The Malta Young Sailors Club’s Foundation Regatta was held recently in St Paul’s Bay. The event was sponsored by Gauci Borda Ltd, suppliers of Gill ultra-technical sailing clothing.

Attracting no fewer than 32 Optimist and Laser sailors, the regatta turned out to be an exciting appointment on the ever-growing ranking calendar.

Six races were held over two days.

On the first day, the prevailing easterly wind was quite strong only to calm down completely the next day, providing very light and shifty wind gusts from the south east.

With such variable conditions, choice of the starting line position, and, further still, decision of when to tack, was indeed a difficult task for all.

Decisions taken by the Race Committee were also quite brave since setting the course in such conditions was not easy.

“Watching these young sailors constantly looking out for the next wind shift while trimming their sail and keeping the boat speed up was indeed admirable,” said Myra Gauci Borda during the presentations ceremony.

Zachary Zammit was the winner of the Foundation Day Regatta shield. A special prize was also given to seven-year-old Richard Schultheis who, despite being the youngest sailor in the fleet, showed exemplary sportsmanship.

Tony Muscat, Malta Young Sailors Club Commodore, thanked sponsors Gauci Borda Ltd “for pulling the same rope and giving Malta’s young sailors a healthy weekend afloat”.

Results

Open Class: 1. Zachary Zammit, 2. Craig Farrugia Vella, 3. Francesca Zammit.

Cadets: 1. Jake Satariano, 2. Matthew Bugeja, 3. Lacey Aquilina.

Novices: 1. Victoria Schultheis, 2. Harry Parnis England, 3. Richard Schultheis.

Laser 4.7: 1. Ella Fleri Soler, 2. Justin Busuttil, 3. Karl Miggiani.