Podesta for Sailor of the Year

The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) has nominated Arthur Podesta to be considered by the Malta Sailing Federation as the Sailor of the Year for 2005.

This nomination was based on Podesta's achievements during the 2005 racing calendar that the club provides for its members.

Together with his crew, most of them youngsters, Podesta skippered Elusive to various wins which included the Spring and Autumn Series, the Gattopardo Offshore Race, the Triple Handed Night Race Round Malta, Summer Regatta and the Rolex MSR Coastal Race Round Comino.

Besides, he ended in the runner-up position in four other major RMYC races, namely, Marzamemi-Malta Offshore, Double Handed Round Malta, Rolex Coastal Race Round Filfla and D/H Round Malta and Gozo.

Added with these exploits, Podesta also emerged winner of the Beneteau Cup, organised by the Beneteau Club.

Since his childhood days, Podesta has been a keen sailor and over the years worked himself to being one of the top skippers on the island.

His sailing ambitions are well versed. He hates to lose and at times drags himself to the point of exasperation to win, I wouldn't dare say at all costs but almost.

Maybe, that is what makes him a fine sailor always pushing himself to an unbeatable position.

The club also noted that Podesta is the only sailor who raced in all 26 editions of the Middle Sea Race. A unique record hard to beat.

Moreover, he also ventured abroad and raced in the Cowes Week with a participation in the famous Fastnet aboard Austrian boat Mr Fipps, well-known over here in the RMSR.

First Offshore Challenge Trophy

Thanks to the hard work exercised by R/C Racing Godwin Zammit, the RMYC recently launched the first-ever Offshore Challenge Trophy.

The rules were simple. Only five races counted out of the seven marked by the club and each race had its own particular value of points.

One may argue that after the first experiment there may be an opportunity to review and develop the points system but this will be entirely in the hands of the new administration later on this year and only if the case arises.

The entry consisted of a staggering 31 yachts. Allegra, Elusive and Maltese Falcon can pride themselves that they figured in all seven races and ended up in that order behind top boat Strait Dealer.

Commanche Raider, Primavera, Primadonna, Bordeaux 3, Mystique of Malta and Aziza followed up to form the top 10.

The club's aim to enhance its offshore races by introducing this Challenge Cup has proved to be a success and is looking forward to improving this competition.