155 entries at Malta Sailing National Championships

Birżebbuġa Sailing Club hosted the Malta Sailing Federation’s National Championships from November 1 to 3, attracting a competitive fleet of 115 boats, including international entries.

The event featured races in the Optimist, Laser, Topper, RS Feva, 420, and Miracle classes, with the Miracle class races held earlier in September.

This regatta also welcomed sailors from Poland, Ukraine, Austria, Switzerland, Macedonia and China. Sailors faced light and variable winds throughout the competition, requiring precision, focus, and exceptional boat-handling skills.

In the Optimist Open Class, Nathan Montebello of Birżebbuġa Sailing Club claimed the top spot, earning both the national champion title and the Junior Helmsman of the Year award.

Fellow club member Isaac Azzopardi secured second place, while Julia Borg from Malta Young Sailors Club was the highest-placed female sailor.

In the ILCA class, Timmy Vassallo from Malta Young Sailors Club defended his title in the ILCA4 category, followed by Kaine Muscat from Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Emily Fenech of Birżebbuġa Sailing Club was the top female sailor in the category.

Katrina Micallef, from Royal Malta Yacht Club, won the ILCA6 category, finishing as the first female in her division.

The Topper class saw Benjamin Attard of Vikings Sailing Club take first place, with team-mate Aneese Bugeja finishing second.

The RS Feva class was won by Andre Fenech and Nathan Buttigieg Gili, the 420 class by Jacob Azzopardi and Nicolai Bartolo, and the Miracle Dinghy class by Pierre Mifsud and Andrew Mifsud.