Camilleri Marine Ragusa weekend a keen affair for RMYC crews

Sicily is always a favourite haunt of Maltese crews, who jump at any opportunity to take part in offshore races.

Making the most of the long Mnarja weekend, Maltese crews set sail early in the morning for the start of the Camilleri Marine Ragusa Weekend Regatta, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, with the assistance of the Porto Turistico Marina di Ragusa.

Offshore races are always a keen affair, with close-sailing action taking place in the heart of the Mediterranean. As wind conditions at the start of the race were light, the lighter boats made the most of this opportunity to gain a degree of advantage on the higher rated boats.

However, as the fleet progressed towards Ragusa and were out on open water, wind started picking up thus narrowing the gap. A wind shift resulted in most boats stopping or moving slowly; however wind pick up again to a constant speed allowing for the first boats to reach Ragusa at around 7.30pm.

Whilst in Sicily, Maltese boats took the opportunity to race against their Sicilian counterparts in the Trofeo Achille Boroli Challenge and the Hyblea Cup. Hot competition between Maltese and Sicilian crews ensured but it was Anton Calleja’s Lartista who beat off stiff competition to retain the winners’ trophy for the second year in a row.

A Prize Giving evening was later held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of Camilleri Marine representatives, crews and Club members. Prize winners were presented with trophies and a selection of sea safety and rescue related equipment which was generously donated by Camilleri Marine.

The club will now take a short break from racing which is set to return on the weekend of 8 September with the Ramla weekend regatta.