Birzebbuga Bay saw some fine sailing last weekend as 40 Optimists, Lasers and windsurfers were vying for precious ranking points during the St Peter's Regatta.

The event got off to a slow start with the forecast three to four knots wind failing to materialise. Principal Race Officer Peter Dimech is to be commended for managing to set two ideal courses in the light and notoriously variable winds on Day One.

At the end of a long and frustrating day it was not just the usual faces heading the results table.

In Radials, Zak Borg managed a first and second place while Liz Apap Bologna managed a creditable third. In the Laser standard, Warren Muscat provided the shock result of the day with a first and third placing.

Day Two dawned with a breeze that grew steadily in strength to over 20 knots and provided tough conditions for the lightweights and those not in their best form.

This time, Dimech laid a windward course. With predictable wind corridors it was a game of strategy tactics and skill that brought out the best in each sailor.

Mario Aquilina, Per Sahlberg and Peter Valentino sailed consistently to finish first, second and third in all four races with Valentino taking second place overall from Sahlberg due to the latter's defaults on Day One.

Borg failed to keep up his previous day's performances but David Dalli, after an initial retirement, had an outstanding day and with three solid outings managed to wrest third place overall from Alfred Fenech.

Windsurfers, for whom Saturday's conditions had been particularly dreary, enjoyed Day Two thoroughly. Young Matthew Fleri Soler showed his father that he has learnt a trick or two and left him in his wake to finish second behind Andrew Wilson.

In Optimists, participants found the strong winds particularly hard going, the most notably affected being Ella Fleri Soler who in the light airs on Saturday had been occupying joint second position overall.

Karl Cremona and William Camilleri dominated in different conditions to finish first and second overall.

The weekend was not short of the usual protest hearings, ably chaired by Jovin Rausi.

Results - Top three

Laser Standard: 1. Mario Aquilina; 2. Peter Valentino; 3. Per Sahlberg.

Laser Radial: 1. Simon Aquilina; 2. Zak Borg; 3. David Dalli.

Windsurfers: 1. Andrew Wilson; 2 Matthew Fleri Soler; 3. Mark Fleri Soler.

Optimist Seniors: 1 Karl Cremona; 2. William Camilleri; 3 Richard Apap Bologna.

Optimist Juniors: 1 Sean Borg; 2. Gabriel Pace; 3. Ella Fleri Soler.