ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE IN THE PURSUIT ON THE INCA TRAIL A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT OF GROWTH AND BEYOND PAGE 6 PAGE 34 PAGE 64

ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019

NEWSPAPER POST

FEATURED STORIES • CAMILLERI MARINE RAGUSA REGATTA • CITADEL SCOGLITTI REGATTA • GAUCI BORDA TRIPLE HANDED RACE • PVIES DOUBLE HANDED RACE ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019

WELCOME TO SPINNAKER

Since time immemorial the start of a fresh year is characterised by a sense of renewed optimism all round and the glass ceases to be half empty. New beginnings inspire change and increase motivation to be and do better.

The Sport Boats Class has grown in a very short time. Not just in terms of fleet size but also in terms of the interest it has generated in the sailing community – definitely a Class to watch out ANNUAL for!

A record breaking fleet embarked on the 50th anniversary Rolex Middle Sea Race with the CHALLENGE TROPHIES dedication, perseverance and spirit which has come to define this famous international offshore race throughout the past five decades. The Royal Malta Yacht Club will be presenting the annual COASTAL CHALLENGE TROPHY Offshore Challenge Trophy, the Coastal Race Trophy and Qualifying Races Length Points For this edition we interviewed Double Olympic Gold-Medallist Shirley Robertson OBE, who the Short Handed Series trophies to the boats that perform Nm. Factor made it into the history books by becoming the first British woman to win two Olympic gold best overall in the IRC Category of these races. The owner Marsamxett – Mgarr (March Gozo 14 1.0 medals at consecutive games, in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Shirley was in Malta, covering of a boat eligible for this trophy shall be a full member of the Weekend) the Rolex Middle Sea Race for the CNN programme Mainsail. Royal Malta Yacht Club. Easter Round Gozo Race 50 1.5 Our Sailing School has never been busier and the dedicated efforts of our coaches are OFFHSORE CHALLENGE TROPHY Round Comino Coastal Series 25 1.2 reaping results. Our crews have been taking part in many races and performing well. Notable Qualifying Races Length Points Race performances were registered in the Optimist Novice Class in the Mapfre Middlesea Euromed Nm. Factor Marsamxett – Mgarr (November 14 1.0 Regatta so much that the Yacht Club was represented on a number of podiums. Malta – Ragusa Race 55 1.0 Gozo Weekend) The racing calendar was a hectic one – inspired by the Rolex Middle Sea Race, races like the Ragusa – Malta Race 55 1.0 Round Malta Race 45 1.5 BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta, the Raymarine Double Handed Race and the Medcomms Round Malta – Marzamemi Race 60 1.0 Malta race saw increased participation and very active competition. Messina – Syracuse Race 70 1.25 SHORT HANDED SERIES Our social calendar was no less busy – with social events like the Lebanese Night, the Summer Syracuse - Malta Race 80 1.25 Qualifying Races Length Points Nm. Factor Party, Christmas drinks and of course the New Year’s Eve Party which closed off the year with Rolex Middle Sea Race 606 3.0 a bang, having Malta’s hottest band Red Electrik playing live all night – that party was one for Round Malta Double Handed Race 45 1.0 the books! Single Handed Round Comino 25 1.0 Race Though the start of a new year and new beginings do inspire change, it does not mean that Triple Handed Round Gozo Race 50 0.9 challenges encountered in the previous year dissipate and a new clean state is placed in front of us. Yet, a new year offers us an opportunity to reflect and grow in pursuit of better tomorrows. Double Handed Figure of Eight 75 1.25 Round Malta and Gozo race Enjoy the read! Double Handed Figure of Eight 50 1.1 Maria Vella-Galea | Editor Round Malta & Comino / Gozo & Comino

Detailed information can be found in the Races section of the Club’s website.

1 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 COMMODORE’S FROM THE MESSAGE SECRETARIAT A very eventual year has just passed. The first part of the could be a great opportunity for the Club to be involved at Dear Members, night away to the tunes played by Malta’s most popular band racing programme was brought to a close with the Malta- the highest level of sailing competition. It is early days and “Red Electrick” – The NYE event was very well attended Syracuse Race in July which had a very good turnout. The we shall wait to see how this develops. My opening line in the July edition of our Club magazine and the atmosphere was vibrant. Am sure that those who summer cruising break ended with a well-attended Summer made reference to the hot summer which was upon us at attended are glad they did so,.... while those who didn’t !! ..... Party and it was soon time to focus on a special Rolex Middle The Club has also seen a welcome surge in sailing activity the time. Today, summer seems like a long time away and ah well you missed out. We had very good reviews of the Sea Race on the 50th Anniversary of the first race held in at the Club itself as the Sailing School has shown very the current weather doesn’t help at all. However, as with night and we look forward to having more successful social 1968. The opportunity was taken to make this a memorable satisfactory growth in the number of young sailors and it is most things in the cycle of life the weather regenerates events in the future. one with a trip down memory lane to hold the crew party at now also organizing dinghy regattas. itself. the old Club premises on Fort Manoel. A record entry for 2019 will see an extensive house maintenance program the race made the start more spectacular than ever and the We are now well into the new year and the Club has just Our Club too, is no exception. launched, with particular attention being given to the Club event was a great success. announced its sailing programme for 2019. All the old races roof. There has been talk of making the roof a self sufficient are there together with some new proposals. Among the 2018 has been a rather busy year for the Xommittee space which can enhance and encourage its usage. With the excitement of the Rolex Middle Sea Race barely over, new events is a two leg race starting from Messina, stopping in general. To date, we have had a total number of 19 Hopefully this time round we will manage to reach this Club racing resumed with Bank of Valletta Gozo Weekend in Syracuse and joining the historic Syracuse-Malta Race. meetings and by the time we hold our AGM this should ambitious goal. in November. This was followed by the Raymarine Double This interesting event is being held with the support of the increase to 21. In essence that means that we have nearly Handed Race and the Medcomms Round Malta Race. These Comune di Messina with the co-operation of the Circolo managed to maintain an average of 2 meetings per month, The relationship with our caterer and the level of service races were all very popular with good participation showing Motonautica e Velico Peloritano Messina and the Lega (less the period of the summer recess) which if I may say has been the focus of lengthy discussions. The Committee that Autumn seems to be a favoured time of the year by Navale sezione di Siracusa. so, is not bad at all. Generally speaking both attendance has not always agreed with our catering operators’ sailors. The Club once again hosted members at the annual and participation has been good, even though at times, approach and many a time we found ourselves facing Christmas drinks and thus was followed by the Boxing Day The Club will next be planning some social activities to our Mediterranean way of discussion may have taken the surreal situations. However, with a little bit more than just Fun Race in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. The enjoy off the water for sailors and non-sailors alike. upper hand. However, in retrospect, given the very different perseverance, it seems that we have now finally reached year ended with a New year’s Eve party to the sound of Red characters sitting around the committee table, I think we did an acceptable compromise which should secure that club Electrick, one of Malta’s leading bands. I wish you all another great year of sailing. pretty well. members and their guests benefit from a better quality product and a better service. Comments recently received Last year the Club was asked to present a challenge for Godwin As you all know, the 2019 Annual General Meeting was held were encouraging. Let’s hope that the new format will prove the Americas Cup on behalf of Malta Altus Challenge. This Godwin Zammit | Commodore on Tuesday the 26th of February 2019. At the time of writing to be sustainable for the longer term. one could only speculate on membership attendance and participation – however, this always was definitely It is good to note that the idea of having members contribute EDITOR Jean Pierre Magro, Giles Marcus Ciantar, Rodrigo Yacht Club and is distributed encouraged. to the magazine recounting all their different stories and Maria Vella-Galea Pearman, Richard Petty, M. Rato/LX Sailing, Stefan to all Club members, boat achievements has caught on. This too should be further Italo Screpanti, Matt Tabone Abela, Stephanie Mizzi and yacht importers, marinas, Club membership has been seeing a slight growth with encouraged and I can assure our members that space will EDITORIAL BOARD Ferrante, Maria Vella-Galea marine outlets, marinas, new members nearly equalling members who unfortunately be made available for them. Georges Bonello Dupuis DESIGN ministries, embassies and decided not to renew. Membership numbers and most of Godwin Zammit PHOTOGRAPHY Branded Juice Ltd leading organisations. all membership retention, is always of concern to any Talking of space, mine ran out, looking forward to meeting Maria Vella-Galea Alex Turnbull, Andrea committee. Above all, membership participation has to be you all at the club. Robert Ciantar Azzopardi, Birzebbugia Sailing PRINTING For further information further encouraged at all levels. I think it is high time we all Club Freeport, Chris Mangion, Europrint Ltd regarding promotion and took solid steps and a little bit of a different approach. CONTRIBUTORS Clayton Saliba, Darren Agius, advertising please call the Maxi Butler, Molly Butler, Francesca Vella, Geoffrey DISTRIBUTION Royal Malta Yacht Club on + “Ask not what your club can do for you, but what you can Peter Bourne, Robert Zarb Adami, Jonathan Borg, Spinnaker is the official 356 21 333 109 or email on do for your club” (am sure that the late John F. Kennedy will Ciantar, Louay Habib, Karl Miggiani, Kurt Arrigo, publication of the Royal Malta [email protected] excuse my borrowing one of his more popular quotes). The Club does not belong to the Committee or to anyone else. The Club belongs to its members and it’s the members that Robert W. Ciantar | Hon. Secretary RMYC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed by either make it or break it. It’s the members that create that Spinnaker are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy feeling of a second home. This, my friends is, in my opinion, but the editor and publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs or what we need to action. illustrations. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome but cannot be returned without a stamped self-addressed envelope. This year’s RMYC welcoming to the New Year was pretty Editor is not responsible for material submitted for consideration. All Rights Reserved. successful. Club members and their guests danced the

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“Competitors enjoyed 15-20 knots of wind and a good sea ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE COASTAL Rolex Middle Sea Coastal Race state,” commented PRO Peter Dimech. “For the race up to RACE RESULTS Comino it was a run with a beat back to the Fairway Buoy, so a good range of wind angles for the boats before the Rolex Cup: First Overall IRC Coastal Race big race on Saturday.” Black Pearl Stefan Johannes Jentzsch BLACK PEARL A Prize Giving evening, held in conjunction with Yachting IRC Class 2 Malta was held at Verdala Palace. All winners were 1st Black Pearl Stefan Johannes Jentzsch presented with their trophies by Mr. John Huber, Chairman 2nd Endlessgame Pietro Moschini of Yachting Malta, in the presence of Royal Malta Yacht SHINES Club Commodore Godwin Zammit and Principal Race IRC Class 3 Officer Peter Dimech. Her Excellency Mrs. Marie Louise 1st Frogfoot Sergey Bryuzga Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic delivered a short 2nd Katsu Alan Hannon speech at the end of the evening prior to a donation made 3rd Magic Twelve Alexander Rubstov by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Yachting Malta to the Malta Community Chest Fund. IRC Class 4 1st Elusive Aaron, Christoph & Maya Podesta 2nd Xpresso Sean Borg 3rd Jackhammer Andrew Hall IRC Class 5 1st Scarlet Oyster Ross Appleby 2nd Anita Nicholas Ibanez SCott 3rd Jivaro Yves Grosjean IRC Class 6 1st Seawolf David Latham 2nd Bogatyr Igor Rytov 3rd 2 Hard Martin Hartl

The traditional warm up race before the start of the Rolex Lagesse. “Our goal was to check our pre-race set up and Yachting Malta Middle Sea Race, the Rolex Middle Sea Coastal Race, was we raced full out for the full thirty miles, and then more held on Wednesday 17th October. practice. Looking forward to Saturday, we are excited, we have a fantastic fleet of over 140 boats, and we will need to Thirty four yachts started the Race, divided into IRC Classes. be at the top of our game if we are to do well.” Principal Race Officer, Peter Dimech, set a course of approximately 30 nautical miles from Marsamxett Harbour, Maltese First 45 Elusive 2 sailed by Christoph, Aaron & around the Valletta Harbour Fairway Buoy, the island of Maya Podesta was the winner of IRC 4 and third overall. Comino, and the same course back to the finish, which was “Our main aim today was to sail together as a team, as it in sight of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. has been sometime since we have all been available. Also Elusive 2 has a new rig, the race went well for us, and it The overall winner of the 2018 Rolex Middle Sea Coastal was great to win our class and to be the first Maltese boat Race was Stefan Jentzsch’s German Carkeek 47 Black to finish the race”, explained Elusive 2’s Maya Podesta. Pearl. Pietro Moschini’s Italian Cookson 50 Endlessgame took line honours and was second overall. Congratulations go to all of the Class winners, including: Sergey Bryuzga’s Russian Ker 40 Frogfoot, Ross Applebey’s “The Coastal Race was a good way to get on track for the British Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster and David Latham’s British offshore race,” commented Black Pearl’s navigator, Marc Pronavia 38 Seawolf of Southampton.

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Time for Reflection

How fitting that a French skipper triumphed in the race’s golden anniversary. After all, it was a Frenchman, Albert Debarge, who in 1968 offered his friend John Ripard Snr the opportunity to choose a yacht to sail the inaugural race. A race, Ripard, a renowned local sailor, would go on to win.

“His only condition was that the boat’s name had to be Josian, which was his wife’s name,” recalled Ripard who opted to commission a design from a then emerging boat builder, Nautor’s Swan.

Naturally the pageantry tied to this year’s race provided an opportunity for the likes of Ripard Snr to reminisce on the first edition of the contest. A race contested by eight yachts, conceived in the summer of that year, and which took almost every available hour between then and the start to ensure the race could take place.

Alan Green, a British sailor living in Malta in the late 1960s, one of the race’s co-founders, was invited to be part of this year’s celebrations. “Seeing 130 boats today is a dream come true,” he observed at one of the many special events organised for this year’s celebrations. “When we started this race I was in no doubt that the formula was right. In one of the first press releases I wrote in 1968, and perhaps owing to the impetuous nature of youth, we already gave the race the title ‘a classic’. This is a title it richly deserves today.”

