Watch: Young sailors battle at Yachting Malta BSC Regatta

The first edition of the Yachting Malta BSC Regatta has been successfully concluded at Birżebbuġa. This is a new yearly international event by Birżebbuġa Sailing Club Freeport that is aimed at providing racing experience for all local sailors by attracting overseas sailors to our country.

The event took place over three days from February 13 and 15 in predominantly strong wind conditions. These challenging conditions were handled excellently by the organising team of Birżebbuġa Sailing Club who were still able to deliver a series of seven races for the participating sailors.

The fleet consisted of Optimist, Laser, Feva dinghies hailing from eight different countries.

On Saturday, three races where held in light to medium winds off Delimara in an excellently organised course that set a scenario for tight racing in all the fleets.

On Sunday and Monday, twp races per day were held in strong winds in Marsaxlokk bay due to heavy swell outside of port.

In the Optimist Senior Class, Timmy Vassallo took the honours ahead of Ryder Croft and Jack Gabriele while Emily Fenech, Daniela Gocheva and Katrina Micallef completed the podium of the girls Open category.

In the Cadet category, Isaac Azzopardi placed first followed by Luca Schembri Meli and Corey Joyce.

Lisa Aquilina Trigona topped the novice category ahea of Ava Calafiore Heikkila and Ethan Portelli.

In the Feva Class double handed class, Danjel Fenech and Dasha Attard placed first.

Bo Zang/ Max Obolensky and Jack Ferry/Alfonso Southino completed the podium.

The Laser class saw very tight racing with 26 boats in total.

In the Laser 4.7, Shaun Aquilina topped the leaderboard ahead of Kurt Borg while Jake Mallia filled the lower step on the podium.

Michela Mizzi took the honours in the Laser 4.7 Girls category, with the runners-up spot going to Mia Busuttil while Lara Merten placed third.

In the Laser Radial Class, Dimitris Vertsonis came first, followed by Matthew Flores and Lacey Aquilina.

In a statement, the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club Freeport thanked title sponsors Yachting Malta Ltd for the full support to hold this event and the main sponsor of the club Malta Freeport for their ongoing backing.

“The club also thanks, Transport Malta, Birżebbuġa Local Council and Malta Police for their collaboration and support,” the statement concluded.