Calypso wins BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta

November 20, 2021
Maria Vella-Galea

The new J99 Calypso, skippered by Sebastian Ripard, etched its name on the BOV Gozo Regatta trophy following its successful showing last weekend.

Hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club the BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta, welcomed a strong fleet for a much-awaited weekend of competitive sailing.

As is customary, the Regatta kicked off with a passage race to Gozo on Friday afternoon. Race Officer Peter Dimech opted for two separate starts for the Racing and Cruising Classes. The light winds on the day made it for quite an uneventful start with Calypso taking the lead in the Racing Class and Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration leading the Cruisers’ fleet.

Hopes for morning sailing on Saturday were dashed when lighter winds resulted in racing being called off. Wind changes in the afternoon made it just possible to have round the cans races between Ħondoq Bay and the West Cardinal Mark for the Racing Classes whilst a circuit round Comino was planned for the Cruising Classes. The light winds made it for a slow race that saw the two-lap course for Races being reduced to one lap. This decision timed in well with the finish for the Cruising Class.

Sunday morning welcomed some much-awaited wind from the East allowing for a two-lap, one-mile course. With all boats raring to go and longing for some adrenaline-pumping action, the morning was not short of action with some shouting matches ensuing. Pushing hard at the line meant that some very near misses between the racing and cruising classes.

The weekend came to an end with a passage race to Marsamxett and finish at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. First to cross the line was Xpresso, with most of the fleet trickling in shortly after.

Commenting after the end of the race Calypso skipper Sebastian Ripard enthused about the fun weekend despite light weather conditions. Close racing combined with a nice mix of coastal and round the cans racing topped off with happy hour at Gleneagles made for a good time. In agreement was Sean Borg who, after working through the night to get the boat race-ready, found that the light conditions suited Xpresso. Third-placed Vivace enjoyed the third day the most, having experienced the most action-packed racing with all the fleet fighting for the top spot.

“Although the weather did not favour hard and fast racing, we did catch a bit of a break on Saturday afternoon. The Race Committee boat was not short of near misses by the fleet vying hard for a good position. All in all it was a successful event. Thank you goes to Adrian Gauci Borda and Luca Lacitignola, Edgar Warrington, Alana Meadows, and Josella Catalogna for their support in Race Management duties. Most of all thank you to Bank of Valletta for their ongoing support.” commented Race Officer and Rear Commodore (Sailing) Peter Dimech.

Charles Azzopardi, Head CSR and Communication at Bank of Valletta in the presence of RMYC Commodore David Cremona presented the BOV Gozo Regatta Trophy to the winners. The BOV Gozo Regatta Forms an integral part of Bank of Valletta ESG Commitments towards Good Health and Well Being.