By the time that first race came around, the toll of organising and promoting the event, involving some 50 different bodies, had squeezed almost all ROLEX of Green’s energy. Following the race start on 30 MIDDLE SEA RACE November 1968, Green, who insisted upon taking part, recalls sleeping for much of the first 200-nautical miles. Once rested he helped drive Sandettie to third A Sense of Accomplishment place overall. Ripard, approaching his 90th birthday, reflects on how times have changed: “When you go A record breaking fleet embarked on the 50th anniversary watch brand has coincided with the race’s resurgence off on a race today, you can press a button and know Rolex Middle Sea Race with the dedication, perseverance over the past fifteen years. exactly where you are, how fast you are going, what and spirit which has come to define this famous international the course is exactly. In those days it was a question offshore race throughout the past five decades. 130 yachts The Main Prizes of monitoring and logging your move every half an representing 29 countries, uniting seasoned campaigners, hour or so. Your course, your calculated speed. The intrepid first timers and those drawn back to Malta after One statistic not threatened this year was the 11-year old difference between then and now is astronomical.” decade long absences. Motivation charged by the prospect race record. However, in claiming a fourth straight monohull of being part of a unique edition of the race. line honours success, and a fifth overall, American George Splendid Race Course David is now that specific award’s most decorated skipper. The Rolex Middle Sea Race, organised by the Royal Even the fastest multihull, Maserati Multi 70, skippered by What remains true of the first race and today’s Malta Yacht Club, was founded in 1968 principally to Giovanni Soldini, was unable to surpass the increasingly is the wild beauty of the racecourse. Originally a provide local Corinthian sailors with more challenging resilient time of 47 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds set by clockwise route around Sicily, today it is a 606-nm opportunities to sail in the Mediterranean winter. From that David’s previous Rambler in 2007. Overall victory on IRC anticlockwise passage that still takes in scenic and humble ideal fifty years ago, today stands an international handicap belonged to Géry Trentesaux’s JPK 11.80 Courrier tactical junctures like the Strait of Messina, Etna, the event of significant stature. Rolex, marking its six decade Recommandé from France. The very same Trentesaux who volcanic island of Stromboli, the rugged Aeolian and long association with yachting this year, has been Title three years ago prevailed from a fleet of 356 yachts to claim Egadi islands, beginning and finishing off Valletta, Sponsor since 2002. This partnership between Club and the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race. the 2018 European Capital of Culture.

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were really challenging,” explained Trentesaux on arrival. Perhaps though the key moment came when the yacht broached off Pantelleria. Trentesaux, the skipper, leader and most experienced member of the crew, assumed the helming duties for four hours, using all of his guile to ensure Courrier Recommandé’s crew settled any nerves and recovered lost ground at a critical stage.

Having won the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Courrier Recommandé are planning on travelling to Australia for 2019’s 75th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart. A tantalising opportunity for Trentesaux to become the first skipper to win all three of the Rolex-partnered 600- nm offshore races. extended. In this Class, last year’s overall race winning First Time Achievers owner Igor Rytov triumphed with Bogatyr. A year ago, an exhausted Rytov remarked that he couldn’t conceive Competing for the first time, and amongst the crews to returning to the race. Yet twelve months later, the Russian travel furthest to Malta were the Filipino sailors on the 40-ft sailor attacked the course with just as much vigour and Hurricane Hunter. In a race that witnessed 31 retirements, determination. their sense of accomplishment on crossing the finish line off Valletta was palpable.“We never thought about not A Time for Celebration “The racecourse is the most scenic in the world. It has got a finishing,” explained skipper Albert Altura. “It was a tough lot of history and has very variable wind conditions. It can be Making 600-nm History race for us. We always kept pressing. We had all the Another of the invited guests, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston heavy, it can be light,” added George David whose crew on challenges that a big race presents – broken sails, blown returned to Malta, thirty-eight years after he completed the the 88-ft Maxi Rambler return each year to Malta not only for Trentesaux’s success is not born from an in-depth out spinnakers. The crew were all composed, our spirit was race. His one appearance in 1970 came just eighteen months the charm of the racecourse but with a single-minded mission. knowledge of the course - he has only taken part in never broken. The wind conditions in this race made us after his ground-breaking solo non-stop circumnavigation “We come back every year because when the race record is the race once before, in 1982 as a 23-year old who had better sailors.” While winning the main prizes and classes is of the globe. Observing this year’s race start from Saluting broken again we want to make sure it’s us who break it.” just completed his military service. Rather it is a triumph a significant incentive at the race, the experiences gained Battery, Valletta, Knox-Johnston commented: “Everyone fuelled by a passion for offshore sailing and as he and challenges conquered in completing the race are thinks it is the strong winds which are difficult. Sailing A Small Boat Race identifies: “A very strong team, a good boat, a great crew as memorable and character defining. Perhaps no boat when there is no wind, that’s when the skills come in. That and good sails.” Following the Rolex Fastnet, Trentesaux embodied this more than the race’s last finisher, L’Aventure, is why this is such an attractive race, because you get that On the dawn of the race start though, David was already retired from offshore racing, ‘an addiction’ he was able which spent five days, 13 hours and 45 minutes at sea. combination.” aware that setting a new fastest finish time was highly to contain for only three years. “I love the atmosphere of Likewise, those who sailed double-handed and for whom unlikely. An arduous passage from Capo Passero towards offshore racing and I couldn’t resist coming back to the resources are the Strait of Messina during the first evening and night allied Rolex Middle Sea Race this year.” Amongst Trentesaux’s those concerns. Although Rambler and the frontrunners all French crew was another former Rolex Fastnet winner. picked up speed following the rounding of Stromboli, she Alexis Loison who made history in 2013 when, with his finished in the early hours of Tuesday morning over 14 father Pascal, they became the race’s first-ever double- hours outside of the race benchmark. Proud of setting a handed winners. record number of line honours victories on arrival in Grand Harbour, Valletta, David was immediately briefing his crew “This is a magnificent, beautiful race course. We had a lot that they would be back to try again in 2019. of wind during the last 24 hours of the race, 15 of which

As the frontrunners continued to arrive in Valletta during the race’s third evening, it became evident that this was not going to be a big boat race. What followed was a procession of yachts crossing the finish line in Malta and assuming temporary leadership of the race. Momo, Endlessgame, Tonnerre de Glen, all at one stage could dream of success. Then on the fourth afternoon of the race, Trentesaux’s yacht, launched earlier this year, picked up pace down the west coast of Sicily. Her times at the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa suggested she needed to be taken seriously. And on arriving in Malta, Courrier Recommandé assumed leadership of the race. The scene was set for a French boat to win the race for the third time – following Antares in 1981 and Spirit of Ad Hoc in 2008.

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ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 A LITTLE OF THE HISTORY RICHARD PETTY Richard Petty took part in the inaugural edition of the Middle and continued to sail and race. It is my Sea Race, he shared his memories of how he got to be part intention to “do” the “Caribbean 600” next of the crew of Barada back in 1968. year before my 75th Birthday and complete the Rolex 600s. I spent the summer of 1968 working at Fondatore in St Paul’s Bay as a sailing and water ski instructor, whilst there I I have very happy memories raced a small Twister sloop called “Devonshire Doormouse” of my time in Malta and still which belonged to one of our clients. have friends from those days. The “Middle Sea” Fittingly, Knox-Johnston is also celebrating a golden First Maltese Boat During that time I, met the Ripard brothers and many others stands out as a lifetime anniversary of his own in 2018. His world-girdling Transport Malta Trophy for first boat across line with in the Royal Malta Yacht Club and spent many weekends experience to do the adventure having started on 14 June, 1968. A legendary Maltese skipper & majority of Maltese crew members racing against them, Johnny Everett in his Nicholson 32 very first one. It probably achievement for which his trusted navigational aide was a Jonas Diamantino & Ramon Sant Hill (MLT), Comanche “Barada” and Jerry Holland from “The Ramla Bay Hotel”. resulted in a lifetime of Rolex timepiece, the very reward bestowed on Trentesaux Raider III yacht ownership and for winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race fifty years later. It is When the idea of “The Middle Sea Race” came up Johnny sailing in many locations indeed, a significant year for yachting anniversaries. Arthur Podesta & Teddie Borg Trophies for first Maltese entered “Barada” and asked me to join his race crew. That around the world. Boat under IRC & ORC was my first taste of distance racing (the yachts were slower No races were held from 1984 to 1995 so, although this Elusive 2 (MLT), Aaron, Cristoph & Maya Podesta then) and it became a bit of a marathon as I remember. So, Thank you Malta and was the 50th anniversary of the race, it actually marked the the Rolex Middle Sea 39th edition. First Italian Boat Since then I have raced the “Fastnet” and “Sydney Hobart” Race. FIV Trophy for first Italian boat under ORC The 40th Rolex Middle Sea Race kicks off on Saturday, 19 Endlessgame (ITA), Pietro Moschini October 2019. Undoubtedly, more stories of passion, skill and determination will be recorded in the history of this First Swan Yacht classic race. Swan Mediterranean Challenge Trophy for first Swan under IRC 2018 ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE Lunz Am Meer (AUT), Riccardo Genghini & Marietta PRINCIPAL PRIZE WINNERS Strasoldo

Rolex Middle Sea Race Overall Winner Class Winners Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy & Rolex Timepiece IRC 1 - Momo (GER), Dieter Schön Courrier Recommandé (FRA), Géry Trentesaux IRC 2 – Optimum 3 (GRE), Periklis Livas & Nikolaos Lazos ORC Division Winner IRC 3 – Tonnerre de Glen (FRA), Gerard Ludvic IRC 4 – Albator (FRA), Philippe Franz Boccale del Mediterraneo Trophy IRC 5 – Courrier Recommandé (FRA), Géry Trentesaux Bohemia Praha Debra (CZE), Milan Tomek IRC 6 – Rossko (RUS), Sergey Kiziev Double-Handed Class ORC 1 – Freccia Rossa (RUS), Vadim Yakimenko Andrea Vattani Trophy for Line Honours John Illingworth Trophy for Overall win under IRC ORC 2 – Endlessgame (ITA), Pietro Moschini ORC 3 – Be Wild (ITA), Renzo Grottesi Bogatyr (RUS), Igor Rytov & Vyatcheslav Martynov Monohull Line Honours ORC 4 – Elusive 2 (MLT), Aaron, Cristoph & Maya Podesta RLR Line Honours Trophy ORC 5 – Bohemia Praha Debra (CZE), Milan Tomek Rambler (USA), George David ORC 6 – Redshift Reloaded (GBR), Ed Fishwick Multihull Class Malta Tourism Authority Trophy for first foreign boat to The Rolex Middle Sea Race was supported by the Ministry finish Captain Morgan & MOCRA Trophies for first boat for Tourism, the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta, on corrected time Yachting Malta, Marina di Valletta, Grand Hotel Excelsior Maserati (ITA), Giovanni Soldini Marina and the Grand Harbour Marina.

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Brought together after many decades, Rolex Middle Sea Race Co-Founders John Ripard Snr and Alan Green

You Can Trus t

Thomas Smith to Deliver

Shipping | Insurance Edward Warden-Owen - Chief Executive Royal Ocean Racing Club, Admiral Giovanni Iannuci, Sir Robin Knox- Freight Forwarding | Port Agency Johnston, John Ripard Snr - Rolex Middle Sea Race Co-Founder, Alan Green – Rolex Middle Sea Race Co- A MEETING Founder With over 170 years of integ rity, insight, expertise and experience we of the make sure that our clients are always experiences. The inception of the Rolex Middle Sea Race – in good hands for any shipping and from a dream between friends to a reality for thousands of insurance requirement. sailors, to sailing exploits that remain etched in the annals of history.

GREATS! Give us a call on 22058058 A truly enlightening experience to listen to the co- It was truly a unique and enriching experience for those founders of this historic race, John Ripard Snr and Alan who attended the Question & Answer Session organised Green sharing insights on how this race was dreamt up, by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and which saw Rolex how it evolved, from a race of just eight boats to a fleet Middle Sea Race co-Founders John Ripard Snr and Alan of one hundred thirty yachts gracing the Grand Harbour Green catch up with Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, Admiral and followed all around the world. Giovanni Iannuci and RORC Chief Executive Edward Warden-Owen. Journalists and Club Members attending the session enjoyed grilling the speakers on many topics and were Some of the audience listening attentively to what they www.tcsmith.com In what was an event full of light hearted moments, the able to enjoy some light hearted banter over a few drinks had to say five gentlemen were only happy to share some of their once the session ended.

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SPINNAKER | So, is this crew the same you will have for another. Sea is an integral part of my life, that is for sure. I next year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race? am away for six months in a year, so family time, becomes The ROLEX MIDDLE SEA Christoph: Pretty much yes, more and more important especially with a two year old son. Upon my return from the summer season, I just rushed Aaron: Two days after the race, we all sat down for a full off to the Middle Sea Race – thankfully my wife Mikela is RACE Experience team debrief and have prepared many pages listing things very supportive! that need modifying, correcting and improving. That is the only way you can be competitive in the high competition Christoph: Similarly to Aaron, until quite recently I was the ELUSIVE 2 there is in this race. captain of a big high performance sailing yacht on a round Skipper | Christoph Podesta Maya: Not being professional sailors, with all of us having the world trip. Over the past three or four years, years if Crew | David Anastasi, Andrea Crocella, Gareth Grech, demanding day to day jobs tends to limit what the team I wasn’t enjoying sailing Elsuive 2, you would find me Ben Pace Lehner, Aaron Podesta, Maya Podesta, Sam can do. hopping from one boat to another, racing and sailing. I have Pizzuto, Matthew Scicluna, Kane Seychell to admit, that when I am at home and not sailing, I make SPINNAKER | The boat naturally holds many good the most of home’s creature comforts especially when it The Podesta name is synonymous with the Rolex Middle memories, nearly 10 years old, any consideration of selling is bad weather. However it is very clear that sailing is in Sea Race. Arthur Podesta was the only sailor to compete or changing to a newer model? our blood, we love it and we keep coming back to it from in all editions of the race prior to his passing in 2015. The Christoph: Changing to a newer model would certainly be time to time. The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a big highlight Podesta flag remains flying high through his children Aaron, an option however it is not one we can afford. A decision of our year – we need to work on making it less stressful Christoph and Maya who once again have returned to the was taken to invest in making improvements and ensure and complicated – but it keeps bringing us together doing race and producing another podium win for the Beneteau that she is competitive for many more years. The boat was something we love – am sure we will keep on doing it for First 45. already struggling to be competitive, so the decision was to quite a few years to come. upgrade the boat with modern technology. SPINNAKER | Months of preparation, being on the hard for SPINNAKER | Any superstitions before or during the race? Maya: [laughs] I am the one that is in Malta for most of the time. a considerable amount of time – what did that consist of? SPINNAKER | What about the crew? This year you had two Aaron: No, not really – there isn’t much time to think Am a doctor specialising in public health, so my work is very Maya: All races require preparation, however this year new crew members – Sam Pizzuto and Kane Seychell, about it!! different to the sea and boats but the fact am working here much more work had to be done because of changes to how did they come about joining the crew? allows me the flexibilty to do be able to work and sail. I guess the boat. The most time consuming part of these changes Christoph: Well it is a mix of old friendships SPINNAKER | You had a very challenging race, not only here you have to mention David [Anastasi], as practicing our was the changing of the rig, which required us to take the and finding the right person for the due to weather but also due to the constant battle with hobby together makes a huge difference. The boat, is like boat to France, that on it’s own requires its own preparation. respective roles. Also we wanted someone Xp-Act. That definitely kept you on your toes – do you see another full time job at times so if I were to do it alone we young to join the team and give someone something like this as a positive thing or something that would probably end up never seeing each other. He is also Christoph: such a change requires extra attention as this is a shot at it – we were all young at one stresses you out more? patient and supportive in a different way to Mikela is to Aaron an integral part of the boat, and planning started as early as point and wanted to go sailing so we Christoph: This is avery positive thing, XP-Act are an and Daphne is to Christoph. We obviously have to mention February, so a decision was taken not to race in Malta and wanted to give something back and extremely good team and good gauge and benchmark to our mother Christine, who is the backbone of our family – she focus on getting the boat ready. give someone a chance – Kane judge our perfomance. In previous years we could never is behind keeping everything together. The boat is tied up in [Seychell] was that person. keep up with them, we would be close but constantly front of her house and since we don’t live at home anymore, Aaron: This decision meant that there was no boat for slipping away. This year we saw a big difference in the we have a second home to go to. She enjoys the action and is us to train on and the first time the crew sailed the boat Aaron: We don’t see the crew as boat’s capabilities and ours. It was a very positive thing as in her element helping us out – whether it is cooking or doing properly was in the Coastal Race. [Editor’s note: Elusive just being there for the race but all to know what we were doing. the boat laundry. Naturally she does worry about us. 2 went on to win their Class (IRC 4), were third overall around – the buildup is critical. A and first Maltese boat in the Coastal Race] Having well prepared boat at the starting Aaron: It kept on our toes from beginning to end, which SPINNAKER | Any sibling rivalry? said that, Elusive 2’s crew has been mostly the same line is 70% of the hurdle one is very important on a race like this. You can never relax, Christoph: We are amazing team together, the combination for a number of years so which made life a bit easier, needs to clear for the race is especially in the second and third days when fatigue kicks of the three of us is why we actually perform so well – we but the lack of on water training was certainly felt. boat preparation. in. It is easy to sit down relax and before you know you need to keep fine tuning our interaction between each There was a degree of apprehension from lack would have lost miles. Pacing is something that has to be other to make sure we keep pushing ahead rather than of training, especially since in the build up to Christoph: Well sailing done 24 hours a day. getting stuck on a misinterpretation of opinions. Being so the race, there was never more than two of the requires a big effort but close to each other, there is no filter in our mouths. Things siblings at any given time and David Anastasi, racing in easy – this is Maya: We don’t know what most of the foreign boats are can develop quickly but in reality they disappear as quickly who has now become part of the core team. when everything works as capable of doing. Now we know Xp-Act is an extremely as they develop. It was only nine days before the race that it should and the boat is good boat and team so pacing with them provided a good all came together. properly set up to go fast. benchmark. We have been competing against them quite Maya: We need to keep pulling the same ropes, so there a lot – sometimes they are ahead of us, at times we are is not much point in there being rivalry. Well if we had to ahead – so competition between us has been going on for be racing on different boats, yes there would be but not in quite a while. This year was definitely the closest. this case.

