The Royal Malta Yacht Club launched its 2024 calendar of events with the hosting of the EurILCA Masters Series last week.
The EurILCA Master Series is a series of regattas run throughout the year in various stunning venues across Europe and is open to sailors who attain the age of 30 in 2024.
This is the fourth time the RMYC hosted the first regatta of the 2024 edition and attracted fierce competition on the water. However, it is known for a great apres-sail social scene, making it an extremely popular on the European sailing calendar.
Whilst the first day of racing was marked with dismal weather and steady downpours, the two fleets – ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 were able to fit in three races.
The second day saw a north-westerly breeze hit the racecourse, and a moderate swell proved to be challenging for the fleet but nonetheless they were able undertake three races.
The final day of race saw bright sunny weather, however, the wind started to diminish as the morning wore on.
A considerable wind-shift between the first and second race meant that the Race Committee had to realign the course between the first and second race.
The ILCA 6 Class saw Ian Jones (Great Britain) rule throughout having produced very consistent results. The win was determined in the final day of racing since only a point separated him last year’s class winner Niall Peelo (Great Britain).
In the end Jones prevailed to win five points ahead of Peelo. In third place was another Briton, Max Hunt.
The winner of the ILCA 7 Class was Mark Lyttle (Great Britain) who had a strong run to keep a steady gap in front of fellow compatriot Alan Davis and Andrey Malygin (Moldova).
Racing dynamics took an unexpected turn on the final day.
Up until the second day, Davis had maintained a lead over Malygin. However, the spectacle unfolded on the ultimate day of competition, where the Moldovan showcased his prowess by securing a third-place finish in the first race and clinching first in the subsequent one.
This result propelled Malygin to seize second place, just two points ahead of Davis. The action not only added a thrilling edge to the races but also dashed Great Britain’s aspirations for a complete country podium.
“We were thrilled to welcome another international fleet to Malta and to the Royal Malta Yacht Club. It was great to see familiar faces making a welcome return to our shores as well as seeing many new faces who promised to return to Malta in the very near future,” said David Cremona, Commodore Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Prizes were given to the winners during a dinner hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of David Cremona, RMYC Commodore, Michael Mifsud, CEO – Yachting Malta and Trevor Millar, Sailcoach Founder.
In a statement, the Royal Malta Yacht Club expressed its gratitude to all involved, particularly the Race Committee which was led by race officer Martin Azzopardi and assisted by Neity Maddock and Michael Mifsud, Sailcoach and Yachting Malta Ltd who supported the event.
RESULTS
ILCA 6
OVERALL STANDINGS: 1. Mark Lyttle (Great Britain); 2. Andrei Malygin (Moldova); 3. Alan Davis (Great Britain).
CATEGORY PRIZES
Apprentice: Howard Leoto (South Africa).
Master: Niall Peelo (Great Britain)
Grand Master (woman) Aisling Bowman (Ireland)
Grand Master Male: 1. Ian Jones (Great Britain); Olivier Erena (France).
Great: Max Hunt (Great Britain)
Legend: Poopy Marion (France)
ILCA 7
OVERALL: 1. Ian Jones (Great Britain); 2. Niall Peelo (Great Britain); 3. Max Hunt (Great Britain).
CATEGORY PRIZES
Master: 1. Andrey Malygin (Moldova) 2. Francesco Fabiani (Switzerland); 3. David Surkov (Ukraine).
Apprentice: Zoltan Kovacs (Hungary).
Grand Master: 1. Mark Lyttle (Great Britain); 2. Alan Davis (Great Britain); 3. Barend Binkhorst (Netherlands).
Great Grand Master: Peter Sherwin (Great Britain).
