Yachting Malta BSC International Regatta draws to a close

The Yachting Malta BSC International Regatta offered another challenging day for hosts Birzebbugia Sailing Club on the final day of the regatta, as weather conditions continued to make things difficult for the race committee led by Miguel Amaral.

The sea state outside the harbour was similar to that of the previous days.

Patchy wind conditions, with approximately just two knots of wind, made it a waiting game for all fleets.

A small sign of improved conditions was experienced later in the morning, but the hope of a race was short-lived as wind was back down to two knots.

It was only early in the afternoon that the fleets were able to launch and compete in one final race in Xrobb L-Għaġin.

In the Optimist class, Danyil Mykhailichenko, Birżebbugia Sailing Club, pipped Sunday’s Senior Class leader Erik Scheidt to the win with just a one-point advantage over the Lithuanian, who until Sunday had a three-point lead over the Ukrainian.

Malta’s Timmy Vassallo, finished Monday’s race in second place.

This meant Vassallo retained the third place earned on Sunday and could thus carry the Maltese flag on the lower step of the podium.

In the Cadet Class, Nathan Montebello, Birżebbugia Sailing Club, retained his lead from Sunday followed by Villiams Osipovs (FVR), whilst RMYC’s Ethan Kodjaazliev took third place.

Monday’s ILCA racing saw Benjamin Vassallo (MYSC) continue his consistent run from the weekend, to take the win of the day.

Laidon Buhagiar’s (BSC) second place Monday saw him edge past Katrina Micallef (RMYC) who ended Sunday’s run in third place.

Jake Mallia’s third place on Sunday afternoon, meant he was able to retain the second place overall gained on Sunday.
The ILCA 6 fleet on Sunday was dominated by host Club Birzebbugia’s female sailors Lacey Aquilina and Michela Mifsud who finished in first and second place respectively.

In the men’s division, Dimitrios Pipi Vertsonis (RMYC) placed third Monday to emerge as class winner with a two-point lead ahead of Matthew Flores (BSC).

Flores, who won three of Sunday’s four races and was leading the fleet, slipped to second place, two points behind Vertsonis.

Kurt Borg retained his overall third place to complete the class podium.

The Birzebbugia Sailing Club hosted a Prize Giving ceremony at the clubhouse in the presence of the Minister for Public Works and Planning Hon. Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and main sponsor Yachting Malta’s chairman Jonathan Borg, who remarked that the warmth of Malta’s hospitality made up for the cold weather experienced in the last couple of days.

He went on to express his pride in supporting international regattas like these that not only shine a light on Malta internationally but also provide development opportunities for Maltese sailors.

Prizes were handed out to the winners, by Robert Scheidt, five-times Olympic medallist who accompanied his son Erik who competed in the Optimist Senior Class, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi, Birzebbugia Mayor Scott Camilleri, and Yachting Malta chairman Jonathan Borg.

In his concluding remarks, Club Commodore Mario Aquilina, thanked all those involved in the organisation, particularly the volunteers.