SPINNAKER | We all know the Podesta’s as sailors, but Christoph: There is really no competition between us, the what is life outside sailing? misunderstandings we have are a matter of opinion, as we Aaron – I am captain on a yacht, so if it is not one boat it is all want to achieve the best possible outcome.

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SPINNAKER | The crew is quite an international selection SPINNAKER | Seems that sailing is very much an integral and some new faces from 2017. How were the new team part of your lives, do you have time for anything else? The ROLEX MIDDLE SEA members selected, did you have enough time to prepare Except your day to day jobs? and train together before the race? I’m a busy doctor and also sell yachts so I have quite a full The Xp-Act crew is generally made up of a core of 5 day! I still manage to find time for some normal family life RACE Experience members who are based in Malta and then another 5 or 6 and other sports like Stand up Paddling and water skiing in who fly in specially for the race. Over the 6 years we have the summer and now I have now got back into cycling. been racing the boat the crew has remained quite constant XP-ACT except for 1 or 2 crew members who we have to change SPINNAKER | What does 2019 have in store for Team Xp- Skippers | Timmy Camilleri / Josef Schultheis from year to year. In 2018 we had 2 crewmembers who Act? Crew | Timmy Camilleri, Barry Hurley, Nicky Fenech, Stefan Debattista, were totally new to the boat and one who had raced with The plan for Xp-act for 2019 is to try to do some more races Jochem Visser, Thor Andersen, Kenneth Rumball, Joan Molloy, James Crampton us a few times in previous editions. We have developed a during the season prior to the Rolex Middle Sea Race and good network of contacts in the competitive racing scene this is mainly to introduce a new crew member to the boat SPINNAKER | Timmy, you have been racing the Rolex Middle Sea Race since you were 18 and so the new members come recommended. Since all and to offshore racing. This is none other than Richard years of age, one of the few sailors to have competed in many editions. Why do you keep the crew members on board are of a very high level – both Schultheis who has been waiting for his 14th birthday to coming back? the local and the “foreign” crew – everyone knows what to be able to participate! We plan to put up another serious The Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the most important and competitive offshore races in do in their positions. In the few days they are here before and competitive campaign with a few improvements to the the world. To be able to participate in such an event against elite competition right from our the race we generally do a bit of light training for the new boat and the usual high level crew this year strengthened shores is too much of an opportunity to miss, especially if like me you really enjoy offshore comers to get to know the boat and then mainly spend by Richard. events! Luckily I have always been on board great boats with the best local and very more time on safety training and final preparations to the good foreign crews and have managed to be competitive in most of the editions I have boat. taken part in. SPINNAKER | You had a very challenging race, not only SPINNAKER | You have substantial international sailing experience, how does due to weather but also due to the constant battle with the Rolex Middle Sea Race compare to the other races you take part in abroad? Elusive 2. That definitely kept you on your toes – do you As an offshore event I am sure that the Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the see something like this as a positive thing or something toughest races in the world and is only matched by the Fastnet and Sydney that stresses you out more? Hobart. Overall I think that the Royal Malta Yacht Club really put up a great I think that it is good to have a boat to pace ourselves event and this matches most of those I have participated in overseas against.In our class we tend to be well matched against the including the Rolex Giraglia Week, Copa Del Rey, X-41 World and Italian top local boats like Artie in the past and Elusive 2 this year. It Championships, X-Yachts Gold Cups and others like the ISAF World keeps the crew on their toes and keeps us pushing the boat Championships, Match Racing Championships and Malta - Syracuse to the maximum. With the improved tracking devices and races. AIS it is now easier to keep tabs on our opposition.

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Ramon working with them for the months in the build up to crashed into winches – bruising my ribs badly, and though THE ROLEX the race. Melle and I were confident of Ramon’s judgement for a split second I thought of calling in for a helicopter, that and capability to assess the crews.Nonetheless, we split thought passed quickly and did not ever think to quit. shifts in such a way that the newer crew members were MIDDLE SEA RACE supported by the more experienced crew at all times. SPINNAKER | Would you have done anything differently? Jonas: Maybe now that we know the boat a bit more, more Experience SPINNAKER | Tell us more about the 2018 Rolex Middle training and more practice to get to know the the boat better. Sea Race. Also we had quite a lot of water coming into the boat so we Jonas: I always enjoy the Rolex Middle Sea Race need to work on that – not sure if we can make it a fully dry tremendously – hence my participation. I do feel stress in boat, as it took three years to make the previous boat dry! COMANCHE heavier conditions – primarily for the safety of the crew and the boat suffers little or no damages. I do question myself Ramon: We had never been out in heavy weather on this as to why I do this especially this year since this was our first boat. And we did not have much time for training – having RAIDER III race on this boat, I didn’t know how she would handle the said that once you are out there you keep on going. The heavy conditions. crew knew that save for major damage to the boat such as breaking a mast, losing a keel or rudder, we were not going With its bright red and black colours, Comanche Raider III Previously the boats were wholly owned by me, but this Melle: Getting any peaceful rest despite being exhausted to retire from the race. We had four members who were very is easily recognisable. A determined performance by the time the boat is owned by the three of us – 65% between is very difficult. If I had to be honest, there is a degree of unwell for the majority of the race. One got injured and from latest Comanche resulted in a podium place in the Rolex Ramon and me and Melle owns 35%. This tri partnership or fear for one’s life as one has to recognise that we would be a team of nine we ended up with just four fully functional Middle Sea Race Prize Giving. Spinnaker sat down with consortium as you prefer to call it enables us to run such battling the elements. If you don’t recognise this then they crew. owners Jonas Scifo Diamantino, Ramon Sant Hill and Melle campaigns. might have the final say! Every race I say never again but Boersma to learn more about their campaign. then I sign up again! Jonas: Personally I was not fit enough, so we need to think On the 14th of December 2017, the boat Werewolf came about for the next race. Thankfully I am experienced so if I Skipper | Ramon Sant Hill into our hands. Similar to Comanche II, she needed a Ramon: It is pretty much the same for me, we are all am not physically up to it, I know where I have to stop so as Crew | Daniel Bartolo, Melle Boermsa, Roberto Briffa, number of alterations and improvements. Previously these competitive people so that adds to the stress but then when not to impact the safety and performance. One has to credit Chris Fenech, Paolo Giummara, Matthew Micallef, Jonas improvements usually take two to three years to complete it is over we look forward to the next one! Melle, Ramon and Paolo, they made the boat move fly in Scifo Diamantino, Lawrence Vento but with this boat we knew what we had to do – it took conditions and situations that in all my 30 years of sailing ten months of very hard work by Ramon and the rest of SPINNAKER | Was there any time that you felt you should eperience have never seen before. Comanche Raider III is a Bruce Farr Design 14.0-metre the crew. The boat had not been very well looked after by quit? racing sailing boat (Farr 45). The boat was constructed in the previous owner so it required a complete dismantling Jonas: From Stromboli to Favignana, I got that feeling every Melle: This is a team effort, from the food preparation to Maryland US, by Carrol Marine, in 1997. Twenty identical and refit – only the engine was not taken out. We made five minutes. However we are not quitters and we have the jobs on the foredeck. Everything is a challenge in these Farr 45s were constructed over a period of a few years and adjustments to the spinnakers, designing sails in such a way competed in previous editions with major damages to the conditions but together you just make it work. to date all 20 are still racing and, quite interestingly, all 20 as to reduce impact on performance but improve the rating boat and completed the race, irrespective of the conditions. still sail with their original carbon masts – which proves the of the boat – in fact she was the highest rated Maltese boat. SPINNAKER | Any light hearted moments? quality of these boats. Ramon: During the race, I had an accident where I was hit Ramon: The first crew member getting sick! Everyone gets Purchasing a boat is always a gamble but we put our hard on the back during a tack. I bounced four metres and sick at some point in time, but if you lighten things up people The 2018 edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race was Jonas, combined experience together to inspect the boat before stress less about it and don’t make them feel useless – I find Melle and Ramon’s fourteenth attempt to win this race buying it – noting areas of concern which at the end were this approach works. together. Ramon has competed in eighteen editions, of not of major concern. Ultimately you never 100% sure if which fifteen were in the company of Jonas. This was Melle’s a boat is up to it, until completing a race. We have more Melle: A highlight for me, was sailing downwind, in 35 knots thirteenth race. Jonas and Ramon always competed in confidence in the boat now, and know where we need to under a dark moon. The boat was shaking and the moment Comanche Raider I, II and III. All three competed on Loriana improve for forthcoming campaigns. was intense – but I was behind the helm, enjoying the di Ravenna as well. Melle, who grew up in Holland and sailed moment and the beauty of the sea. from a very young age, frequently visited Malta and met Jonas SPINNAKER | What were your aims for this race? and Ramon when he joined the Royal Malta Yacht Club. Jonas: The primary aim was to finish the race without Jonas: I enjoy the experience, yet, there is always a degree any injury or major damage. Of course we all are very of stress that something goes wrong which makes me worry. SPINNAKER | What were the preparations involved for competitive and deep down we all did our best at an attempt this campaign? to win the race. We do consider our third place in IRC Class SPINNAKER | Outside of the RMSR..... Jonas: Since 2001, when the Comanche Raider I team was 3 a respectable result especially when one considers that Melle: Well boats and yachting are my life. I do a lot of set up, we have always been a low budget team. We bought this was the boat’s first major event in very challenging cruising, build, sell and trade boats – not a professional boats that were old and extremely cheap in comparison to conditions. sailor totally passionate about boats and the sea. the cost of buying a new boat. Case in point is the current boat. I take the opportunity to thank our sponsors – Catena SPINNAKER | Whilst you three have been racing together Jonas: I have been based in Romania for the past fourteen Media, Gasan Mamo, One Sails and Speedcast for providing for quite a while, what about the rest of the crew? Did you years. That is where my career has taken me. I do miss the a satellite phone. Without their support we would not be have any concerns of issues with team synergies? sea terribly.... and friends and the crew and the Maltese able to run this year’s campaign, and we are all extremely Jonas: Daniel [Bartolo] and Chris [Fenech] raced together ftira! Over there it is not possible to sail every weekend grateful to all of them. before but in reality there were no issues, mostly due to the but Malta has changed a lot in the last fifteen years. Malta

