Sailors eye more medals to promote their sport

Jean Paul Fleri Soler and Mario Aquilina know what it takes to succeed in the Games of the Small States of Europe.

Fleri Soler was our first gold medallist in GSSE water sport after winning the boardsailing event in Malta in 1993. Aquilina tasted similar glory ten years later in the Laser Standard class, again in 'home waters'.

Fleri Soler and Aquilina are now looking to impart their knowledge and experiences onto the Optimist and Laser sailors under their guidance.

Fleri Soler's squad of Optimist sailors are all new faces, barring Sean Borg. He was in the 2003 team.

Thomas Zammit Tabona, Gabriel Pace, Ella Fleri Soler and Abigail Fenech are the other members in Fleri Soler's team.

"We've been waiting for the GSSE for a long time," Fleri Soler told The Times.

"Despite their relatively young age, all our Optimist sailors have shown great dedication and discipline during training and all deserve to be in the team.

"We are going to Monaco with the aim of repeating the results obtained in Malta four years ago - a gold and a bronze medal in Optimist sailing. The host nation will be hard to beat though... they are more accustomed to the conditions.

"Competition is always tough, we know, and all competitors will be hoping luck won't desert them during the event. But, I have confidence in my team and I'm sure we'll have podium finishes."

Benji Borg was Malta's gold medal winner in Optimists in 2003. He has now switched to Laser.

Aquilina reckons Borg and his team-mates Simon Aquilina, Christoph Podesta and Maya Podesta, have struck peak form just in time for Monaco.

"We began our preparations in November and training was held in different places around the country to make sure we tested the sailors' skills in all types of conditions," Aquilina said.

"As with the case in Optimists, Monaco will be the team to beat in the Laser Class. They have valid sailors in the team and they've been training on the competition course for months now. There will be others in contention but we do feel that in Laser the Maltese can challenge for the top placings.

"Monaco start favourites. I would also not be surprised if they include top French sailors in their team at the 11th hour to make sure they won't miss out on the gold medal."

Aquilina said the Maltese sailors in Laser enjoy a good reputation.

"Our standard is very good," he said.

"This year we took part in the Europa Cup, a competition that attracts participants from all countries on the continent. We did well and gained a placing inside the top 20.

"For us, that was a clear indication that we are on the right track."

Sailing is back on the GSSE calendar after an absence of four years. After Monaco, the Games will be held in Cyprus and sailing competition is almost guaranteed.

Fleri Soler said uninterrupted participation in GSSE and similar international competitions were a huge incentive to attract more newcomers to the sport, even though it has become difficult for the federation to cope with the expenses.

"We require a lot of sponsorships and other aid to support this sport," Fleri Soler said.

"We get the funds mainly from the MOC but that alone is not enough to cover the expenses for the national team.

"At present, we have one sailor who is benefiting from a MOC scheme, the others have to find other sources for sponsorships. Here, we are not just talking about flights and hotel accommodation but other expenses, like the transportation of boats overseas. Many times sailors end up paying hundreds of liri to represent the country in international competitions.

"Obviously, not all parents can afford these expenses and it's not the first time that promising sailors quit the sport.

"We have to make the authorities aware of these kind of difficulties. Hopefully, good results in Monaco will generate more interest and financial backing to our sport."