In spite of the demanding nature of short-handed racing, the PV-IES Double Handed Race, organised earlier this month by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, saw a strong fleet tackling the course.

Due to the light winds on the day, the Race Committee opted for a shortened course with crews sailing towards the Fairway Buoy before heading up north towards Comino and back to the finish line in Sliema.

The prevailing conditions made for a tight start to the race with little or no room for error and no clear favourite.

A light upwind to the Fairway Buoy split the fleet, leaving a fairly consistent gap between boats.

The gap was maintained until the south Comino Channel when Xpresso (Sean Borg) and Xpedite (Nils Lindemann) were first to exit the channel, triggering a hard-fought battle for first place.

Xpedite, also crewed by Timmy Camilleri, went on to seal a hard-earned race win.

Borg said experience was key.

“It was a very confusing wind which took two identical boats down racing for first place,” he said.

“Experience clinched it at the end of the day.”

“Double-handed racing is not for everyone, it requires more focus and synergy and less room for errors and constant communication. The competition bet-ween crews is very intense” Godwin Zammit, commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, reflected.

“The club tries to keep its racing calendar as varied as possible to meet our racing members’ expectations”.

A prize-giving evening was held on the terrace of the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of crews, representatives from Island Engineering Services, suppliers of PV-IES products, committee members and friends.

Prizes and PV-IES products, presented by Janice Borg, marketing executive at Island Engineering Services, were given to the winners in the various classes.

Results
IRC Class 1: 1. Xpedite (Nils Lindeman/Timmy Camilleri); 2. Xpresso (Sean W. Borg/Kevin Anastasi); 3. Otra Vez (Edward Gatt Floridia).
IRC Class 2: 1.Lartista (Anton Calleja/Renato Camilleri).