18 19 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 has started to lose a lot of the essence of what Malta was mainly down to the news, received from other crews, about to me. It saddens me to see all the traffic and the chaos. I the bad weather that was ahead of us. With hindsight, I feel don’t miss this. Where I live in Romania I am surrounded that we could have gone further ahead but the responsibility by mountains, fresh air – absolutely gorgeous! to ensure the safety of the crew was far important than pressing on towards potential danger. Ramon: Well apart from sailing and working on boats, I love being close to nature as much as possible – I enjoy offroad This year’s weather was not much different and there were mountain biking and trail running and recently have taken moments when the crew felt that they should consider up SUP - Stand up paddle boarding which is an offshoot of retiring. From a safety point of view, the crew were always surfing. in control and played it safe, so much so there were times when we decided to step back and slow the process down, SPINNAKER | So what is next for the Comanche Raider III reducing the sail a bit early and steering to a safer course. Crew? It was all about keeping the right balance between being Melle: There is quite a long list but definitely means more more cautious than people who did well or retiring as some sailing together as we can do even better if we practice of those who pushed hard did. more together so we become an even sronger team. We still need to iron out some details and get some events on Why Jarhead ? our calendar to get 80% of the crew together to improvie. Our Foundation’s Founder and main Benefactor Greg Nasmyth has a wicked sense of humour. For those who might Jonas: We are looking at the Syracuse, Ragusa and not know Jarhead is an American slang for military marine Marzamemi races organised by the RMYC as well as soldier – it is about soldiering on and facing and overcoming Malta Sailing Federation was sent to all Clubs inviting them possibly Palma Week and the Rolex Giraglia. adversity – whatever the situation. The Foundation was set to recommend sailors. In the end, largely due to very limited up to encourage and give young people from Malta the training time this year from the five sailors which were Melle: Obviously, one has to consider that the crew all have opportunity to go offshore racing. As for the Boat, many selected in 2017, four returned to join the team, with one jobs so they need to take time off from work but that will not J-109’s are often named with a starting letter J. member opting to join another boat. Pascal Pace joined this stop us from trying to compete as much as possible. year, and he was chosen due to him having raced with me in As the ‘adult’ amongst a relatively ‘young’ crew, was this 2016, so I knew his potential and worth. added pressure for you? Well it is a lot of responsibility, the parents all know me! The Foundation is very much focused to grow and give more Joking apart, in this sport it is always about keeping the sailors possibilities to join such races. We hope that in future The ROLEX MIDDLE SEA balance – this time it is the balance of being a fellow crew years we will have more than one boat racing and we are mate but also the skipper, the boss, the guy who says things working to ensure that we have enough resources and the as they are, which at times might not be nice or what the crew ability to grow participation numbers. We are looking forward RACE Experience wants to hear but has to be done anyhow, and with a degree to joining local offshore races as well. of immediacy. As with any leadership role, it is building mutual respect, as crews, as individuals, strengthening the The rest of the crew in the meantime are having a blast, JARHEAD friendship and having a good time as well. I find that all the throwing comments and jokes at each other. They were crew are potential leaders with all having varying abilities that very happy to share their personal experiences of this race, SPINNAKER met the Jarhead Young Sailor’s crew to get a compliment each other. teasing and picking on each other! bit of an insight into Foundation’s background, its overall purpose, team dynamics and the overall Rolex Middle Sea Race Richard, from the photos you sent us on the Crews’ Timo Bonnici – This year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race was a Experience. Whatsapp group, the boys seem to be a messy lot, tell us blast. At Capo Passero we were doing literally 0 Knots, but The crew, made up of Richard Nicolson (Team Leader), Karl more! then on towards Lampedusa we saw wind speeds of 39 Miggiani (Skipper), Timo Bonnici, Craig Farrugia Vella, Daniel They are phenominally untidy!!! I did try to adopt strict rules Knots. Throughout the Race we experienced everything Fenech and Pascal Pace have varying degrees of experience. to ensure that the boat is clean and organised – once this including lightning storms and squalls. These conditions Richard has vast experience in keelboat and match racing whilst goes, chaos ensues – I did find emply juice bottle and partial really test the ability of the crew and boat - I find that I enjoy the rest all hail from an Optimist and Laser Class Background. contents from unfinished snack bars. Having said that, this helming in lighting winds whilst for example Karl [Miggiani] For some this is the second Rolex Middle Sea Race having year was a slight improvement over the last year! [Editor’s likes stronger winds. These kind of races really teach you been part of Jarhead’s first foray in the RMSR in 2017 when note… the room, previously filled with laughter from the what you do best! they retired at the infamous Messina Strait. boys’ goes silent]. I did threaten to throw their stuff overboard if not stowed in the correct place, and only our strong respect Craig Farrugia Vella – We have all been sailing since we Richard, with last year’s retirement still relatively fresh in for the environment did I refrain from doing so…. were kids and we are all best friends. Knowing the crew your memory, was there any degree of apprehension this from before is a bonus, as we know each others’ strengths year, especially since bad weather was being forecasted? On a more serious note, how was the team selected? and weaknesses and the approach each will take in difficult I have been a regular participant of the Rolex Middle Sea It was based largely on last year’s selection process, where conditions. We are confident sailors. The best part of the race Race. I have registered retirements, finished and had good last year twelve potential sailors were considered. This year, is the liberty and ease to share ones emotions and of course and bad results as well. In 2017, Jarhead’s retirement was we followed the same process where an invitation via the the general banter that never stops!

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Pascal Pace - We were pleased with the pre-race training placings, if the boat wasn’t doing very well he would keep and our morale was generally high. We were comfortable this information to himself, but would take motivation from and open with each other which made giving orders to each other boats’ progress. other a non-issue since we all knew what we were all doing. We are all sailors who grew up sailing together, progressing There is no doubt that the dynamics between this group from the Optimist Class and moving up as we grew older, shows potential for positive future results, but will this Going for the bond between us is strong. It was quite a wonderful actually progress into something bigger or will the Double Olympic Gold-Medallist Shirley Robertson OBE made it intoGold the history books by becoming the first British experience to finish the race and be welcomed by other enthusiasm fade once the crews go back to their work and woman to win two Olympic gold medals at consecutive games, in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. SPINNAKER chats crews, who although having retired, were pleased to see us studies. What is next for Jarhead Young Sailors? Will this with Shirley about the start of her career and how it progressed. complete the race. crew be competing in other races or are you looking at recruiting more crews ? How will that work out? Daniel Fenech & Karl Miggiani – we really don’t have issues The Foundation has picked up the momentum and there selection, all the things that make up a successful to give orders, calling on each other and working with the will be a drive to get more people to join the Foundation. campaign, and then the Olympic Regattas themselves. boat, letting each other know what is what – constantly This winter will be all about regrouping and focusing on the The agony of a fourth-place finish in Atlanta, a life checking on and following each other, making sure that Foundation’s strategy. Our ambition for the more experienced changing disappointment that was a make or break everyone is ok. crews, is to provide opportunites for them to compete in moment in my life. It taught me a lot - how to learn from as many of the Mediterranean offshore races as possible, my mistakes, how to be honest about my weaknesses, The crew, also had a point to prove to Zach Zammit, who this potentially get two boats to compete against each other. how to really maximise all the time you have, and that year competed on Sean Borg’s Xpresso. There was incessant generally, the people who perform have largely worked teasing between the Jarhead crew and Zach, and we would In 2019, our number one target will get people who have never the hardest at the important stuff with a smart motivated have loved him to be around! sailed or have limited sailing experience to start sailing regularly. team around them – there is no easy fix.

Are there any superstitions within the group? The Foundation, will also look at partnering with similar For the last three Games, I’ve been out on the water, At this point, all boys point to Richard, who explained foundations and charities in the United Kingdom to provide watching the action, reporting into the live coverage on that it was definitely no whistling – a seafarers’ historical opportunities for training– inshore day racing – leadership, the BBC – hoping to give sailing some prime-time air time superstition. Rather than a supersition, Richard adds that team building, round the cans. We hope that this experience Sailing has been in your blood since starting at age 7, how and give the British heroes of our sport the moment in definitely in future there will be no bananas on board. Having can also be shared in Malta with Royal Malta Yacht Club crews did you get into sailing? the limelight they deserve. It’s a privileged position, often been convinced that the boys liked bananas he over stocked so that it will help to develop inter localised inshore racing My Dad was introduced to sailing during his national service we’re the first interaction the sailors have after a race – win this fruit... too many as a result. because the local fleet is not that big this could help develop it. and then later encouraged by a friend, he built a kit sailing or lose its emotional, and important from my end to get dinghy. It turns out he wasn’t terribly proficient but that right. Living at close quarters in restricted space, it seems didn’t hold him back! There was much capsizing, but it was obvious that some pet peeves are present. Any particular Background on the Foundation a lot of fun! I instantly loved it. ones that you care to share? Created to provide a fully funded keeboat sailing and Pascal explained that whilst he wasn’t bothered about eating, racing program primarily for young Maltese people The first boat I sailed was a Mirror Miracle, a kit boat that food dynamics with Daniel, with whom he was sharing shifts whom have not experienced the sport of sailing and you could build with flat sheets of ply wood and then glue were not working. Daniel was constantly thinking about food, the opportunity for existing young sailors to graduate and stitch the joins. DIY in the UK in the late 70’s was all what he was going to order when they finished the race etc up from the dinghy classes. the rage. It was cheap, easy to transport and ideal for etc. Timo went on to explain that the general banter and sailing and fishing or just generally messing about in. We picking on always ended up on Karl, however the crews In December 2018, the Foundation sponsored Daniel lived near Stirling in Scotland, so nowhere near the sea but decided to give him a break after Capo Passero and resulted Fenech’s participation in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart we would sail it on holidays and then later we club raced in shifting focus on Daniel. Karl is very social media oriented, Race. Daniel joined the crew of “Jarhead Wot Eva”. it on a lake. so off shift, as he is quick to point out, he was constantly The crew successfully completed the race, finishing checking what was happening elsewhere – he points out a very respectable fourth in the performance-based When I was about 13 my Dad bought a tiny cruising boat, that he charged his mobile three times more than the others handicap category. only 19 feet long and together with my mum and the did! He went on to explain that he would be looking at live Yorkshire terrier we would cruise the west coast – not that sure the dog enjoyed it that much. When I was 14 I was spotted by the Scottish Laser Coach who invited me to join the senior team that winter for training – that was my big break, not sure he saw that much talent but definitely bundles of tenacity.

Tell us about the Olympic dream and experience.... Success in the Olympic arena is a Gold medal – simple as that – and the opportunities to make that happen are rare – for me, in the end, it worked out. Actually, it worked out twice. But it took time. Four Olympic campaigns, four fights for selection, funding, sponsorship, personnel

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Working in an environment which is all about sailing, Do People would tend to think that your job is a glamorous Any suggestions or motivational words for young people environment, and a great leveller. I was beating boys’ you miss sailing competitively? one, travelling the world, working in a sporting wishing either a career in sailing or in broadcasting? way older than me around race courses as a teenager, I guess the honest answer is at times yes, I miss the single- environment that has given you so much, but there are Do it!! A lot of my sailing was self-taught but there’s so and some of the friends I’ve made through sailing are the minded focus of the Olympic arena. The nervousness the tough moments behind it too...... tell us more about the many more resources available now. Get down to the closest friends I have. before a ‘big one’. reality of doing such a job. nearest sailing club and get involved in a youth sailing programme. And then, most importantly, stick with it. Broadcasting – there are lots of different avenues into the Put a tiller in my hand even now though, and the need to If you love sailing and you love TV then for I sure have Sailing gets you out in the elements, and the reality of that Media world, as an athlete I was always after feedback and be the fastest comes straight back. An Olympic sailing fleet the dream job – we are always in the thick of the action, is that sometimes it is wet, and it is cold, but the feeling of it’s the same now at work, don’t be afraid to ask for advice, is a competitive place to be, and I spent years within that have incredible access to the diverse range of fascinating independence I felt when I sailed alone for the first time, work in an arena you a passionate about, and understand bubble, where from sunrise to sunset everything we did personalities our sport offers.It’s a story rich sport and we in charge of a boat, powered only by the wind, is a feeling how the ‘jigsaw’ of the product is put together, TV in was focused on trying to be the best. If you live like that do our best to make it shine. that is as cherished to me as any memory of any medal particular is a ‘team sport’ - make the editors’ life easy and for a couple of decades, it goes pretty deep. Am not sure ceremony. Importantly too though, sailing is a great social you will quickly build a solid reputation. that always makes me the best Mum, but the kids are old It’s a long way from glamorous – long long days, never enough to laugh at me for it nowadays! time for lunch, never quite enough resources. But it can be so rewarding – a team of people on the same page, I have 12-year-old twins a boy and a girl. My son is now fanatical collaborating, pushing hard to make the best TV - that’s about sailing, so that takes up quite a bit of time, I’ve watched what makes it so compelling. him grow in independence and confidence as a direct result of sailing – it teaches you to be self-reliant, to push outside This was your second visit to Malta and the Rolex Middle your comfort zone and that practise and perseverance delivers Sea Race – how have you seen this race develop and results. He’s also become part of a community, a group of evolve? youngsters with a common passion – and he feels a part of it It’s a joy to film in Malta, It’s a country full of intrigue and all….as a parent it’s heart-warming to watch. My daughter does story, and exceptionally photogenic, the harbour is the love to holiday on a boat – she enjoys making friends along the perfect amphitheatre to set the drama of the race start. way and exploring new places – the actual sailing is less of an It’s also a race with a real sting in it’s tail and that edge is attraction she hates being cold and wet – who can blame her. transparent in the respect the sailors give it – it’s a race with a reputation. I still race on the Superyacht circuit, and would like to do more keelboat sailing in the future when life calms down a bit. The Rolex Middle Sea Race seems more popular than ever.

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feeling since we had many boats around us but their exact location could not be seen – all this was complemented with hail, lightning, thunder and no visibility. After getting The Choice out of the squall we put down the mainsail and headed to Stromboli. The situation on board was miserable – soaking wet and exhausted. After Stromboli we got Unica ship to shape and started a beat towards Palermo but after this we Retire realised that our instruments weren’t working well due to Irrespective of the fact that elements thwarted Rolex Otra Vez the lightning . We kept going as this wasn’t a major issue Middle Sea Race crews’ plans to complete the 39th Skipper & Crew | Sean Arrigo / Brian Flahive at the time. After doing 80 miles, beating 20 -30 knots we edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, their efforts Double Handed Division knew another big heavy cloud was approaching us and due should be lauded. Each race has its own story and to the boat being heeled so much, we couldn’t charge our each boat has their experience to share. SPINNAKER batteries and therefore could not use the autopilot which spoke to some of the Maltese boats taking part in the is absolutely necessary when racing double handed. This race who shared their experience and the decision to strong winds and lots and lots of rain like never before! The made us take the sensible decision of retiring. It is still early retire as well as whether the 2019 Rolex Middle Sea decision to retire was not taken lightly, however our jib luff to say if we will be racing double handed in 2019, but if we Race is on the cards for these crews. groove must have been already compromised since it failed do, it will definitely be the Sammut and Cachia team. after an accidental gybe. This caused a series of events Maltese Falcon II that led to losing all but the mainsail halyard. The return to Xpresso Skipper | Jonathan Camilleri Bowman Malta was equally challenging despite not having the stress Skipper | Sean Borg Crew | Neil Borg, Adrian Connors, Mario Debono, Fabio related to racing. We sailed all the way back from Palermo Crew | Kevin Anastasi, Paul Borg Cardona, Simon Briffa, Galea, Adrian Gauci Borda, Simon Schembri Warrens, with a reefed main since in the mayhem the mainsail luff Andrew Cachia, Hauke Eggert, Alessandro Grech La Matthew Wallace was slightly damaged beneath the reefing point. We will be Rosa, Tim Goodbody, Ben Howett, Zach Mackay, Ollie back in 2019...with a new luff groove! Mellor, Zak Zammit

