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Preparations for the Malta Knights Trophy (MKT) are in full swing with the regatta, the first of its kind to be staged in Malta, being launched tomorrow at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
The event, from September 5 to 15, promises to be a truly sailing bonanza as it will bring together boats of all categories – from offshore IRC and ORC to classics and one-design classes.
Discussions between the organisers, led by Curzio Merchiò, the chief executive of the Malta Knights Trophy, and the various local sailing clubs and authorities began several months ago while the first promotional event for the event was held during the Naval Academy Trophy in Livorno in April.
On that occasion, Tommaso Angelino, chairman of the MKT organising committee, Peter Dimech, the Racing Rear Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC), and Anna Rossi, president of the Malta Sailing Federation, gave a preview of the MKT and Mediterranean Village to a large audience.
“The Maltese authorities expressed a desire for the country to host an event similar to TAN (Trofeo Accademia Navale) which showcases boats of all classes, thus creating a great sailing festival in the Mediterranean,” Angelino said in a MKT statement.
“Thanks to the co-operation of the Maltese sailing clubs, the MKT will feature a series of races for boats, dinghies, offshore IRC and ORC while the Mediterranean Village will be located in Ta’ Xbiex, near the RMYC headquarters.”
Offshore IRC and ORC boats, classic yachts and one-designers will be berthed at the RMYC during the MKT, the optimists (juniors, cadets, open) will be based at the Malta Young Sailors Club, Lasers (standard, radial, 4.7) at the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club, and entries with a mixed Portsmouth Yardstick handicap (on corrected time) at the Vikings Sailing Club.
“The MKT project represents a huge challenge, one that will require a large organisation both on land and at sea,” the MKT organisers said.
“It’s a new initiative for Malta but we are confident that with the vast experience of the Naval Academy Trophy and City of Livorno and the close collaboration of the Maltese authorities, the Royal Malta Yacht Club and all the Maltese yacht harbours, we can host a successful event for all sailors who will have the opportunity to sample the warm hospitality of the Maltese people.
“Malta is a jewel in the middle of the Mediterranean and can become the destination for all sailing lovers.
“The MKT and Mediterranean Village, which are making news in the the world of international yachting, have what it takes to become an end-of-summer event for many competitors, a point of reference that will allow operators to annually demonstrate their potential and an attraction for the public.”
The Malta Knights Trophy is organised by Edysails Ltd in conjunction with the Maltese sailing clubs and under the auspices of the Malta Sailing Federation and Kunsill Malti għall-iSport.
For more information on the Malta Knights trophy, one may visit the event’s official website www.mktrophy.eu and the facebook page www.facebook.com/MaltaKnightsTrophy.