Malta witnessed a remarkable sporting achievement on Saturday when Jean Paul Fleri Soler, a 61-year-old veteran windsurfer, set a new Round Malta sailing record, completing the 98-kilometre circumnavigation in 3 hours, 45 minutes, and 18 seconds.
Fleri Soler set off at around 8.15am from St Paul’s Island, heading south in 13-knot southeasterly winds and a rough, confused sea state.
Conditions on the north side of the island made for slow progress as heavy seas pounded the board head-on.
Once past Rinella, speeds began to improve as the waves turned from head-on to following, giving the sailor much-needed momentum.
Rounding Filfla, however, proved challenging as the wind dropped almost completely.
Despite moving further offshore in search of stronger pressure, Fleri Soler spent more than 20 minutes off the foils in patchy air, struggling to make progress.
The breeze returned approaching Fomm ir-Riħ, but now shifted unfavourably, forcing a long and demanding upwind leg through the Comino Channel.
The north coast once again delivered rough seas, slowing progress for the final push home.
While the target time was around 3 hours 10 minutes, the difficult conditions ensured that the final time of 3:45:18 still stands as a new national record.
This latest success adds to a long list of achievements.
In 1984, Fleri Soler set the Malta–Sicily record, later winning the event three times. He also represented Malta at two Olympic Games, competing in Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992.
Reflecting on the achievement, Fleri Soler said: “Even though I have been preparing for this record attempt for the past few months, you never know what the weather is going to throw at you.
“You need to be ready for anything – including covering more distance than you think you will. Today was a true test, and I’m proud to have come through it with a new record for Malta. I hope this inspires the younger generation to challenge it.”
The record attempt also formed part of Fleri Soler’s ongoing training programme in preparation for the upcoming 2026 Foiling 100 race from Malta to Sicily, organised by the Malta Young Sailors Club.
With this new milestone, Fleri Soler also hopes to remind the older generation that age is no barrier to staying active and striving for excellence in sport.
A dedicated team assisted Fleri Soler throughout the attempt.
Paul Ellul, Ray Condachi, and Richard Geres provided invaluable support by accompanying him on a RIB provided by RLR Yachting. Ellul and Condachi also served as official timekeepers, recognised by the Malta Sailing Federation, and doubled as photographers, while Geres contributed with both on-the-water images and drone footage, offering a unique aerial perspective.
As a member of the Malta Young Sailors Club (MYSC), Fleri Soler also received assistance from MYSC during the record attempt, working in collaboration with the Malta Sailing Federation to ensure the event’s official recognition.
The record attempt is recognised under the Malta Time Challenge, an initiative supported by Yachting Malta, the Malta Sailing Federation, and the Malta Young Sailors Club, which invites individuals and teams using any sail-powered equipment to test themselves against the circumnavigation course.
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