The Crewsaver Regatta got underway on Friday, May 23 with the fleet of keel boats, featuring a variety of entries including the recently-launched J-70 Class, racing just off the Sliema seafront.

Racing was close as light winds prevailed throughout the first race of the regatta.

Juno and Unica battled it out, switching leads, but ultimately Juno claimed first place in the racer division. In the cruiser section, first place went to X-plane.

Saturday brought on a strong SE with choppy seas, causing some difficulties to the course-laying team. However, thanks to an all-round effort, the course was set, allowing for two races to be sailed.

Juno stayed in form as they dominated the race while Unica were hit by two spinnaker mishaps which saw its crew doing their utmost to at least save one from total failure.

The J-70 fleet sailed their upwind legs against a steep chop, only to be rewarded as they rounded the windward mark and roared back downwind, the crews beaming with the widest smiles of the entire regatta.

In the cruising class, Allegra prevailed in both races.

Allegra is a Beneteau 47.7 with a fairly novice crew to offshore racing, so this result was a very rewarding one for the team, especially since the conditions were not for the faint-hearted.

In the optimist class, the young sailors gave it their best and results, with a three-way tie for second place, were as follows:

Open Division: 1. Craig Farrugia Vella; 2. Matthew Micallef; 3. Timo Bonnici.

Cadet Division: 1. Richard Schulteis; 2. Luke Rausi; 3. Neil Farrugia Vella.

Novice Division: 1. Saul Vassallo; 2. Katryna Vassallo; 3. Daniele Valletta.

Laser 4.7 Class: 1. Greg Mifsud; 2. Rebecca Briffa; 3. Gary Mercieca.

On Day Three of the regatta, all racing was cancelled due to the rough seas which made course-laying virtually impossible.

On a brighter note, the prize-giving provided for some interesting surprises including Crewsaver kits which will come handy during the sailing season.