The fleet race towards the finish at the Mapfre Euromed Regatta.
Light wind conditions disrupt Mapfre Euromed International Championship programme
The second day of the Mapfre Euromed Regatta caused frustration amongst the fleet due to the lack of sufficient wind required for racing and causing disruption on Sunday’s schedule.
Sixteen countries represented by 200 sailors were expected to progress with three races planned for the day however the light wind conditions prevented any racing in the Optimist fleet, in spite of heading out to the course, an hour later than previously planned.
Their patience was not rewarded and a decision was taken to bring the fleet back to base.
A windshift from the North West to the North East enabled the ILCA 4 and ICLA 6 fleets to manage one race in the afternoon.
With the wind picking up to the minimum five knots wind speed target required to start a race, the fleets were able to stretch the limit of the lower end of wind conditions, which for a short period of time reached six knots before eventually dying down to four knots.
Racing was highly tactical, due to the light and patchy wind, making each decision key to achieving a good result. In the ILCA 4 Class, Benjamin Vassallo in spite of placing third maintained his lead, with eight points. Sunday’s race winner Jake Mallia, went up a place in the provisional leaderboard with eleven points, whilst Bulgarian Mariyan Shangov, slipped down to third place.
Malta is also well represented in the ILCA 6 Class. Places have shifted on the leaderboard from yesterday, with Matthew Flores now provisionally leads in first place, three points ahead of Jean Paul Zahra and Lacey Aquilina – both having 18 points. Notably Aquilina managed to edge past regatta favourite Irene De Tomás Perelló, who now has slipped to fourth place.
Racing will continue on Monday from 10.00am, with wind conditions forecasted to be better, hosts Malta Young Sailors Club hope to make up for Sunday’s outcome.
The Mapfre Euromed International Championships are being hosted by Malta Young Sailors Club under the auspices of the Malta Sailing Federation. The Championships are supported by Mapfre Middlesea, Yachting Malta, Zhik, Greens Supermarket, S&D Yachting, Kellog’s and Farsons.
