The Dutch Youth Regatta 2016, held over five days earlier this month, saw 704 sailors, 632 boats and 22 nations competing in Workum.
There were six different classes sparking a high level of competition as a team from the Malta Young Sailors Club (MYSC) flew the Maltese flag with positive results.
The team was composed of Craig Farrugia Vella (15 years), Victoria Schultheis (15), Antonia Schultheis (13) and Richard Schultheis (11).
They competed in the Optimist Class, the biggest of the classes – 401 sailors from 20 countries.
“The Dutch Youth Regatta is one of the biggest sailing events in Europe for many years now,” Maurizio Bencic, the Slovenian coach assisting the MYSC, said.
“Usually it’s well known for difficult conditions. This year was an exception with light winds and warm weather.”
Results in the Optimist Class were based on 13 races and two discards.
Richard Schultheis, who led the way for the first eight races, had to settle for second place eight points behind Swiss Max Wallenberg.
In the Benjamin Class (cadets), Schultheis won with a comfortable margin from second-placed Daniel Cante, of Slovenia.
The Malta flag shone all the way with a fourth placing overall to Victoria Schultheis, a ninth placing to Antonia Schultheis and 13th position to Farrugia Vella.
The Schultheis family, of German nationality, moved to Malta in 2011. Just a year later Victoria, Antonia and Richard, yet unfamiliar with sailing, joined the MYSC for their first taste of the water sport.
In a short spell, besides this success in the Dutch Youth Regatta, the Schultheis trio experienced other notable sailing achievements.
Richard is currently leading the national Optimist Class rankings.
“The club feels proud of being behind the success of the Schultheis sailors,” Jean Paul Fleri Soler, the club coach, said.
“Craig Farrugia Vella joined us two years ago and he’s also a fine prospect.
“Over the past two years we have been working closely with coach Maurizio Bencic. He has been travelling to Malta almost on a monthly basis to monitor our progress.
“Bencic and I will be working together at the World Champion-ships in Portugal next month. He will also be the coach for the Malta team during the European Championships in Italy this summer.”