EurILCA Masters Series’ sailors conquer elements
The Royal Malta Yacht Club launched its 2024 calendar of events with the hosting of the EurILCA Masters Series last week.
The EurILCA Master Series is a series of regattas run throughout the year in various stunning venues across Europe and is open to sailors who attain the age of 30 in 2024.
This is the fourth time the RMYC hosted the first regatta of the 2024 edition and attracted fierce competition on the water. However, it is known for a great apres-sail social scene, making it an extremely popular on the European sailing calendar.
Whilst the first day of racing was marked with dismal weather and steady downpours, the two fleets – ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 were able to fit in three races.
The second day saw a northwesterly breeze hit the racecourse, and a moderate swell proved to be challenging for the fleet but nonetheless they were able undertake three races.
The final day of race saw bright sunny weather, however, the wind started to diminish as the morning wore on.
A considerable wind-shift between the first and second race meant that the Race Committee had to realign the course between the first and second race.
The ILCA 6 Class saw Ian Jones (Great Britain) rule throughout having produced very consistent results. The win was determined in the final day of racing since only a point separated
CENTENARY STADIUM: BOV Premier League 11am Sirens vs Valletta. BOV Challenge League 2pm Żejtun Corinthians vs Fgura United; 4.30pm Lija Athletic vs Senglea Athletic.
TONY BEZZINA STADIUM: BOV Premier League 2pm Hibernians vs Gżira United; 4.15pm Sliema Wanderers vs Birkirkara. NATIONAL STADIUM: BOV Premier him last year’s class winner Niall Peelo (Great Britain).
In the end Jones prevailed to win five points ahead of Peelo.
In third place was another Briton, Max Hunt.
The winner of the ILCA 7 Class was Mark Lyttle (Great Britain) who had a strong run to keep a steady gap in front of fellow compatriot Alan Davis and Andrey Malygin (Moldova).
Racing dynamics took an unexpected turn on the final day.
Up until the second day, Davis had maintained a lead over Malygin. However, the spectacle unfolded on the ultimate day of
League 2pm Naxxar vs Marsaxlokk; 4.15pm Gudja vs Mosta.
TEDESCO STADIUM: BOV Challenge League 2pm Żabbar SP vs Pieta Hotspurs; 4.30pm Msida St Joseph vs Luqa St Andrews. SIRENS STADIUM: IZIBET Amateur League 11am St George’s vs Mġarr; 2pm San Ġwann vs Ta’ Xbiex; 4.30pm Qormi vs Kirkop.
CHARLES ABELA STADIUM: IZIBET Amateur League 2pm Marsaskala vs Għaxaq; 4.30pm Vittoriosa vs Dingli. competition, where the Moldovan showcased his prowess by securing a thirdplace finish in the first race and clinching first in the subsequent one.
This result propelled Malygin to seize second place, just two points ahead of Davis. The action not only added a thrilling edge to the races but also dashed Great Britain’s aspirations for a complete country podium.
“We were thrilled to welcome another international fleet to Malta and to the Royal Malta Yacht Club. It was great to see
TA’ QALI: BOV Men’s League 12.30pm Luxol vs Hibernians; 2.30pm Mellieħa Libertas Spalding vs Athleta; 4.30pm SIGMA Depiro vs Valletta Fighters. MARSA: Second meeting of the season. First race at 1.30pm. COTTONERA SC: U-15 League 9am BKVC Dynamites vs Flyers; Swieqi Phoenix Volley Maniacs
familiar faces making a welcome return to our shores as well as seeing many new faces who promised to return to Malta in the very near future,” said David Cremona, Commodore Royal Malta Yacht Club.
Prizes were given to the winners during a dinner hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of David Cremona, RMYC Commodore, Michael Mifsud, CEO – Yachting Malta and Trevor Millar, Sailcoach Founder.
In a statement, the Royal Malta Yacht Club expressed its gratitude to all involved, particularly the Race Committee which was
vs Depiro. U-17 11am BKVC Storms vs Falcons; BKVC Lightnings vs Swieqi Phoenix Challengers. U-19 League 1pm BKVC Vixens vs BKVC Sirens.
BOV Challenge League: Tarxien Rainbows vs Żurrieq 0-0; Melita vs Żebbuġ Rangers 2-1; Swieqi vs Attard 1-1; St Andrews vs Marsa 1-4.
IZIBET Amateur League: Rabat led by race officer Martin Azzopardi and assisted by Neity Maddock and Michael Mifsud, Sailcoach and Yachting Malta Ltd who supported the event.
1. Mark Lyttle (Great Britain); 2. Andrei Malygin (Moldova); 3. Alan Davis (Great Britain).
Apprentice: Howard Leoto (South Africa).
Master:
Britain)
Grand Master (woman) Bowman (Ireland)
Grand Master Male: 1. Ian Jones (Great Britain); Olivier Erena (France).
Great: Max Hunt (Great Britain) Legend: Poopy Marion (France)
Britain); Britain); Britain). Niall Peelo 1. Ian Jones 2. Niall Peelo 3. Max Hunt (Great Aisling (Great (Great (Great
Master: 1. Andrey Malygin (Moldova) 2. Francesco Fabiani (Switzerland); 3. David Surkov (Ukraine).
Apprentice: Zoltan Kovacs (Hungary).
Grand Master: 1. Mark Lyttle (Great Britain); 2. Alan Davis (Great Britain); 3. Barend Binkhorst (Netherlands).
Great Grand Master: Peter Sherwin (Great Britain).
Ajax vs Kalkara United 2-4; Xgħajra Tornados vs Mdina Knights 4-0; Qrendi vs Sta Venera Lightnings 6-0; Birżebbuġa SP vs Pembroke Athleta 3-1. GFA Division Two: Munxar Falcons vs Żebbuġ Rovers 3-1; Għarb Rangers vs Sannat Lions 1-3.