The enthusiasm and excitement so evident during last month’s Rolex Middle Sea Race spilled into November with 22 boats taking part in the BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta to establish a new record in entries.

The regatta consisted of a racing programme starting with a passage race between Malta and Gozo on Friday, a series of windward-leeward races close to Gozo, two short, coastal races for cruising and double-handed classes on the Saturday and a passage race back to Marsamxett on Sunday.

From the start, recent Rolex MSR protagonists Isomat Unica and Elusive II BOV raced close to each other and consistently swapped the lead.

Races on Friday and Saturday ended up in a tie, making the final race on Sunday decisive for the two boats.

In the end, Isomat Unica, skippered by Jamie Sammut, won the regatta on corrected time.

“The BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta met our expectations,” Sammut was quoted as saying at the end of the race.

“We raced in generally perfect conditions, with some serious challenges posed by fellow competitors on Elusive II BOV. This, of course, made the race more exciting for us.

“However this regatta is not just about racing but also about socialising. We all look forward to the evening’s events, where we can discuss the day’s races in a relaxed manner.”

Stanley Borg’s XC45 Xplane won the Cruisers Class followed by Sandro Musu’s team on Aziza.

Now firmly established on the Royal Malta Yacht Club calendar, the BOV Gozo Regatta is popular among families and friends of those taking part. As has become customary, a ‘happy hour’ was held once all boats were back.

“Congratulations to Unica and its crew for being crowned overall winners of the BOV Gozo Regatta as well as to all others who participated in this weekend of sailing,” BOV Gozo regional manager Horace Laudi said while presenting the trophy to skipper Sammut.

“We are glad to have once again collaborated with the Royal Malta Yacht Club in a weekend of healthy competition as well as good camaraderie among participants.”