Young sailors show their mettle in Reggio regatta

A team of nine sailors from the Malta Young Sailors Club (MYSC), accompanied by national Optimist sailing coach Jean Paul Fleri Soler, visited Reggio Calabria recently to compete in the 26th edition of the Mediterranean Cup, organised by the Circolo Velico Reggio ASD.

Held annually in the Messina Straits, the Mediterranean Cup offers a spectacle for onlookers, with a fleet of over 90 sailors, including members of the Italian national Olympic Optimist team, showing their sailing skills against a backdrop of mountains and hill-sides.

Shifting wind conditions and strong currents made life difficult for the sailors, with great fluctuations ranging from very light to very strong in the same race.

Edward Fleri Soler and Thomas Bonello Ghio were the two most consistent sailors in the main fleet. At the end of the first day of racing, they were first and fourth respectively.

However, the Maltese team faced an uphill struggle the next day.

Fleri Soler finished fourth overall and Bonello Ghio ninth, a creditable achievement considering the level of competition and the unpredictable conditions.

Ella Fleri Soler turned in an excellent performance, placing second overall and first female in the 4.7 laser class.

Sailing in a fleet of 34 sailors was a good learning experience for all, and very good results were recorded by Zac Zammit, Alex Esposito, Karl Miggiani and Justin Busuttil.

Separate races were held for the cadet class and this was the first international overseas experience for cadets Shaun Miggiani and Craig Farrugia Vella, the latter representing the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club.

The visit to Reggio Calabria also offered the opportunity to MYSC secretary and Malta Sailing Federation president Anna Rossi to promote the upcoming Euromed International Regatta, to be held in Mellieħa between December 17 and 22, among foreign sailing clubs.