Significant foreign participation expected

With a few weeks to go for the start of the Malta Euromed Championship, preparations at the Malta Young Sailors Club are well underway to ensure that this fifth edition will be as successful as the previous ones.

The first foreign sailor, Jan Philip Hofmann, arrived last week. He is currently being hosted by a Maltese sailor's family and attending school at St Edwards College. Hofmann is sailing and training with the Malta Young Sailors Club members.

The organisers have managed to lure 130 sailors from 11 countries to compete in the Optimist and Laser Classes, a clear indication of the huge respect the competition has gained internationally over the years.

This year's event will also double up as a training event for race officers. With the approval and support of the International Sailing Federation, Anthony Lockett will run a race management course.

People from as far as China and Uganda, besides Italy and Malta, have shown interest in this course and will initially attend lectures and then help with the race management afloat.

A complete international jury will be officiating the event. Besides solving any protests, two members of this five-strong team will brief the sailors on sailing rules and regulations.

The main guest of the championship will be Rene Kluin, president of the International Optimist Dinghy Association. Mr Kluin will be coming over to monitor the progress of optimist sailing in Malta.