Unpredictable weather pushed crews to the limit inside Marsamxett Harbour last weekend as they competed in the second round of races from the 2016 Malta Sailing League.

Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the J70 Association, this year’s championship is turning out to be a real thriller.

Saturday saw six fast-paced races take place between the teams with the RMYC XP-Act crew, skippered by Josef Schultheis and Timmy Camilleri, emerging winners, closely followed by the MYSC Calypso team, captained by Benji Borg and Sebastian Ripard.

Sunday threw up some very difficult conditions out on the water as the strong winds generated frayed nerves but tighter competition.

RMYC Mapfre were forced to sit out the first race of the day after a torn spinnaker as a brush with the bastions for another crew heightened the tension.

With everything still at stake as the wind increased, teams scrambled to get an edge over their rivals, tacking rapidly and broaching, as they made sharp turns around the course.

Spectators on shore were treated to the sight of a three-yacht charge, virtually neck-and-neck down the length of the harbour.

In the second race of the day, a penalty was handed to XP-Act as they struggled with  Calypso for the lead.

However, the deteriorating weather conditions eventually proved too treacherous and sailing had to be called off.

XP-Act were declared winners of the International Yacht Paints Cup ahead of Calypso and Artie to close the gap at the top of the Sailing League standings.

With a third and final round of races to be held on May 7-8, there is still an opportunity for XP-Act to catch leaders Calypso, although the dynamic young RMYC team will surely not be giving up their top position without a fight.

The prize is a chance to compete in the International Sailing Champions League, with the winner claiming a place in the finals in Porto Cervo in September.

The runners-up will head to the  qualifiers in St Petersburg in August.

Sailing League standings
1. MYSC Calypso 19 points; 2. RMYC XP-Act 24; 3. RMYC Artie 30.

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