Three-race regatta to be held this week

This year's sixth edition of the Beneteau Cup will be held between Thursday and Sunday.

"Forty Beneteaus are expected to participate... this year it will be interesting to see four generations of Oceanis and First designs racing against each other," Mediterranean Yacht Sales Ltd, the organisers of the three-day event, said in a statement.

The racing programme commences on Friday afternoon when the boats sail around the waters of the North East shores of Malta and proceed to berth at the Valletta Waterfront.

Interestingly, on Saturday morning the boats will set off for the second race to Mgarr, Gozo from the Grand Harbour. It has been quite a while since the Grand Harbour last provided the setting for the start of a local yacht race.

On the last day of the event, on Sunday, the fleet will head back to Marsamxett with a prize-giving reception at the Grand Hotel Excelsior to be held shortly afterwards.

The briefing is scheduled for Thursday evening (7.30 p.m.) at the Grand Hotel Excelsior's Bellavanti Meeting Room.