Yachting Malta Awards nominees for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Yachting’unveiled

Malta’s location in the heart of the Mediterranean has always played a key role as a sea faring nation. In recent years, Malta’s maritime pursuits have seen the country’s yachting activity grow through the development of sector from a sport and industry perspective.

This growth was made possible through the passion, tireless energy and expertise that a number of individuals, clubs and organisations have contributed over a stretch of time. The success of the sport and industry is a testimonyof the efforts made by these individuals. Yachting Malta felt that the time was ripe to recognise and give tribute to such individuals.

The Yachting Malta Awards, launched in December 2016, were designed to acknowledge these efforts and the general public was invited to submit nominations.

“Yachting Malta felt that it was appropriate to honour and celebrate the outstanding and lifetime contributions of key stakeholders in sport and industry through the first edition of the Yachting Malta Awards – their efforts have certainly made an impact on what has become a flourishing sector” explained Wilfrid Buttigieg, CEO Yachting Malta. “Reading through the wide spectrum of nominations is not only inspiring but also a powerful reminder of the efforts and challenges that such individuals embarked upon to bring the industry and sport to be what it is today and as a basis for future growth.”

2017 Yachting Malta Award nominees

To date, the nominees vying for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Yachting’ award are:

Kurt Arrigo - International Award Winning Photographer

Teddie Borg – Sailing Media Pioneer

Aaron Ciantar - Four-time Powerboat World Champion

Robert Corcoran - Luxury Boat Captain & Yachting in Malta Promoter

Gino Cutajar - President of the Super Yacht Industry Network (Malta)

Roland Darmanin Kissaun - Yachting Industry Pioneer (1970’s)

Joe Degabriele – Super Yacht Industry Expert

Jean Paul Fleri Soler - National Sailing Coach

Malcolm Lowell - Entrepreneur & key supporter of the Rolex Middle Sea Race

Arthur Podesta - Past Commodore Royal Malta Yacht Club, Skilled Yachtsman

Gerald Portanier - Commodore, Vikings Sailing Club

Christian Ripard – Skilled International Yachtsman

John Ripard - Yachtsman, International Judge, co-founder of Rolex Middle Sea Race

Paul Ripard - Middle Sea Race Co- Founder, Olympian & Yachting Entrepreneur

Anna Rossi - President, Malta Sailing Federation

Lee Satariano – Yachtsman, Rolex Middle Sea Race

Wilfred Sultana - Journalist, Publisher and Events Organiser

The nominations are currently being vetted by the Yachting Malta Board of Directors. The winners of the first Yachting Malta Awards will be announced during a gala evening to be held on Friday 17th February at the Westin Dragonara Ballroom, St. Julian’s.

Yachting Malta thanked Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta for their support.