Boats taking part in the Gozo Weekend Regatta, sponsored by International Yacht Paints.Boats taking part in the Gozo Weekend Regatta, sponsored by International Yacht Paints.

Ten yachts lined up to starters orders last Saturday to kick off the RMYC Gozo Weekend Regatta, sponsored by International Paints.

The sailors were greeted by a moderate ESE breeze as they made their way out of Marsamxett Harbour en route to the finish off Mġarr Harbour, taking in the Munxar Cardinal Mark on the way.

While Commanche Raider took line honours, Otra Vez immediately staked its claim on proceedings, winning the first race of the series on corrected time. The cruiser and doubled-handed classes followed suit with Xplane and Maltese Falcon II drawing first blood in their respective class.

Ideal conditions and some close racing characterised the day as the boat crews were greeted to pastizzi washed down with tons of cold beer and wine on board the ‘infamous’ barge laid on for the occasion.

Day two, it was back to the business of some serious racing in challenging conditions, with the breeze from the East now gusting up to 25 knots.

The racing committee courageously laid a course in the lee of Malta, allowing for four wind-ward/leeward races to be sailed for the racers and no fewer than three Comino roundings for the cruisers and double-handed classes.

While Otra Vez and Elusive shared the spoils, Commanche Raider again laid claim on the majority of the line honours. Otra Vez had no joy with their main sail in the third race and had to retire from the fourth.

It was one of those days with Elusive blowing their kite and August Rush losing their jib tack.

Day three, it was still all up for grabs in IRC 1, following Otra Vez’s mishap... but with the help of the onsite sailmaker, Otra Vez was good to go and that it did claiming another two firsts to wrap up the weekend.

Maltese Falcon II and Inspiration continued to dominate their double-handed class and IRC/ RMYC Cruiser Class respectively.

Again, thanks to the race committee’s flexibility, the dying wind conditions now a fickle eight knots from the northeast to north did not deter the sailors from another two close races for the IRC 1 class and a passage race home for the cruiser and double-handed classes to round up a very enjoyable weekend of racing.

Apart from showing their appreciation to the main sponsors, International Yacht Paints, the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) thanked the tireless efforts of its employees and volunteers as well as all the sailors for making it all come together.

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