The Royal Malta Yacht Club successfully organised a very healthy and varied fleet of 18 yachts which competed in the second successive BMW weekend regatta recently held in Gozo.
Generally, this Gozo regatta manages to attract some of the best local boats around and this regatta was no exception especcially when you consider that the main overall prize is a trip to represent the RMYC and Malta in a BMW Word Championship match racing event to be held in Dubai in 2008.
Out and out race boats such as Belgian Roaring 40, Strait Dealer and Kerisma tried their hardest to claim the top position on the podium. The fleet was equally divided into three classes, two IRC and a cruiser class. As usual to our local racing, the weather played an important role. The coastal race from the RMYC to Mgarr Harbour was enjoyed by all. Sailors enjoyed a 30 knot downwind run towards Gozo in which David Franks on board Strait Dealer (J-125), managed to finish in under one and a half hours to claim first blood.. Blue Fin, a Bavaria 36, of Edward Gatt Floridia, dominated IRC Class 2 whilst Flying Colours, another Bavaria, of Anthony Camilleri claimed the cruiser class.
A light and shifty round Comino race on Saturday made it difficult for all competitors. Martin Scicluna on board AirMalta Maltese Falcon (Beneteau 40.7) claimed Class 1, whilst Ray Schembri on Sailaway (Elan38) sailed a perfect race to rightfully claim IRC 2. James Grech on Marial was first in the cruiser class.
The final passage race back to the RMYC on Sunday morning was the decisive race for all divisions. Sonke Stein had the better of the race boats to claim IRC 1 and won this race convincingly together with the overall regatta. Mischief managed to win IRC 2 on Sunday, but Edward Gatt Floridia's Bavaria had the better over the Meachams over the weekend and rightfully claimed IRC 2 overall, whilst the cruiser class was won by James Grech on board Marial. The RMYC also organised a dinner at Sea View Restaurant in Mgarr Harbour on Friday evening together with a happy hour at Glen Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday evening, a lasvish reception was organised for RMYC members and BMW guests at the RMYC. During the Prize Giving ceremony Mr Lennard Pall and Mr Kenneth Mizzi thanked Georges Bonello DuPuis, as the Commodore of the RMYC, for organising such a great event. The Commodore presented Mr Pal with a token of appreciation for BMW's support to the RMYC. Prizes were awarded to all the class winners whilst Sonke Stein (Kerisma) and his crew were presented with details of their trip to Dubai.
A range of BMW cars were placed on Couvre Port for all to admire.