Unica clinches Raymarine Double Handed Figure of Eight race by the breath of a whisker

Otra Vez crew’s attempt to retain the Double Handed trophy was thwarted by Jamie Sammut’s Unica who clinched the trophy by the breath of a whisker, with just one second separating the two boats at the finish line.

Thirteen boats, split into two Classes, were on the starting line of Saturday’s race, which began early in the morning to light winds which developed into stiffer conditions as the day progressed resulting in the fleet spreading out after rounding Filfla and a number of retirements by the time most of the fleet reached the North Comino Channel.

In IRC Class 1, battle for honours was fought between 2016 winner Otra Vez and Unica, with the latter crossing the line just a second ahead of Otra Vez. In IRC Class 2 Seawolf of Southampton emerged the clear winner.

Sean Borg and Paul Borg Cardona racing on the XP-44 Xpresso were first over the line, etching their name on the Challenge trophy in the process.

A prize giving evening was held in the presence of crews and club members. Prizes were presented to the winners by Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Godwin Zammit and Raymarine agents in Malta RLR Yachting Limited representative Christian Ripard.

Class 1 Results

1st Place –Unica- Jamie Sammut / John Cachia 2nd Place - Otra Vez- Aaron Gatt Floridia / Brian Flahive 3rd Place - Xpresso - Sean Borg / Paul Borg Cardona Class2 Results 1st Place - Seawolf of Southampton - Dave Latham / Tobias Roth 2nd Place - Manana - Peter Ellul Vincenti / Peter Delia