we are proud to support this crew as it competes on one of offshore sailing’s most prestigious stages,” said
Michael J. Zammit, Director and Joint Owner of Malta Sotheby’s International Realty.
SEVEN will compete under co-skippers Mario Debono, Rear Commodore (House) of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, and Dimitrios Paschalidis. Debono’s role at the organising club gives the campaign a particularly close connection to the institution behind the race. Joining them are Davi Caproni Pinto, Michael John Docherty, Vitaliya Engels, Paolo Fortugno Farrugia, Amber Haynes, Ratko Maletic, Paul Masters, Carlos Murillo Reis Carneiro Novaes, Ramon Sant Hill and Luca Schembri Meli.
The offshore course will require a collective effort through long watches, with the crew relying on mutual trust and the ability to work as one when the unexpected arises. The race draws an international field of competitors, along with a devoted following of sailing enthusiasts who share a passion for the sport.
As race week gets underway, Malta Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to support SEVEN and its crew. We wish the team a strong breeze and fast racing, and we look forward to tracking their progress across every nautical mile.
Discover more about Malta Sotheby’s International Realty by visiting their website at
www.maltasothebysrealty.com, contacting them on +356 2010 8077, or visit one of their offices located on the Portomaso Marina or the Tigne Point Pjazza.
