SB20 Malta Association kicks off 2019/2020 Season with a bang

Seven SB20, one design boats competed in a highly competitive weekend of racing. The close racing throughout the weekend meant that the weekend’s winner was decided during the last very last race, where contenders for the win had been whittled down to three boats.

Saturday’s racing featured a steady 18 knot south easterly wind, enough wind for the crews to enjoy exhilarating planing conditions. Three 30-minute races were held on Saturday, which saw places frequently switching during each race. Orange Marine – skippered by John Horn, won the first race, while closely challenged by Maltese Musketeers – skippered by Adrian Gauci Borda and Seriously Bonkers – skippered by Robert Ciantar. Seriously Bonkers won the following two races, again closely challenged by Orange Marine and Maltese Musketeers.  At the end of the first day, tired but thoroughly satisfied crews returned to the bar at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, with Seriously Bonkers celebrating the most points won on the first day of racing.

Sunday was a similar affair, with a further three 30-minute races taking place. Wind conditions on Sunday, again from the south east, were gusty and shifting. The mystic skill of reading the direction of the wind shifts across the water added an additional challenge to the day’s racing.  Credit goes to Maltese Musketeers for gaining firsts in the first two races, with Seriously Bonkers and Orange Marine, hot on his heels. After the fifth race Seriously Bonkers and Maltese Musketeers were tied on two wins apiece; the last race of the day would determine the weekend’s winner.  Fought inch by inch with ever changing positions mark after mark, it was Seriously Bonkers who got the upper hand and won the race, and the overall weekend by a mere one point.

At the end of Racing, Adrian Gauci Borda remarked “We had several teams competing; Grand Harbour Marina put in a team of local sailors and super yacht crews to challenge the local fleet.  This was their first outing and they did well. Another boat consisting of a mixed local and international crew chartered a boat, but unluckily they sustained some damage. Finally, we had a charter boat, crewed by enthusiasts who joined the fun”.

Gauci Borda continued to explain that this was the SB20 fleet’s third season in Malta, and it certainly has come a long way.  He concluded by expressing his gratitude towards the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Grand Harbour Marina, the SB20 Malta Class Association, the Malta Sailing Federation and all the volunteers that help out as Race Officers, Mark Layers and shore personnel – who without their invaluable support, this weekend’s racing would not have taken place.

The SB20 Malta Association announced that the next event will take place on the 5^th and 6^th October.  For further information the Association can be contacted via email on sb20malta@gmail.com, on mobile +356 99423740 or via their Facebook page.

Photo Credits: Emma Cassar / Christian Mangion