The first edition of the EurILCA Masters Series for 2026 was hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and once again attracted a strong and diverse international fleet, combining returning competitors with first-time entrants and a high level of experience, including recently elected ILCA president Mark Lyttle.
This blend of elite sailors and committed amateurs remains a defining feature of the series, enhancing both the quality of racing and the strong sense of community that surrounds it.
Racing got underway on Friday off Dragonara Point in St Julian’s, where competitors were immediately tested by demanding offshore conditions.
A strong and unstable westerly wind, gusting between 18 and 25 knots, combined with swells of up to two metres, delivered a physically and tactically challenging opening day.
Despite several retirements across the fleets, the Royal Malta Yacht Club Race Committee, under the direction of Martin Azzopardi, successfully completed two races to open the championship.
With the exposed sea state remaining unsettled on Saturday, the Race Committee made the call to bring the fleet inside Marsamxett Harbour.
While more sheltered, the harbour course still provided a stern test, with breezes ranging from 15 to 25 knots and constant shifts placing a premium on boat handling, balance and tactical discipline.
Two further races were completed, keeping the series on schedule and ensuring fair and competitive racing for the entire fleet.
The demanding conditions added an extra layer of intrigue to the championship, with consistency proving just as important as outright speed.
In the highly-competitive ILCA 6 Class, Niall Peelo (GBR) led after Friday’s opening races but slipped to third overall by Saturday afternoon, allowing Conor Barry (IRL) and Roel Ballieux (NED) to move into first and second place, respectively.
The ILCA 7 fleet also saw significant movement. Friday’s leaderboard was dominated by British sailors, with Mark Lyttle, Alan Davis and Tim Law occupying the top three positions.
However, Saturday’s racing reshuffled the order, with David Surkhov (UKR) and Tim Law (GBR) exchanging places, Surkhov ultimately securing third overall.
While the fleet was hoping for further racing – and the possibility of changes on the podium – Sunday’s deteriorating weather, with strong winds and unstable conditions, meant that no additional races could be safely held.
As a result, the championship was decided on the basis of the four races already completed.
“With another successful edition now complete, the EurILCA Masters once again demonstrated why Malta continues to be a preferred stop on the international Masters sailing calendar – combining competitive racing, professional race management and warm Mediterranean hospitality,” remarked Adrian Gauci Borda, the club’s Rear Commodore (Sailing)
This year marked the Royal Malta Yacht Club’s fifth time hosting the EurILCA Masters, a milestone made possible through the combined efforts of the Club and SailCoach’s Trevor Millar and Alex Denisiuc, whose continued support has been instrumental in building Malta’s standing within the international ILCA Masters circuit.
Once again, the event attracted a strong mix of returning competitors and first-time visitors, reaffirming the regatta’s popularity and Malta’s reputation as an attractive winter training and racing base, even when challenging weather adds to the test on the water.
Speaking during the Prize Giving ceremony, Club Commodore Mark Napier paid tribute to the efforts behind the event.
“I would like to sincerely thank our Race Committee, volunteers and safety teams who worked tirelessly throughout a very demanding weekend to ensure that racing could be delivered safely and fairly, despite the severe weather that affected Malta, as it did much of Europe,” Napier said.
“Their commitment is what makes events of this level possible, and we are also grateful to Yachting Malta for once again supporting the EurILCA Masters here in Malta.”
Yachting Malta Chairman, Chris Agius, highlighted Malta’s position on the international sporting calendar.
“Malta was the only location in Europe this weekend able to successfully deliver on-the-water competition, despite widespread adverse weather across the continent,” Agius said.
“We are proud to welcome international sailors to our shores and to provide them with high-quality racing and facilities. This is made possible through the outstanding efforts of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, together with the support of Yachting Malta, working in partnership to strengthen Malta’s profile as a leading hub for international sport and sailing.”
2026 EurILCA Masters Category Results
ILCA 6
ILCA 6 Apprentice Master
1. Jonathan Cully
ILCA 6 Master
1. Conor Barry
ILCA 6 Grand Master
1. Freek de Miranda; 2. Per Ernfors; 3. Aleksandar Lozajic.
ILCA 6 Great Grand Master
1st Place – Roel Ballieux
ILCA 6 Legend
1st Place – Theo van Hilten
ILCA 7
ILCA 7 Apprentice Master
1. Max Moldovan
ILCA 7 Master
1. David Surkov
ILCA 7 Grand Master
1. Mark Lyttle; 2. Anders Nilsson; 3. Conrad Simpson.
ILCA 7 Great Grand Master
1. Alan Davies; 2. Tim Law; 3. Roberto Bini
