Saperi and Sapori off to a fine start

Following the successful organisation of the Marzamemi Offshore Race last month, the Royal Malta Yacht Club embarked on an even more challenging event, this time to San Leone at the southern coast of Sicily.

The club has projected this 110-nautical mile race to honour its partnership with Intertegg IIIA Italia-Malta, the Institute of Tourism Studies in Malta and the School of Catering in Sicily. It is a "Saperi and Sapori" special event, sponsored by the European Union.

Sailingwise, this was an exciting event with all boats leaving Marsamxett Harbour in a slightly healthy downwind breeze that kept spinnakers up all the way to San Leone, rated among the most attractive marinas in Sicily.

It was more or less a tight match with forerunners all engaged in a tactical battle of wits as the wind blew stronger several times, having the 24-hour plus expected time of arrival slashed to an incredible ten hours by local boat Strait Dealer.

The persistent right shift had both Primadonna and Maltese Falcon fighting out a very tight game close enough to be in a passing downwind position. In the end, it was Primadonna that clinched the runner-up spot with Maltese Falcon settling for third.

It was a weekend full of activities at San Leone, with cultural visits to Valle dei Tempi and an exclusive reception at Villa Silkana.