Unica The race started in a rush. Literally. We left the pontoon Skipper & Crew | Jamie Sammut / John Cachia without our fridge contents for the next few days, then also Double Handed Division left the start line in a big hurry, crossing ahead of most of the other starters being the third boat in our Class rounding the first mark. We held our position pretty much round the second mark and kept ourselves on the windward side of the fleet, a decision which seemed to pay off as we reached the Sicilian coast and gave us a great battle with Unica. Positions changed a little on the next leg to Messina but left the straights pretty much together with the leading boats in our Class 5 and Double Handed boats. The decision to retire was not taken lightly since we came off a wave with a bang and realise that our port D2 shroud came undone. This was the first time we did the Rolex Middle Sea Race We considered climbing up the rig to remedy, but the sea We had a very good start to the race, the morale amongst with the refitted Maltese Falcon II and had very high hopes. conditions made this option way too dangerous. We tried the crew was super high, the boat was read to go! Round We did have a false start so we had to backtrack and go to reach calmer waters by which time we lost our lead and the first mark, we hoisted the Code 0 and everything went through the starting line a second time to be above board were making little headway with just a #4 jib. By now too as we planned. As we got into the night it was a bit of a but other than that the boat performed amazingly and we much time was lost to re-join the race. In 2019 you will see start-stop race for us and as we progressed into the second were ahead of our class all the way until Sicily. We were us at the Lower Barakka. Just joking. We will consider our We had a very late start due to some technical issues, night things started to get awry. We got caught in a bad very happy with the boat’s performance and it handled options, but indeed will try to be back and hopefully put however by the time we got to Capo Passero we were storm, non-stop rain pelting on us, lightning over our heads amazingly well in light winds as well as strong winds. this matter to bed. If we do return it will probably be in the gaining good place. Despite a set back, when we ended and very big gusts. Unfortunately, we broke the main sail Unfortunately between Messina and Stromboli we had high double handed class as we would love to take care of this up in some unmarked fish farms, we still managed to gain track which holds the main sail to the mast. If our troubles winds and bad thunderstorm causing the vang to give way. unfinished business. a good lead by the time we reached Augusta. We took the weren’t enough we ended up puncturing the main sail into The crew voiced some concerns about continuing the race decision to cross to mainland Italy from there but 30 miles the spreaders in the process. As we were approaching so the ultimate decision to retire was taken the following TonTon Malta Charters later we stopped like a duck floating into the sea and rivals stronger winds and high waves, we had to make the call day mid-way between Stromboli and Favignana. As for Skipper | Jonathan Gambin in the Class were catching up on us. When exiting Messina whether to try risking going on or call it a day. The crew 2019, preparations are gearing up at full speed with some Crew | Luke Camenzuli, Renato Camilleri, Federico we were still happy with our position and we gained places were fully understanding of the situation and it was a mutual additional kits, additional performance sails, new crew Grasselino, Rodger Knight, Gregory Mifsud, Raymonds due to a number of tacks to avoid the currents that were decision to retire, we wanted to race not limp back home. member configuration and a rigorous training schedule – Salaks fighting against us. After exiting Messina we were hit by a 50 Although 2019 is a very long time ago, we have all the best the latter being very important since last year the crew did The race started very well, all was going smoothly and the knot squall. With a boat speed of 22 knots going downwind of intentions to race again next year - hopefully stronger not have enough training together. boat was moving fast. The race was marked with rough seas, and not knowing what direction we were going was a scary and faster!

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rudders broke, but luckily we didn’t have any problems with our boat. After what seemed like forever the wind calmed down a bit and the committee told everyone to sail back inside and after all that we didn’t sail any races RMYC Sailing School anyway. We were the only Feva boat that manage to sail back as everyone else had to be towed back because of the wind.

The next day we were excited to sail. We knew it was Nationals Weekend supposed to be windy, very windy. It was discussed if Molly Butler they should cancel the regatta completely, but in the end they decided it was good to sail. The first race was the It was the day of the regatta, and apparently, there was hardest. It was the longest and had the strongest winds, meant to be a storm coming, so we immediately knew however we did managed to win this race! After our that it was going to be very windy. We spent a long time victory we were extremely happy. Unfortunately we lost at home discussing tactics on to win most of the races the next two races. In the last race we knew it was now or today. After, we had to get ready to leave and to sail in never, we had to do something no other Feva would do. around 25 to 30 knots in gusts. When we were driving We decided to pull up the spinnaker, we sailed on, gave to the Club, it started to rain very heavily and started to it our all and didn’t capsize. We didn’t manage to win that flood really badly. After a hard time rigging the boat (and all important last race. We did come second in it, but no getting the sails wet before even launching), we got out more first places. We sailed well in this regatta, and came onto the water and waited by the start line. At first they second place, but we could have sailed better. We are put up the postpone flag and we knew we would have to very excited for the next regatta and know that we will wait a long time. Since the storm was coming, we started do better. to sail to a more sheltered area, the wind started to calm down a bit to 15 knots but there was more to come, the storm started to get closer and closer and darker and darker. We waited and waited, the wind was harsh, the rain poured down heavy and we were freezing cold even with our wetsuits. People were capsizing, sails ripped and The Maiden Factor Young crews from the Royal Malta Yacht Club Sailing School had the opportunity to visit the all-female crewed 58-foot yacht Maiden, which was on a stopover in Malta.

The sailing yacht was in Malta as part of an around the globe mission to raise awareness and funds for girl education projects and the empowerment of women across the globe.

The Sailing School crews were enjoy a detailed tour of the yacht as well as catch up with the crew, led by skipper Nikki Henderson, who was only happy to share their experiences on board and explain what the Maiden Factor is all about. https://www.themaidenfactor.org/

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Since there were more than 80 boats in this regatta, we were split into two groups, the Gold Fleet and the Silver Fleet with 57 boats in each Fleet. The first two days we raced to decide which fleet we would be placed in. We sailed well but we sadly didn’t make it to the Gold Fleet this time.

After our first day of racing we had started to de - rig our RS Feva XL boats, we were so excited after competing, worried about the results and completely exhausted after sailing in European Championships such high winds and waves, but as we washed the sails of our boat someone asked us if we were ok with being The Royal Malta Yacht Club was represented at the RS Feva XL European Championships which were held in Portland, Dorset, by interviewed and so after our first day of sailing in the Feva Vanja Ramm Ericsson and Maia Delin and brother and sister sailing team Molly and Maxi Butler. The Butler siblings share, with European Championships we were interviewed, which we SPINNAKER, their experience in their very own words. thought was very exciting. They asked us how we felt after the first day of the regatta and what were the highlights of our races. This was enough to help us realise that this was a Our names are Molly and Maxi Butler and we are a brother We arrived a few days earlier so we would have time to huge competition and how lucky we were to be a part of it. and sister sailing team. In August of 2018 we competed in train before the competition and when we arrived there was the RS Feva XL European Championships. still the RS Tera boats racing. It was so interesting to watch On the second to last day of the event we were racing and how the races and events worked before we had started were doing ok, I’m not sure what place we were coming but Going into this competition we were good sailors, but at the ours. Rigging our boats was very different to the way it was we were around the middle of the fleet, but then when we regatta we were good sailors among a sea of great sailors. rigged in Malta; one difference is that there is a gybing rope capsized. Capsizing wasn’t so bad as it was a windy day We’d started sailing a year before this competition and now for when we were sailing downwind which helped us not to and many other people had capsized. It wouldn’t have been we were surrounded by people who’d been sailing their capsize. It helps keep the power of the sails under control so bad if we had only half capsized but, unfortunately, we whole lives, people who were used to the high wind speeds in heavy winds. We managed to train with some of the team didn’t get onto the dagger board on time and on top of that and rougher sea. from Germany who were around the same level as us, and we were going downwind and using the spinnaker which on another training day we sailed and raced about 15 other makes it harder to right the boat up. I (Molly at the Helm) The weather in Portland is so different to Malta, instead boats. We’ve never had a problem with starts and actually tried to pull myself up onto the boat but I had gotten my of wearing just our swimsuits we had to wear a wetsuit, in we’ve always been quite good at them but starting with 113 foot tangled in a rope so as I pulled myself up, I stretched summer! And even with a wetsuit we were still cold, so we other boats is very different to starting with six others. I’m my knee ligament, which hurt a lot. This meant that Maxi bought proper sailing jackets to go on top and waterproof so glad we managed to have training sessions with Rüya (crew) had to right the boat all by himself, it took a while, but sailing hats because of the rain. With all that and the [Cakmakli], our coach, before the regatta started as this we did manage to finish the race on time and didn’t come constant movement on the boat we managed to keep warm helped us have a few great starts which put us towards the completely last. After we got back, I had to have a doctor on the Portland Seas. front of the fleet for the first upwind. look at my knee to make sure I could sail the following day. Luckily, I could but had to have pain killers, a bandage and keep ice on it until I went to sleep. The next day we won hats and piggy banks for telling that story.

Competing in this regatta, helped us realise our strengths and weaknesses when looking at the average of the rest of the fleet and we came to the conclusion that we have to get better, much better. We also realised that we were much better at upwind than we are at downwind as we were rounding the upwind mark in the top 30 or even top 20 of our fleet but, we would be overtaken on the downwind. We are glad that we have realised this now and so have lots of time to work on it before the next big competition and hopefully the Feva Worlds next year.

The RS Games is an event that is held every four years and being able to attend this event was incredible. We are so glad we managed to go and feel very lucky to have gone and competed in the RS Feva European championships. Everyone was so nice, we’ve learnt so much from this experience and we will remember this forever. Next year we hope to be able to go to the World Championships in Italy and will train extremely hard to make sure we can go.

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I competed for the first time at Euromed 2018 at Mellieha Euromed was my first International Regatta. It was a MAPFRE MIDDLESEA EUROMED Bay. It was my first international competition after sailing fantastic experience. Mellieha Bay was beautiful, the sun optimist for 7 months representing RMYC with my coach was shining, and we had different winds each day. After Dalton Brauer and 5 team members. I was in the novice spending the first half of my life in Sweden I find it amazing INTERNATIONAL REGATTA group and we had 26 boats competing. to be able to sail in December.

Maia Delin My aim was to complete the 4 days. I had a good start with Before the big regatta we had the chance to do a training gentle winds and sunshine every day except for the last camp for four days to sharpen our race skills with sailors day. It was wonderful to see all the different countries all from many other countries. It paid off and in Euromed I racing together. The beach was full of different nationalities finished 2nd place in one of the races and 13th overall. I rigging boats and enjoying the event. love the tactical part of sailing, making a plan and strategy for each start. With more experience I hope to lead all the I found the racing tough but I managed to keep up. I placed way to the finish line. Sailing is so much fun. I am already in the last 10 boats and next year I hope to make top 5 with looking forward to the next regatta! more experience. It was hard to keep my boat flat on the last windy day with the waves and wind so I hope next year Vanja Ramm Ericsson I will do better. I had a great experience, we were a good team with the best coaches!

Esmeralda Fusini-Davison The Euromed Regatta was my first international regatta in Malta sailing in the Optimist Class. I am a Feva sailor as crew so sailing the Optimist boat was my chance to improve my steering and helming and a great challenge. I was part of a The annual Mapfre Middlesea Euromed International team of five representing the RMYC coached by Dalton Brauer Regatta, hosted by Malta Young Sailors Club in Mellieha and Ruya Cakmakli. The regatta was a four day racing event Bay saw over 200 sailors take part in four days of sailing, with a sailing clinic a few days before. We practiced alongside racing amongst an international fleet. the international teams and became familiar with the course.

The Royal Malta Yacht Club Sailing School was represented The first two days were not at all great sailing for me, I took Sail racing Optimist is quite new to me. Maia Delin and I by Vanja Ramm-Ericsson, Adele Ramm-Ericsson, Maia Delin a while to find my stride and this pushed my position down. normally race in an RS Feva together. Yet I believe it is very and Esmeralda Fusini-Davison. All the crews sailed in the important to not be limited to double handed to pursue a Optimist Novice Group which consisted of a 26 strong fleet of On the third and last day I found my rhythm with some helpful long-term career in sailing. sailors with less than 12 months experience in the class. The tips and pep talks from coaches and my races improved School’s crew performances saw Vanja Ramm-Ericsson finish to finishing in top 10 all 3 races on the last day. The wind In Euromed it took a few races to get it all together, yet by in third place overall and first place in the Females category of was stronger which gave us better sailing conditions and I the end of the first day I ranked 3rd. A position I held until the Class. Whilst Maia Delin was the third female in the class. enjoyed the last two days thoroughly. I would have enjoyed The Euromed was a wonderful experience and I am looking the last race of the third day when a protest suddenly took it more had I beat the dominant Croatian team but I was forward to doing it again in 2019, climbing up higher in the away my position. For the final race of the final day I had to What the young RMYC crews had to say….. pleased with 11 overall and third in girls. rankings. I would have loved to have done more activities win by seven points to get back on to a podium position. outside of racing with all the competitors. Thank you to all Luckily, this race was my very best race in all of the regatta The event was fantastic to be surrounded by so many the support boats and coaches, especially Ruya and Dalton and had a good lead when rounding the last mark which nationalities competing and well organized and I look and my mum, dad and Pippo (my dog and team mascot) lead me all the way to the podium, finishing 1st in the girls forward to next year! Look out Croatia! who are my biggest fans! category and 3rd over all.

Noelle Delin Adele Ramm Ericsson

32 33 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 In the PURSUIT of GROWTH Big year beckons for the Sport Boat Class 2018 was certainly a busy year for the Sport Boat Class. In just about a year, the Class has seen substantial growth in interest and participation from the local sailing crowd.

The Class was set up with the specific purpose of catering for a gap in the local sailing circuit specifically targeted towards smaller yachts and sailing boats that range between 20 and 30 feet, weigh less than two tonnes and which can be manned by a skipper and two to three members. This type of sailing is also much more affordable than the bigger boats.

The Royal Malta Yacht Club Sport Boats Sub Committee has been committed towards this initiative since its inception and has welcomed non-members of the Club to participate in the races, most of which take place in Marsamxett Harbour just in front of the Club or just outside opposite the Sliema front. For the first time ever and thanks to assistance by Transport Malta a weekend event was held in the Grand Harbour. THE BOAT

The more popular Sport Boat model, the SB20 is a one- design class, open keelboat and is designed for racing with a crew of 3 or 4 whose maximum weight must not exceed 270 kg. A high aspect ratio keel and with a very high ballast ratio the yacht is very stable even in extreme conditions, but also quite fast due to the substantial sail area.

“The popularity of this Class is primarily due to the boat enabling people to have the fun and pleasure of sailing, a very affordable one-design Keelboat, where the crew’s ability to sail is what matters.” Robert Ciantar, Honorary Secretary, Royal Malta Yacht Club. “The absolute simplicity of this boat is amazing. Upwind it simply locks into a groove, (which in most boats you have to fight to maintain) while sailing downwind is a dream - an incredibly stable platform with remarkable speed”

Two reasons for its popularity are that the boat has been designed to be sailed legs-in and all the controls are at the crew’s fingertips. Another key feature is that two persons can rig and launch in approximately 45 minutes. The mast is light enough to make raising it a two-man job, allowing the third crewmember to rig the rest of the boat.

