Dreamer Tech, skippered by Massimo C. Savoca, scorched through the finish line at Porto Piccolo in eight hours 37 minutes and 22 seconds flat, eclipsing Strait Dealer’s previous record of nine hours 42 minutes and 25 seconds for the Malta to Syracuse regatta by over an hour.

On corrected time, Oil Tanking Juno, from the Royal Malta Yacht Club, achieved an impressive result, taking much of the silverware home by winning the IRC class, the ORC class and overall.

The race was blessed with a west to northwest breeze that pushed the fleet along the Malta channel, allowing for the leading boats to reach Capo Passero well before sunset, and on to a downward run to round the second turning point at Murro Del Porco, followed by a short leg towards the finish line.

In the IRC class, Otra Vez, another local yacht, finished a respectable second and in ORC, Escape, another Maltese entry, claimed third place.

The quick passage enabled all the crews to secure their yachts to the pontoons and seek their favourite restaurant before closing time.

Previously, the race would even last until mid-morning of the next day.

Dreamer Tech has now established a higher challenge for any contender vying to beat the new record. But this is only speculation and should the favourable conditions present themselves next year, the record could well tumble again.

Prize giving was held at the Lega Navale Di Siracusa the following evening.