Beneteau Cup starts today

The ninth Beneteau Cup will be held between today and Sunday.

The annual event brings together owners of series produced Beneteau boats for a three-day celebration of competitive spirit and social enjoyment. The beauty of this series is that it makes for interesting racing to the more competitive whilst giving the opportunity to the cruising sailor to venture out with family and friends.

Today, boats sail from Valletta’s Marsamxett to Mġarr, Gozo, and the racing for tomorrow and Sunday is planned for the channel between the two islands.

The organisers, Mediterranean Yacht Sales Ltd, said this year’s event, besides the regular racing series, will also include a Fleet Racing Challenge.

This challenge will be held tomorrow and the only racing for this day will take place on board six identical Beneteau First 21.7S boats (22 feet).

These boats have been chartered by the organisers and have been made available to Beneteau owners participating in the cup.

“Racing boats that are identical in every respect implies that one’s boat speed and finishing position boils down to the skill of the skipper and crew,” the organisers said.

They also confirmed that once again Medcomms Ltd will be the main sponsors of the event.

Also on board and co-main sponsors are Manoel Island Yacht Yard whose partnership in the Beneteau Cup coincides with their new corporate image.

David Mifsud, from Manoel Island Yacht Yard, said: “Beneteau is the only builder of sailing yachts that can boast such a special event in Malta. And with such a large number of participants, many of whom are our clients, we enjoy contributing to its success.”

The event will come to a close with a prize-giving ceremony on November 25 at the Royal Malta Yacht Club premises in Ta’ Xbiex.