Italy coach conducts training camp

Nine Optimist sailors from the Malta Young Sailors Club recently participated in a training camp at the Grand Hotel Excelsior under the expert guidance of Italian national Optimist coach Massimo Giorgianni.

The sailors benefited from Giorgianni's vast experience in the sport and also had the opportunity to pace their sailing on the water against Tito Rodda, a 14-year-old sailor currently ranked no.4 in Italy.

Full-day training sessions commenced with theory lessons on boat control, wind conditions, sail setting and racing tactics, followed by intensive four-hour sailing sessions in a variety of conditions.

During debriefing the sailors were also able to discuss their progress while viewing video footage of their performance on the water. Giorgianni was also assisted by national Optimist coach Jean-Paul Fleri Soler.

The training camp was sponsored by the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Giorgianni's visit was part of an intensive training programme by the Malta Sailing Federation for the Optimist team ahead of the Games of the Small States of Europe which will be held in Cyprus next month.