Mowgli of Portsmouth, representing the Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença, was proclaimed the winner in the ORC 6 class of the 46th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, one of the most demanding and prestigious offshore races in the Mediterranean. The boat, crewed by brothers Patrick and Vincent Harris, completed the circumnavigation of Sicily, starting and finishing in Malta, in 5 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 56 seconds.
In addition to its victory in ORC 6, Mowgli took second place in the overall ORC 2 classification and was also runner-up in the IRC Double Handed category, which brings together small crews of two people.
Designed by Illingworth & Primrose and launched in 1965, the Mowgli of Portsmouth is a classic 10.93-metre wooden sloop with a long ocean racing history. In an interview two years ago with Gaceta Náutica, Patrick Harris recalled that the yacht has competed in nine editions of the Fastnet throughout its history. ‘Our history with this boat is a bit strange. We weren't looking for a wooden boat, but it found us. It's fate,’ replied Harris, who, in addition to being a sailor, is a renowned artist, when asked about the acquisition of a classic sailing boat that was about to turn 60 at the time.