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RACING

The Sport Boat Class held several races throughout the year, generally consists of a series of round the cans races spread over two days. Each race takes approximately forty minutes – obviously depending on the prevailing weather conditions on the day. Races this year were held in Birgu, (at the Grand Harbour Marina), Marsamxett at the Royal Malta Yacht Club and in Birzebbugia and the grand finale was held in the Grand Harbour. In November 2018, the Class made its first appearance in Gozo when they joined the keelboat fleet taking part in the BOV Gozo Regatta. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

The Class is not just about racing but takes its social activities very seriously. Each activity starts with an informal briefing over coffee and cakes, whilst post racing there are various activities that range from BBQs in the summer, to drinks and snacks in the colder months. Prize giving is also a noisy and fun affair which attracts quite a few of the crews’ friends who cheer on loudly – making it a competition as to who might be the loudest! SB20 CLASS ASSOCIATION – NEWS

This is in its final stages and should be launched soon. The team is currently fine tuning a class statute which should enable the local class to be part of the SB20 World Council. Apart from the 2019 events calendar there are also a few other ambitious projects which the SB team is working on and more news will be given shortly.

36 37 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 EDWARDS LOWELL OPENS MALTA’S FIRST ROLEX BOUTIQUE

Edwards Lowell and Rolex announced the opening of a Sensitive lighting accentuates the beauty of a wide selection Rolex Boutique that is the first of its kind in Malta. Situated of Rolex models in display cases lined with beige leather The Royal Malta Yacht Club launched its Racing Calendar in Republic Street, Valletta, the Edwards Lowell Rolex with bronze trims. for 2019 with a full programme of inshore and offshore Boutique features an innovative use of Rolex’s signature regattas, catering for keelboats, dinghies and sport boats. aqua pattern and a handcrafted stucco wall with a depiction A striking emerald aqua floor highlights Rolex’s rich The Calendar saw the introduction of three new races – the of Valletta. heritage – its wave motif referencing the iconic Oyster, the Dinghy Winter Challenge Series, the Single Handed Round world’s first waterproof wristwatch. Used as flooring for Comino and the Messina – Syracuse race. The staple offshore The new boutique offers professional expertise in an the first time, the aqua material draws the eye across the regattas on the calendar include the Citadel Ragusa Regatta, elegant setting, one that promotes a sense of harmony, boutique towards handcrafted stucco panels that feature which this year has been moved to April, the Camilleri Marine discretion and intimacy with the brand, which has been a view of Valletta from the sea. The intense green used Marzamemi Weekend which has switched to end of June and setting standards in watchmaking for more than a century. around the boutique creates accents that harmonize a of course the 40th Rolex Middle Sea Race. refreshed colour palette. The space also mixes textures from walnut-brown wood to beige-coloured marble and The Short Handed Series Trophy will be presented to the leather, and includes notable marble counters with leather crew garnering most points in the four short handed races and wood detailing. held over the year. Which include the PVIES Double Handed Round Malta (April), the Single Handed Round Comino Race ABOUT EDWARDS LOWELL CO. LIMITED (May) the Triple Handed Round Gozo Race (June) and the Raymarine Double Handed Figure of Eight (November). “When a man dedicates his life to a company, both become intricately entwined. The business becomes personal, The Coastal Race Series are an informal series of fun especially in the case of a family-owned business.” Malcolm Saturday afternoon races that will start and finish at the A. Lowell, Edwards Lowell Chairman Royal Malta Yacht Club. There is no race fee and the boat placing first in each race gets a bottle of prosecco or a beer Synonymous with luxury since 1925, Edwards Lowell is per crew, and of course bragging rights! renowned for being a fine retailer of a curated selection of the most prestigious brands in the world. From its Race 1 - Saturday 26th January conception over ninety years ago, this family-run business Race 2 - Saturday 16th February has strived to offer its clients the world’s finest products Race 3 - Saturday 9th March alongside unique customer service. The Edwards Lowell Race 4 - Saturday 30th March Rolex Boutique is the first Rolex Boutique on the island and Race 5 - Saturday 25th May is set to be valuable addition to the Edwards Lowell family. Race 6 - (Round Comino) - Sunday 2nd June

Edwards Lowell is looking forward to presenting their esteemed clients with a curated selection of fine timepieces which can be enjoyed and treasured for their unparalleled craftsmanship and ultimately be passed down from generation to generation.

“This is an exciting new chapter in Edwards Lowell’s distinctive history. A singular and world-class project that aims to set new standards in Maltese retail and pave the way for future projects,” Malcolm R. Lowell, Managing Director of Edwards Lowell.

ONE ROLEX BOUTIQUE, A WHOLE ROLEX WORLD

Every element of the interior design features the elegant Rolex aesthetic and radiates the values of the Rolex crown. Excellence, precision and attention to detail emanate from the careful calibration of colours and patterns in the fittings and furnishings.

39 2019 Racing events Calendar

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Sun 1 1 Mon 1 1 Camilleri Marine 2 2 Marzamemi Tue 1 2 2 Summer Cruise 3 1 3 Wed 2 3 1 3 Summer Cruise 4 2 4 Thu 3 4 2 4 Summer Cruise 1 5 3 5 Fri 4 1 1 Carnival 5 3 5 Summer Cruise 2 6 4 1 6 Sat 5 2 2 Carnival 6 PV IES 2H 4 1 6 Summer Cruise 3 7 5 Sport Boats 2 Sport Boats 7 Sport Boats Round Malta Sport Boats Sun 6 3 3 Carnival 7 5 Dinghies 2 Coastal series 7 Summer Cruise 4 8 6 Sport Boats 3 Sport Boats 8 Sport Boats WCT + PG 6 Round Sportboats Comino Mon 7 4 4 Carnival 8 6 3 8 5 9 7 4 9 Tue 8 5 5 9 7 4 9 6 10 8 5 10 Wed 9 6 6 10 8 5 10 Messina - 7 11 Twilight Series 3 9 6 11 Syracuse Thu 10 7 7 11 9 6 11 Messina - 8 12 10 7 12 Syracuse Fri 11 8 8 12 10 7 12 9 13 11 8 13 Medcomms Round Malta Sat 12 9 Sport Boats 9 Coastal Series 3 13 11 Single handed 8 Sport Boats 13 Syracuse - Malta 10 14 Sailing School 12 9 Dinghy Nat. 14 Sport Boats Round Comino Regatta Champ RMYC Sun 13 10 Sport Boats 10 14 12 Mother’s Day 9 Sport Boats 14 Syracuse - Malta 11 15 13 10 Dinghy Nat. 15 Sport Boats Champ RMYC Mon 14 11 11 15 13 10 15 12 16 14 11 16 Tue 15 12 12 16 14 11 16 13 17 15 12 17 Wed 16 13 13 17 15 12 17 14 18 16 RMSR Coastal 13 18 Race Thu 17 14 14 18 16 13 18 15 19 17 14 19 Fri 18 15 15 St. Patrick’s 19 Good Friday 17 14 3H Round Gozo 19 16 20 18 15 BOV Gozo 20 Gozo Regatta Night Race Regatta Sat 19 16 Coastal Series 2 16 St. Patrick’s 20 Easter Round 18 RMYC Ranking 15 20 17 21 Sport Boats 19 Rolex Middle 16 BOV Gozo 21 Gozo Regatta Gozo Dinghy Regatta Sea Race Regatta Sun 20 17 Dinghy Winter 17 St. Patrick’s 21 Easter 19 RMYC Ranking 16 Father’s Day 21 18 22 Sport Boats 20 Rolex Middle 17 BOV Gozo 22 Challenge Gozo Regatta Dinghy Regatta Sea Race Regatta Trophy Mon 21 18 18 Lay day 22 20 17 22 19 23 21 Rolex Middle 18 23 Sea Race Tue 22 19 19 St Patricks 23 21 18 23 20 24 22 Rolex Middle 19 24 Dinghy Regatta Sea Race Wed 23 20 20 24 22 19 24 21 Twilight Series 1 25 Twilight Series 4 23 Rolex Middle 20 25 Christmas Sea Race Thu 24 21 21 25 23 20 25 22 26 24 Rolex Middle 21 26 Boxing Day Race Sea Race Fri 25 22 22 26 Citadel Ragusa 24 21 26 23 27 25 Rolex Middle 22 27 Weekend Sea Race Sat 26 Coastal Race 1 23 23 Sport Boats 27 Citadel Ragusa 25 Coastal Series 5 22 27 24 28 26 Rolex Middle 23 28 Laser Weekend Sea Race event+WCT Sun 27 Intern’l Laser 24 Dinghy Winter 24 Sport Boats 28 Citadel Ragusa 26 23 28 25 29 27 24 29 regatta + WCT challenge WCT Weekend Mon 28 25 25 29 27 24 29 26 30 28 25 30 Tue 29 26 26 30 28 25 30 27 29 26 31 Wed 30 27 27 ` 29 26 31 28 Twilight Series 2 30 27 Thu 31 28 28 30 27 29 31 28 Fri 29 31 28 30 29 Sat 30 Dinghy WCT 29 Camilleri 31 30 Raymarine 2H Coastal Series 4 Marine Fig of 8 Marzamemi Sun 31 Dinghy WCT 30 Camilleri Marine Marzamemi WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019

The Sport Boats Class has been growing from strength to strength and once again the Class will be hosting the New on the Calendar Class Series made up of nine racing weekends throughout the year. The Class is expecting a good participation as Dinghy Winter Challenge Trophy | January - March the number of crews has been increasing steadily since inception in 2017. Organised by the RMYC Sailing School the Winter Challenge Trophy will take place over a period of three months, with a Act 1 | 16th - 17th February total of four racing weekends taking place. Social Act 2 | 23rd - 24th March Three Palaces Festival Launch | July 2018Events Act 3| 13rd - 14th April Race 1 | Saturday 26th January / Sunday 27th January The Royal Malta Yacht Club welcomed the team from Festivals Act 4 | 4th - 5th May Race 2 | Sunday 17th February Malta who launched the Three Palaces Festival at the Club. The Act 5 | 8th - 9th June Race 3 | Sunday 24th February Festival was officially launched in the presence of Hon Dr Owen Act 6| 21st - 22nd September Race 4 | Saturday 30th March / Sunday 31st March Bonnici, Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government, Mr. Act 7| 5th - 6th October Albert Marshall, Executive Chairman of the Malta Arts Council Act 8 | 2nd - 3rd November Single Handed Round Comino | 11th May and the renowned conductor and musical director Mr. Peter Act 9 | 7th - 8th December Manning - those present were entertained by members of the This race is being revived after a very long absence from Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. the racing calendar. A race that definitely put sailors’ skill to the test as they race solo round Comino. This race also contributes points to the Short Handed Series Trophy. Lebanese Night | July 2018 Messina – Syracuse Race | 10th – 11th July The Lebanese Night, held in conjunction with our friends at the Yacht Cafe, was another sell out success. A thoroughly pleasant The Messina – Syracuse Race is the result of a Twinning evening on the Club’s roof saw members and friends tuck into a Agreement that the Club signed last year with the mouth-watering selection of Lebanese delicacies which included Associazione Mononautica e Velica Peloritana in Messina. Hummus, Muhammara, Ztatsiki, Falafel, Vine leaves, Meat and The race will take place two days before the historic Malta- Ricotta fatayer, Arayes, Haloumi cheese and a selection of side Syracuse race, which this year will start in Syracuse and salads. Baklawa completed the evening on a sweet note. finish in Malta, where prize giving for the two races will take place. The Races are being organised in conjunction Corinne Vella’s belly dancing skills were enjoyed by those with the Lega Navale Italiana (Sezione Siracusa) and the present and nearly got some members to join her on the Comune di Messina. Prize Giving for the two races will take dancefloor. place in Malta on Sunday 14th July.

More details on the Royal Malta Yacht Club Calendar of Events is found on the Club’s website – www.rmyc.org Sicilian Wine Tasting | August 2018 Despite the rain’s attempt to thwart our plans for the sold-out Sicilian Wine Tasting evening, in the end all was well that ended well. Guests enjoyed the Sherezade, an ‘easy to drink’ Nero D’Avola with scents of berries and cherries and a balsamic touch and the Sur of the Grillo grape variety, with notes of white peaches and grapefruits combined with hints of aromatic herbs.

Complimenting these wines were a selection of Sicilian nibbles that included pizzotti, savoury croissants, arancini, pizzas and a selection of Sicilian ‘dolci’ to wrap up the event on an even sweeter note! Wines were kindly sponsored by S. Rausi Trading Ltd.

End of Summer Party | September 2018 The annual end of Summer Party, held on the Club’s roof brought together members and friends to close off a hectic summer in style. Thai Curry frangances wafted in the air, as guests enjoyed a specially prepared buffet. DJ Francesco entertained the crowds until the early hours of the morning!

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This year saw a slow start in light North Easterly winds, 58th Malta – Syracuse Race Results where all boats headed towards a windward mark followed by a straight route towards Syracuse. As predicted light IRC 58 YEARS YOUNG conditions persisted throughout the day and the wind 1st Squalo Bianco (Concetto Costa) dropped completely at sunset for about two hours, testing 2nd Inspiration (Godwin Zammit) the patience of the fleet. A new wind from the West filled in 3rd Time Out (Mario Sant) THE MALTA – SYRACUSE REGATTA enabling the fleet to resume good progress towards Capo Passero and up along the coast. Closer to Capo Murro di ORC Regata-Crociera A The 58th edition of the Malta – Syracuse Race, hosted by Porco the wind veered back to the North East and the fleet 1st Ottovolante (Maurizio Mancuso) the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Lega Navale Italiana had to beat the last 15 miles to the finish off Syracuse. 2nd Safran Rouge (Oliviero Emaldi) (Sezione Siracusa) saw a fleet of nearly forty boats leave the 3rd Skin (Giovanni Pavia) start line just outside Marsamxett Harbour. Dating back to The leading group of eight boats finished between 8:40 the sixties, this race is the oldest race on the Club’s calendar and 9:00hrs on Sunday morning. The first to claim line ORC Regata-Crociera B and always attracts a good number of boats. The start of the honours was Maurizio Mancuso’s Ottovolante, another 1st Capitani Coraggiosi (Federico Arcucci) 85 nautical mile race alternates each year, one year starting regular participant of this race. He crossed the finish line 2nd Squalo Bianco (Concetto Costa) from Malta and the next starting from Syracuse. in Syracuse at 8:41 after 22 hours of racing. The remaining 3rd Inspiration (Godwin Zammit) boats followed throughout the rest of the morning with the Typically, Sicilian boats make up most of the fleet, however last boat finishing at 13:10hrs. ORC Gran Crociera A Maltese boats do join to make the most of the opportunity 1st Meltem (Alberto Piazza) to compete against international crews. The race always The Prize Giving was held at the Lega Navale in Porto 2nd Duc in Altum (Francesco Giacalone) combines an interesting mix of past and present. Returning Piccolo on the Sunday Evening. 3rd Isola (Alessia Di Trapani) crews whose names have been on this race’s fleet list for a number of years and welcoming into the fold new names ORC Gran Crociera B and faces. 1st San Mary (Roberto Galli) 2nd Mayda (Luigi Consoli) Names like that of Alberto Piazza are thoroughly familiar 3rd Mizzica (Giuseppe Petrolito) having raced on this circuit for many years on boats like Spirit of Shardana and Nautilus. This year Piazza raced on Meltem. His infinite knowledge of Maltese and Sicilian waters was put into the test which he passed with flying colours having won the Overall ORC and Gran Crociera Categories. Amongst the fleet was Massimo Savoca’s Dreamer Tech, current record course holder. The weather gods seem to want to keep the current record, which was established in 2014, firmly in place. From the local side, amongst the participants, Club Commodore Godwin Zammit (Inspiration) continued to add another edition of this race to his racing CV.

