Sicily is always a favourite hauntof Maltese crews, who jump at any opportunity to take part in offshoreraces.  Making the most of the longMnarja weekend, Maltese crews set sail early in the morning for the start ofthe Camilleri Marine Ragusa Weekend Regatta, organised by the Royal Malta YachtClub, with the assistance of the Porto Turistico Marina di Ragusa.

Offshore races are always a keenaffair, with close-sailing action taking place in the heart of theMediterranean. As wind conditions at the start of the race were light, thelighter boats made the most of this opportunity to gain a degree of advantageon the higher rated boats.  However, asthe fleet progressed towards Ragusa and were out on open water, wind startedpicking up thus narrowing the gap.  Awind shift resulted in most boats stopping or moving slowly however wind pickup again to a constant speed allowing for the first boats to reach Ragusa ataround 19:30hrs.

Whilst in Sicily Maltese boats tookthe opportunity to race against their Sicilian counterparts in the TrofeoAchille Boroli Challenge and the Hyblea Cup. Hot competition between Malteseand Sicilian crews ensured but it was Anton Calleja’s Lartista who beat offstiff competition to retain the winners’ trophy for the second year in a row.

Results

A Prize Giving Evening was later heldat the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of Camilleri Marinerepresentatives, crews and Cub Members.   Prize Winners were presented with trophies anda selection of sea safety and related equipment which was generously donated byCamilleri Marine.

The Club will now take a shortbreak from racing which is set to return on the weekend of the 8thSeptember with the Bay Weekend Regatta.

More information can be found on www.rmyc.org