Xpresso takes the lead in the third race of the RMYC Coastal Race Series

Another sizeable fleet took part in the third race of the Royal Malta Yacht Club Spring Coastal Series on Sunday morning. 

The short, 10-nautical mile course, took the fleet towards the Fairway Buoy before heading toward Għallis and back to Marsamxett to a finish at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

In what was described as breezy sailing conditions, the fleet experienced force four to five easterly, south easterly winds with a moderate to rough swell.

A sedate exit from Marsamxett Harbour mouth was in sharp contrast to the action just past the fairway buoy where crews were edging close to each other.

The first two boats to exit the harbour were the J92s – J-Lance and Pep, skippered by Kristian Borg Nicolas and Mark Camilleri respectively. 

Behind them Sean Borg’s Xpresso, Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton and the rest of the fleet scrambled to get a place in the front of the fleet aiming to take the lead.

The fleet making its way round the first mark, the Fairway Buoy, was not short of action, with Xpresso leading the way and Ton Ton, Comanche Raider III and J-Lance  following close by.

From then on Xpresso maintained its lead throughout to take line honours and their first win on corrected time, for the year. 

Ton Ton, who had been in their shadow for most of the race had to settle for second place with just 1 minute 23 seconds separating them from the Xp44. In third place was the Kristian Borg Nicolas’ J92, J-Lance.

“We did have a bit of a rusty start, mainly due to Xpresso being on the hard for two months.  With the crew not sailing for over two months, we found a little more wind than we had wished for but it was exhilarating to surf to the mark touching 13.2 knots,”  said Sean Borg.

Race Officer Peter Dimech, who was assisted by Luca Lacitignola, expressed his satisfaction at seeing another sizeable fleet racing out of Marsamxett Harbour.

Results

1. Xpresso (Sean Borg); 2. TonTon Laferla (Jonathan Gambin); 3. J-Lance (Kristian Borg Nicolas).