Sailing has always delivered great results for Maltese sport in different levels over the years.
Our sailors are now leaving a good impression in most of the races they’re taking part in and the list of successes also includes a string of medals on the international scene, the latest being a podium place in a major continental championship for youths.
That breakthrough was ac-hieved late last month when Victoria Schulteis won a bronze medal at the Optimist European Championships which were held in Pwllheli, Wales.
The 13-year-old, a Malta Young Sailors Club representative, finished with 76 series points to place behind gold medallist Julia Minaha Delhom, of Spain, who topped the leaderboard with 33 points, and Greece’s Ariadni Paraskevi Spanaki, 49.
Schulteis’s third placing eclipses the previous best showing in these championships achieved by Benji Borg. He was fifth in Split, in 2005.
Coach Jean Paul Fleri Soler described Schulteis’s medal as truly remarkable for a country of our size and with limited resources compared to other European nations in the sport.
“I don’t think many people realise the scale of Victoria’s result in winning a bronze medal in these Europeans for Optimist racing,” Fleri Soler said.
“She was up against some of the best sailors on our continent but showed what a great talent she is by overcoming the diverse weather conditions throughout the competition to return home with an historic medal. It was truly an exceptional result.”
Fleri Soler attributed Schulteis’s impressive showing in Wales to sound preparation and 100 per cent commitment.
“We started almost a year before the championships,” Fleri Soler, who represented Malta in two Olympic Games, said.
“The Young Sailors Club invited Maurizio Bencic, the national coach of Austria, to help us set up a training programme for our team ahead of the trip to Pwllheli.
“He also took Victoria and her brother and sister, Richard and Antonia, for a training camp abroad to get more experience ahead of the championships.”
“The Schulteis siblings are blessed to come from a family that supports them a lot in their sailing careers,” Fleri Soler added.
“When school was over they left Malta to compete in various Optimist regattas in different countries to continue their build-up to the European Championships.
“All three also took part in the British Nationals and Richard won the boys’ division while Victoria placed fifth in her category.”
Meanwhile, the championships in Pwllheli attracted over 200 sailors who were split into various divisions.
The boys’ championship comprised three fleets – gold, silver and bronze – according to positions after the opening five races.
The girls competed in gold and silver fleets only.
Fleri Soler’s group was composed of eight sailors, all from the Malta Young Sailors Club.
Besides Victoria Schulteis, the team also included Richard and Antonia Schulteis who competed in the silver fleet and placed third and 25th respectively.
Matthew Micallef and Jake Satariano both made it to the gold fleet with the former finishing 29th and Satariano 48th.
Gabriella Mifsud raced in the silver fleet and placed 38th as Lucas Le Gault was classified 18th in overall bronze fleet with Kane Seychell 25th.
Fleri Soler said the champion-ships were characterised by unstable conditions... an added challenge to the young contenders.
Varying tactics
“The weather changed constantly on every day of racing so our sailors had to modify tactics several times. They were all alert not to let the currents and high and low tides hinder their race,” Fleri Soler said.
“Victoria performs best in light conditions. So, when we had strong winds she was a little hesitant but she knew that medals at these championships are not won over one or two races but on who shows most consistency.
“I think she handled the situation quite effectively and when the last day of racing came and the conditions suited her best, she just stayed focused not to lose her third position.”
Fleri Soler is now banking on his sailors’ fine showing in Wales to convince the authorities to assist the Malta Sailing Association and give them all that is required to host the European Championships here in future.
“For a start, having our own premises is crucial to take our sport to a higher level,” Fleri Soler explained.
“Our sailors have done the country proud with their achievements in different categories and races along the years but we’re still waiting to have our own racing headquarters.
“We need a place where we can meet and discuss our plans not only to improve techniques but also to have a better chance of attracting international events and foreign teams for training camps.
“In Malta we are blessed with a generally mild climate, ideal conditions that make our country a perfect venue for such activities.”
Meanwhile, Fleri Soler confirmed that due to the lack of facilities, the sailing federation reluctantly had to pass up the opportunity to host the Optimist European Championships.
“During the races in Wales, officials from the International Optimist Dinghy Association had talks with Malta Sailing Federation president Anna Rossi and suggested Malta as a host venue for the next championships,” Fleri Soler revealed.
“Unfortunately, she was unable to accept their proposal as at present we do not have the facilities required to run these champion-ships at the level required.
“That was a missed opportunity for Maltese sailing and the country as well.
“Our hope is that things will change in the near future and our administrators and sailors will be in a better position to fulfil their potential.”