Three classes - three winners in RMYC race

The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) recently organised the Double Handed Round Malta Race, sponsored by International Yacht Paints.

Three winners secured the third edition of this popular regatta. TonTon, a Dufour 44, clearly won Class 1 and first overall while Otra Vez dominated Class 2. In the Cruiser Class, there was no boat that could keep up with the pace of Windward.

All three boats clearly deserved to be the winners in their classes and there were quite a few close results in all three divisions.

The forecast for race day was for a light Easterly wind which was scheduled to increase slightly in the afternoon.

From Marsamxett, the fleet sailed towards the Munxar Cardinal Buoy, down to the Freeport Terminal, towards the South Comino Channel and back for Valletta. Racing was very close all the way down the western coast as the fleet flew its spectacular spinnakers in a gentle stable-building breeze which sometimes increased to a good 20 knots of wind speed.

TonTon, with Matthew Scicluna as skipper and Nikki Sammut on board, this time managed to sail an excellent race and led the fleet home closely followed by Geisha. Elusive finished in third place.

Edward Gatt Floridia and Sean Arrigo Azzopardi, on board Otra Vez won Class 2 line honours and also claimed top spot on corrected time in their division.

"This was as tough as it can be but we enjoyed it tremendously. We gybed all the way down the back end of the island and made a few sail changes on the way too," said an exhausted, but jubilant, Arrigo Azzopardi at the dock.

Time Out was second and Gordon Craig did a "Harry" and finished off in third place, beating sporting rival Martin Meachem by just 13 seconds.

Anthony Camilleri, together with Gilbert Azzopardi as crew, managed to hold off some stiff opposition with some great sail trimming on board Windward. In the Cruiser Class, Escape finished in second place followed by Du 4.

Post race comments from participants were mostly positive and all looked forward to more short-handed racing organised by the RMYC.

During the prize giving ceremony, Andrew Magri Overand, representing International Yacht Paints, congratulated all sailors, especially the winners.

The next club event will be the Gewiss Marzamemi Weekend Regatta with a fleet of 58 boats expected to participate this year.