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ElusiveOverall winner of the 2018 BOV Gozo Regatta2

The annual BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta is always welcomed in this race. For the first time in its history, the race fleet by crews, hyped up by the excitement of the Rolex Middle welcomed the Sport Boat Class, with Nick Portelli’s Maltese Sea Race and wanted to race following a short break in Musketeers emerging winners of the Class. October. Fifteen boats took part, resulting in the Podesta siblings’ Elusive 2 take overall honours. Stefan Abela from Bank of Valletta’s PR and Community Department and Godwin Zammit, Commodore of the Royal Racing in the IRC Racer Class 1, the Podesta siblings Malta Yacht Club presented the trophies to the winners were in a class of their own throughout. Elusive 2 was the with Maya and Christoph Podesta receiving the BOV Gozo first boat at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo in the passage race Regatta trophy for the third time following their wins in 2015 from Marsamxett Harbour on Friday 23rd November. With and 2016. Christoph Podesta at the helm, Elusive 2’s crew made the most of the strong winds to tackle the race courses set ‘Congratulations to all the participating boats and crews, out by principal race officer Peter Dimech to win 3 of the especially to ‘Elusive 2’ on their third win in this race,’ 4 other races and taking the overall title with a healthy said Stefan Abela. ‘We are delighted to see a healthy margin. participation in this race, and also the participation of the Sports Boat Class for the first time”. In IRC Racer Class II, Maltese Falcon 2, skippered by Jonathan Camilleri Bowman was first in all races, winning “The BOV Gozo Regatta is always welcome among the the Class. The IRC Cruiser class was a closer affair with sailing community, being the first race following the Peter Ellul Vincenti’s Manana slightly edging Ferdinand grueling Middle Sea Race’ explained Royal Malta Yacht Grech’s Kon Tiki for the Class victory. Club Commodore, Godwin Zammit. ‘We were delighted to have a new class, the Sport Boats participating in this race, In the Club Cruiser class, Anthony Miggiani’s Gioia edged as well as to see foreign boats choosing to stay in Malta to Ivan Leone’s Segno D’Aria, the only foreign boat to compete enjoy the island and its seas.’

46 47 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 BOV Gozo Regatta Results

IRC Racer 1 & Overall

1st Elusive 2 Aaron, Christoph, Maya Podesta 2nd Otra Vez Aaron Gatt Floridia 3rd Xpresso Sean Borg

IRC Class 2

1st Maltese Falcon II Jonathan Camilleri Bowman

IRC Cruiser

1st Manana Peter Ellul Vincenti

Club Cruiser

1st Gioia Anthony Miggiani

Sport Boat Class

1st Maltese Musketeers Nicolai Portelli

48 49 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 SAILING | MOTOR | CATAMARAN ROYAL MALTA YACHT CLUB receives courtesy visit by Speaker of the NEW ZEALAND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Royal Malta Yacht Club received a courtesy visit by the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, who was representing New Zealand at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers (CSPOC) in Malta in January.

A sailing enthusiast, the Rt. Hon. Mallard took the opportunity to meet with Commodore Godwin Zammit, Hon. Secretary Robert Ciantar and various members present at the Club. QUALITY FIRST - THE NEW ERA Quality first and efficiency in production is the new strategic approach that will be applied by Capital Management Partners (CMP), private German equity fund and new owners of Bavaria Yachtbau Gmbh. CMP intends to capitalise on the success achieved by the new models introduced by Bavaria in recent years; models that brought features to the boats that are practical and attractive but at the same time remaining very competitively priced.

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Tel: (+356) 9933 8080 (+356) 2138 5678 Level -5, Portomaso Marina | Portomaso St. Julians Mobile: + 356 9933 8080 Email: [email protected] WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019

Licata is actually very Maltese. It’s obvious that the Maltese DNA prevails here, even by the large amount of Maltese surnames. Apparently there were two inflows of Maltese who decided to stay in 1565 to escape the impeding Great Siege of Malta, and again in the 1600’s after the Great Earthquake that shook and destroyed half of Sicily and also brought down the old Mdina Cathedral.

The next day, our Licata friends took us on a tour of the city, including a meeting with the Mayor and City council. It was a cordial meeting but not without undertones. The Licatese are fairly upset that the Malta-Licata catamaran service was never developed further. They have a fine harbour that is crying for it, and Licata, whilst lacking the investment that is transforming the Ragusa hinterland, is no less fascinating. PUSH YOUR It so happens that Scoglitti also celebrates Santa Maria as its As we progressed with our tour, it was surprising with the feast, and the whole town was en’ fete. Hundreds of people amount of links to Malta Licata has, as well as the beauty of thronged its square and restaurants and the beaches were the city itself. The Mayor expressed a wish that we would full of people. SAILING ENVELOPE help strengthen business links, and as Vice President of the Malta chamber of SME’s I will take it upon myself to see this Thankfully it was quite windy, which made it comfortable The Club’s Annual Summer Cruise eight boats cross over to Sicily for the annual rendezvous, taking a break from the happening! during the day. hectic racing calendar. Mario Debono, shares his experience with SPINNAKER The local council threw open all the sites that would normally The next day, Santa Maria, I celebrated my birthday. It was The Royal Malta Yacht Club in conjunction with the Sliema seas and no wind resulted in the fleet having to motor all be closed on a Ferragosto Monday. We visited churches, also time to bid farewell to some of the crews and prepare Lions Club organised the annual summer cruise to the the way. museums and even a tour of the city and hinterland by to welcome other crews who were joining us the next day. South coast of Sicily visiting the ports of Licata, and Scoglitti car, naturally punctuated with another fine beach lunch RMYC Club Secretary Robert Ciantar and his crew on Nauti before returning to Malta. This was a cruise in company with The fleet were welcomed at Licata Marina and were berthed organised by our new Licata friends and their families, Piero Buoy came into port after a rather spirited sail. Despite the aim of raising funds towards financing the training of a by 6pm. Our Italian Lions Club friends from Licata welcomed and Agostino. not being too much of an enthusiastic sailor, our beloved service dog for persons with visual impairments. us with some with some very good Italian delicacies, Club Manager Alana landed in Scoglitti ready to enjoy terra followed by a welcome drink hosted by the Licata Marina A word on Licata Marina. It’s a beautiful Marina leading to a ferma! The Cruise kicked off on the 10th August with a fundraising management. A dinner followed which enabled us to mingle hinterland that is not usually explored by yachtsman. This is BBQ on the Club’s Terrace, the BBQ doubled up as send off and form new friendships with ease. a pity. There are many sights to see and the marina, although As we were preparing for our departure the next day, we party for those boats departing the next morning. The BBQ apparently under compulsory administration by the council, joined forces for our final meal of our trip followed by a was also attended by friends from Licata who promised us a A relaxed start on the next day, saw us head off for a leisurely is quite well organised. The shipyards around it intend to rather long pause for gelato, coffee and a concert by the warm welcome upon our arrival in their home port. lunch at Scala Dei Turchi. On the way we anchored, stopped market themselves in Malta for wintering Maltese boats. Pooh tribute band…. for a swim and then stopped for a lunch provided by our From what I’ve been told, their rates are, in my opinion, very At the stroke of midnight, the first boats left Malta. The Licata friends. And what a lunch it was. We were treated to reasonable. The next day at 7 am, we left the Nauti Buoy crew and indomitable Brian Darmanin on 4US, Ben Gundry on the best Licata had to offer. departed for Malta. We sailed nearly all the way in very Maximus as well as Antonio Variale on his Italian racing Unfortunately all this time in Licata left us in a bit of a favourable winds, keeping in close contact with each other. machine B5. At the break of dawn, I led the flotilla on my Sunday was spent in total relaxation but more was to come. quandary. We had to go to Sciacca next but time was Despite a bit of a swell, the wind was perfect and the fleet Sun Odyssey 45, Janissah, followed by Simon Ciantar on In the evening we were treated to another fine dinner at a running out for some of us. The next day, Tuesday, we saw a was averaging around 8 knots. We all made port safely Gallivander, Richard Tua on Tua 2, and Saro on Segno nearby fish restaurant called E’ Logico, whose owner proudly bit more of Licata and decided to make a run for Scoglitti, as within half an hour of each other. D’Aria. In total 8 boats made the crossing to Licata. Glassy said he is, like many from Licata, of Maltese origin. we were not too sure that we had places there. Ferragosto was approaching and any empty places would soon be The RMYC Summer Cruise came to a close on Saturday 18th gobbled up. Although Segno D’Aria did make it to Sciacca, August when both Clubs organised another get together the rest of us decided on Scoglitti. To further strengthen again at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The RMYC organised our decision, thunderstorms and high winds under squalls a number of prizes for various fun categories, something were being experienced all the way up to Sciacca and not which was greatly appreciated by all! all boats could take that. All in all it was a very successful cruise. New friends were We made Scoglitti on Tuesday in one easy hop. Scoglitti is made and old friendships reinforced. A straw poll of the a small but very welcoming village and is home to three of participants indicated that Greece or the North of Sicily the best fish restaurants in Sicily. Once again it was time to should be on the agenda for cruising. relax – enjoying good food, visiting each other’s boats to chat, socialise and have a drink or two! Thank you for making it such a memorable cruise!

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ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and Trophée Bailli Rolex Maxi 72 World Championship Yachting Malta The Costa Smeralda provides a stunning setting and a The situation was similar in the Mini Maxi group 2 where de uffren variety of challenging conditions for the Maxi Yacht Rolex H2O,owned by Riccardo de Michele received prizes as top S The Trophée Bailli de Suffren is a tribute to the Bailli de Cup. The first Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (known then as the Maxi scoring YCCS member and IMA member. Joining him on the Suffren de Saint-Tropez, Vice Admiral of the French Royal World Championship) was held in Sardinia in 1980. Similar podium were the Swan 65 Shirlaf owned by Giuseppe Puttini Navy under King Louis XVI, Captain of the fleet and the to the Rolex Middle Sea Race the regatta is now an early and Marietta Strasoldo’s Swan 651 Lunz Am Meer, who Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta. anticipated event attracting a sizeable fleet of majestic maxi also took home the trophy presented by the newly formed yacht each September. 2018 marked the 29th edition of the Association of Swan Classics by Freres. A cruising race of about 580 nautical miles leaving from event and included the much-vaunted Rolex Maxi 72 World Saint-Tropez, heading towards Porto Rotondo in Sardegna, Cup. Italo Screpanti gives us his report. th 20 Rolex Swan Cup – Another successful edition proceeding on towards Trapani in Sicily before officially finishing the race at Mġarr Marina in Gozo. There were forty-one yachts racing in a week of beautiful One hundred and ten Swans representing seventeen nations sailing days. crowded the sparkling blue water surrounding the Costa The day after their arrival in Gozo, the fleet sailed to Malta, Smeralda. berthing at the Marina di Valletta, in time for the Prize Giving Hong Kong-born Canadian Terry Hull who emerged the evening held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, which was unexpected winner on his debut with the new W80 Lyra: The overall winners in their respective categories were Plis- hosted in conjunction with Yachting Malta. “I am new to this world and I am learning a lot. My biggest Play in the Maxi Class, One Group in the Club Swan 50 World reward was meeting all the great people here. As regards Championship, Porron IX in the Swan 45 Class , Mela in the The coveted “Sword of Honor of Admiral Satan” remained in to my winning debut, I think we had a good team, we had a Club Swan 42 Class, Solte in the Grand Prix Division and Six the hands of Oren Nataf who won the seventeenth Trophée little bit of luck and my team compensated for my mistakes. Jaguar in the Sparkman & Stephens class. In the eighteen Bailli de Suffren 2018 with Stiren. Racing in Porto Cervo is beautiful!” boat Maxi class the Swan 80 Plis-Play was victorious ahead of two Swan 601s - Steven Cucchiaro’s Flow and Gerard Logel’s The Spirit of Tradition Class was won by Alain Monnier on The Rolex Maxi 72 Championship win had already been Arobas. The first ever world championship for the Club Swan Ecbatane. Monnier was presented with the “Sword of the mathematically assigned with one day in advance, to Momo, went to One Group , who dominated throughout the week. Jedi” trophy reserved for modern yachts with three race owned by YCCS member Dieter Schoen, in front of Dario wins. Ferrari’s Cannonball. Cameron Dunn, tactician of One Group, commented “It was an incredible last day race against Leonardo Ferragamo’s Winner in the Super Maxi Class was the J-Class Topaz, Courdileone and Morten Kielland’s Mathilde . In the start of followed by Velsheda and Svea These majestic and elegant last race there were all three boats on equal points, so all yachts, designed in the 1930’s to compete for the America’s possible winners of the title. We tried to stay calm and focused Cup, sailed together with ultra-modern superyachts using but at the same time having fun. We kept it all together right the ORC system of corrected time. till the very end, we couldn’t be happier!”

Nacho Postigo, Topaz’s navigator, commented: “It has been a Winner of the Rolex Swan Cup and second time World beautiful and hard-fought week and we are very happy even Champion of Swan 45 Class was Spanish entry Porron IX, if it was not easy. Starting with the fact we raced under the owned by Luis Senis with Hugo Rocha on tactics. In second ORC instead of the J-Class rating system and this, forced us place was Germany’s Elena Nova whilst third place went to to make choices on our trim that were a bit risky.” Dutch yacht Motions.

