The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) was buzzing with activity earlier this month as sailors of all ages took part in the 2013 SLAM Regatta.
This annual event consisted of two inshore races, one series being for keelboats, under the IRC rating system, and the other for small dinghy classes – the Optimists.
The IRC fleet got into the action Friday afternoon in light winds. The race, however, had to be shortened by the Race Officer to ensure that all boats could complete the course in time.
The next day, the breeze was steadier and the event took off in earnest as the numerous Optimist dinghies launched from the club slipway and headed for their race area in the waters just outside Grand Harbour.
The keen, young sailors in their boats produced good competition on the water and completed a number of races that day.
Meanwhile, the IRC class boats also had a good day’s racing.
In fact, skippers were able to complete three windward leeward races off the Sliema coast.
As expected, the wind continued to strengthen on Day Three of the regatta, reaching Force 6 at times but it was not too strong for the IRC fleet and another three races were held.
After seven races, it was Lee Satariano’s Artie RTFX, co-skippered by Christian and Sebastian Ripard, who was the overall winner in Racer Class 1 while Ray Schembri’s Sailaway was first in Racer Class 2.
In those rough conditions, the Optimist classes had their races in the more sheltered waters of Sliema Creek where they provided a great spectacle to those watching from the shoreline.
Zak Zammit was the winner in the Open Class while Jake Satariano was first in Cadets and Victoria Schulteis won the Novices.
Prizes were awarded to the winners at the club in Ta’ Xbiex soon after the end of the third day’s racing.
Regatta results
IRC Racer Class 1: 1. Artie RTFX; 2. Juno 3; GasanMamo Comanche Raider II.
IRC Racer Class 2: 1. Sailaway; 2. Inspiration.
Optimist Open Class: 1. Zak Zammit; 2. Matthew Micallef; 3. Timo Bonnici.
Optimist Cadet Class: 1. Jake Satariano; 2. Lacy Aquilina.
Optimist Novice Class: 1. Victoria Schulteis; 2. Richard Schulteis; 3. Patrice Pace.