The Maxi Class was dominated by the Southern Wind 82 The Club Swan 42 Mela owned by Andrea Rossi, with Enrico Grande Orazio owned by Massimiliano Florio, who clinched Zennaro tactician won the Rolex Swan Cup and the European the win in front of Vera and Rambler. Florio explained - “It was title ahead of Natalia and Selene Halifax. a long-awaited victory and well deserved because we sailed really well. However, we did not expect to win a day earlier! The Sparkman & Sephens Class has the most entries with This was in part due to the favourable wind conditions for our twenty six boats. With top three finishes Anthony Ball’s Six relatively heavy boat and this result makes me very happy.” Jaguar own the Rolex Swan Cup followed by Giuseppe Puttini’s Shirlaf and the Spanish Libelula. Amongst the Mini Maxi Group 1 boats, Roberto Lacorte’s Supernikka had also already ensured victory one day in The Award in Memory of Vittorio Codecasa, YCCS member advance ahead of the Swan 601 Lorina 1895 and Wallyno, and Past President of Swan 45 Class, went to Leonardo owned by Benoit de Froidmont. Ferragamo as the Top-Placed YCCS member.

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Last year’s winners Jamie Sammut and John Cachia racing on the Solaris 45 Unica, attempted a repeat performance and kept pushing till the end. Despite a wrap on the spinnaker at the end, the Sammut/Cachia duo managed a Class win.

A Prize Giving evening was held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of crews, members and friends. Christian Ripard of RLR Yachting, agents of Raymarine in Malta presented prizes to the winners.

Raymarine Double Handed Figure of Eight Results

Overall & IRC Class 2 1st Seawolf of Southampton (Dave Latham / Philippe Farr) 2nd Escape (Georges Bonello Dupuis / Dennis Gatt) 3rd Fast Forward (Mark Vassallo / David Anastasi) IRC Class 1 1st Unica (Jamie Sammut / John Cachia) 2nd Elusive 2 (Aaron Podesta / Christoph Podesta) 3rd Xpresso (Sean Borg / Matthew Agius Delicata) SEAWOLF RMYC Club Cruisers 1st Velina (Paulo Giummara / Gaetano Salafia) of Southampton etches name on Raymarine 2nd Waki Waki (Tom Bonello Ghio / Tom Sammut Alessi) Double Handed Figure of Eight Trophy 3rd Gioia (Anthony Miggiani / Karl Miggiani)

David Latham and Philippe Falle on Seawolf of Southampton skippered the Pronavia 38 to victory at the Jamie Sammut | UNICA annual Raymarine Double Handed Race organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. We started the Raymarine Double Handed race in managed to reach the leading boats even though we 0 knots of wind but we could see that a squall was had a wrap on the spinnaker by the time we got to the A sizeable fleet started the two-man race on Saturday 1st building up from Valletta side as. The wind went up harbour. December with a forecast of light winds, so much so that from 0 to approximately 30 knots, where our situation Race Officer Peter Dimech decided to shorten the course to ended up in us fighting to get the Code 0 down. The We only managed to finish five minutes after the a figure of eight around Comino. strong wind and our attempt to keep the boat going leading boat, resulting in us winning our Class on down wind, caused us to end up behind the fleet and corrected time. Setting off at 8am the fleet were hit by a forceful squall and nearly heading towards Sicily instead of the Munxar heavy rain which caused a degree of disarray on a number Buoy. After managing to put down the sail, we started of boats. The blustery conditions continued with winds up heading on a beat to Munxar Buoy in approximately 17 to thirty knots to the South of Malta followed by a violent knots of breeze. After Munxar Buoy near the Delimara thunder storm that engulfed the back markers in the fleet fish farms the wind started picking up and we had a resulting in several retirements. strong beat towards Filfla.

The later part of the race rewarded the brave with fairer After Filfla we knew that our chances of winning were winds and clearing skies to see the finishers crossing the not as we would like them to be but we kept on pushing line in daylight. until the very end. As we turned round Comino, we flew through the channel and realised that boats The first boat to cross the finish line was the First 45 Elusive ahead of us were slowing down as they were coming 2 skippered by Aaron and Christoph Podesta, however in between two winds. We kept on pushing as we knew the end it was the Latham/Falle duo on Seawolf, who, on that from past experiences this race is never over until corrected time, took victory in their Class as well as the it is really over. The boats ahead slowed down and we coveted overall winner’s trophy, etching their names in the were coming from the back and a westerly breeze. We history of the race.

56 57 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 Dave Latham | SEAWOLF of Southampton The annual round Malta and Gozo, double handed race took place on Saturday 1st December 2018. Race Officer Peter Dimech took the decision to shorten the course to a figure of eight around Comino Island due to a forecast for light winds. The fleet of 20+ yachts set off at 0800hrs and were straight away hit by a forceful squall and heavy rain as they passed Valletta Harbour, causing chaos onboard many yachts! The blustery conditions continued with winds up to 30 knots to the South of Malta followed by a violent thunder storm that engulfed the back markers in the Malta Altus Challenge accepted as challenger for 36th America’s Cup fleet resulting in several retirements. The latter part of the race rewarded the brave with fairer winds and The first ever challenger for the America’s Cup from the Royal and international sailors as allowed under the Protocol for the clearing skies to see the finishers crossing the line in Malta Yacht Club has been accepted by the defender trustee, 36th America’s Cup. daylight. Seawolf took victory in Class and was placed the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. as overall winner, a great result after a hard days “The Malta Altus Challenge project is a very exciting one for racing…what happened to the light wind forecast is Malta Altus Challenge becomes the fourth challenger for the Malta,” said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. “We look forward anybody’s guess! 36th America’s Cup, joining challenger of record Luna Rossa to cooperate further to see this vision become a reality.” (Circolo della Vela Sicilia), American Magic (New York Yacht Club) and INEOS Team UK (Royal Yacht Squadron). As a late entry and with a restricted budget compared to the other existing challengers, the team is planning on a The team principal is Pasquale Cataldi, an Italian businessman one-boat campaign and Cataldi says he is looking to the who is based in Malta, and the founder and CEO of the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand for inspiration. multinational real state and development company, Altus. “We don’t need to be the biggest team. We want to stay Cataldi is aware of the scale of the challenge of the America’s focussed on what we have to do to succeed and be smart Cup, especially for a first time challenger, and he says he is with how we use our resources,” he said. “We have already taking a long-term approach to building towards success. seen in the past how a similar approach by New Zealand allowed a smaller team to defeat bigger rivals.” “Our goal is to do three editions of the America’s Cup. If you want to build a strong team, then you need to commit to Malta, with a population of just under 500,000 people, three America’s Cup cycles. I think everyone in this edition now becomes the smallest country to challenge for the is in it for the long-term. We have a new class, so the game America’s Cup in its 167-year history, a title previously held is level for everybody, and the differences are not so much,” by New Zealand, a three-time winner of the oldest trophy in he explained. international sport.

The Malta Altus Challenge will be led by experienced “We’re happy to welcome the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the America’s Cup hands with an eye on developing local Malta Altus Challenge to the 36th America’s Cup,” said Grant talent in Malta in the fields of design and engineering, and Dalton, the CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand. “We know boatbuilding. The sailing crew will include nationals of Malta what it is like to be a small team facing long odds in taking on one of the biggest challenges in sport and we wish them the best.”

“This is a massive opportunity for our club to promote Malta and the skills that exist in the marine industry on a global stage,” said Godwin Zammit, the Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. “On behalf of the Club, I’d like to thank the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand for their assistance throughout the challenge process and we can’t wait to get down there and start racing in December of 2020.”

The Malta Altus Challenge will present its full team at a launch event in Malta in the first quarter of 2019.

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a slight advantage over Elusive 2, however some tactical moves and slight windshift, Elusive 2 were back leading the ELUSIVE 2 DOES IT AGAIN! way progressing to a comfortable lead. As they reached Fourth consecutive win at the annual Medcomms Round Malta Race Torri L-Abjad, the crew took conservative decisions to safeguard and protect the gap they managed to obtain against the likes of Xp-Act and Jonas Diamantino’s The Podesta siblings, Aaron, Christoph and Maya sealed Comanche Raider III. their fourth consecutive victory at the annual Medcomms Round Malta Race. First to cross the line was Elusive 2, second was Comanche Raider II And third was Xp-Act. However once corrected Being the last race on the Royal Malta Yacht Club racing time was taken it was Elusive 2, followed by Jamie Sammut’s calendar, this race attracted the crowds as a large fleet. The Unica and Xp-Act to take the top three overall placings. nearly thirty strong fleet set off from Marsamxett Harbour, early on Republic Day, in what was described as near In IRC 2 it was a win for Dave Latham’s Seawolf of perfect and glorious weather despite a bit of a slow start. Southampton, followed by Mario Sant’s Time Out and Ray Schembri’s Sailaway. In the IRC Cruiser’s division Peter Ellul The race start was almost a drift with barely a breath of wind Vincenti’s Manana took top honours. Ferdinand Grech’s Kon but fortunately the breeze filled in by the time the fleet left Tiki and Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration were second and third the Grand Harbour on a southbound course around the respectively. In the RMYC Cruiser Class, Iain Muir’s Alma of island. Charles Borg Barthet’s August Rush dominated the Lymington emerged clear winner, followed by Jean Claude start and took an early lead. Uhlenhaut’s Sanaa and Kevin Pisani Zammit’s Dimm.

However, as the race progressed, Elusive 2, skippered by Prize Giving took place at the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Podesta siblings took the lead with Josef Schultheis’ prizes were presented to the winners by Petar Maksimovic, Xp-Act in hot pursuit. Around Delimara Point, Xp-Act got representing Medcomms Ltd.

60 61 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 CHRISTOPH PODESTA THE CRUISERS’ RECOUNTS ELUSIVE 2’s experience at the 2018 Medcomms PERSPECTIVE Round Malta Race Iain Muir, Alma of Lymington The race start was almost a drift with barely a breath of wind but fortunately the breeze filled in by the time we inched passed the Grand Harbour breakwater arm. August Rush dominated the start and took an early lead, however Xp-Act were in close pursuit. Once the breeze filled in the fleet immediately spread and dispersed with some boats going close to shore with hoisted code sails, though the majority of the fleet sailed offshore with spinnakers.

We approached the Munxar cardinal mark with a jib after dropping our spinnaker a few minutes earlier, with Xp-Act in hot pursuit. From here on we completely broke away from the rest of the fleet and engaged into a fierce upwind battle against the XP44 tacking along the southern coast. We were neck and neck coming around Delimara point with Xp-Act having a slight advantage, however This year’s race was “Caribbean” sailing at its best! Apart thanks to a couple of slight wind shifts and tactical from the lack of wind at the Cruisers’ Class start, the race was moves we got the better of the them and locked sailed in the most glorious and perfect conditions - the fresh them out in our dirty wind for a couple of minutes. breeze and sunshine were the best, I think, we’ve enjoyed This allowed us to establish our lead on them and in our nine years in Malta and indeed perhaps among the create some breathing space. best conditions we’ve experienced in the Mediterranean. By the time we passed Għar Ħasan we secured From the Grand Harbour breakwater, the reach down to a comfortable lead which we continued to extend Munxar became rather tight for our Cruising asymmetric. as we sailed past Dingli cliffs on port tack. At this But rounding the buoy for the beat around the south of the point we hoisted a code sail and adjusted the island and also heading up the west coast, heavier cruising course for Qammieħ point. We were pleasantly boats were perhaps slightly less affected by the waves. surprised to have continued to extend our lead Here, as well as enjoying some of the best scenery in the with a number of minutes over the closest group of islands we were able to pick up a bit of time. boats. From here we peeled to a large Asymmetric spinnaker and readjusted course from the South Bearing away on the North Western coast to Cirkewwa and Comino Channel. Carefully calculating our layline then into the South Comino Channel we stuck with white saw us gybe onto starboard taking us towards sails (not losing too much time thanks to the good breeze) Torri l-Abjad. At this point we began to take until we’d gybed off Comino for Aħrax point and hoisted the conservative decisions to safeguard and protect asymmetric for the reach home. And what a sublime leg this the gap between us and the competition. was - with an ideal breeze and flat water we were hitting top speed down the east coast. We rounded L-Aħrax tal Mellieha and continued on for a few minutes till we changed to the Code Sails One final twist remained with the wind disappearing at outside Mellieħa Bay. While doing a comfortable Tigné Point but we drifted through before being rescued by and consistent 9 knots we sailed all along the the wind coming out of Marsamxett harbour enabling us to coast with the South Westerly breeze all the way tack for the finish after just over 6 1/2 hours of “Caribbean” to the finish line. We finished the race thrilled with sailing. the crews’ and boat’s performance alike.

Thanks to the Royal Malta Yacht Club Race Team and Despite the slow start we completed the race in Medcomms for a great day’s sailing around Malta. almost record time.

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which stands at 5,300m. The trek was our first one. With Colca Canyon brand new boots which we hadn’t broken into we set off. The trek was very much an undulating one - going up and down steep hills across the river at the base of the canyon To the Inca Trail until we got to the lodge. This is where the altitude hit me with a massive thumping headache. The non-broken into shoes came to haunt us within hours when Deniz’s feet were covered with terrible blisters. The downhill trekking on uneven ground affected both our knees leaving our legs feeling like jelly. In the last hour we had to slow down the AND BEYOND pace to a bare minimum! Definitely lessons learnt for the Peru is as complex as its most intricate and exquisite of small islands and are a must-see for all wildlife lovers as next one! A highlight of the trek was lunch cooked by a local weavings. Festivals mark ancient rites, the urban vanguard they’re home to thousands of birds and mammals including tribe who live in the canyon. We covered 26km in one day beams innovation and nature bestows splendid diversity. penguins, sea lions, Inca terns, pelicans and dolphins. We and at night we slept at a lower altitude Matt Tabone Ferrante shares his adventures on the road took buggies out on the sand dunes within the Paracas less travelled. Nature Reserve which made exploring definitely more Nasca Lines is a group of very large geoglyphs formed by It was an early night and the next morning we had to trek exciting! depressions or shallow incisions made in the soil of the Nazca up 5,000m up a very steep hill with little respite and a very Our adventure started with a bit of drama when due to Desert in southern Peru. We climbed a high viewing tower to tight schedule. The average time for this trek is generally a security alert we missed our flight to Lima from Paris. Next stop was Huachachina, an oasis in the middle of the see two of the lines, the hummingbird and the ant. three hours. Due to Deniz’s uncomfortable situation and Fortunately Air France put us on the next morning flight! We desert, with a body of water surrounded by palm trees, my issues acclimatising to altitude we took a mule ride to spent three days in Lima, mostly just walking around and hostels, hotels, clubs and sand dunes – a haven for those Arequipa, is the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa the last part of the trek. The mules are very sure footed, exploring as far as our legs could take us. adrenaline junkies wishing to undertake activities on some Region. Framed by three volcanoes it is the second largest but a badly secured saddle saw me fall off the mule . My of the biggest sand dunes in the world! Typically, you would city in Peru in terms of inhabitants. Less modern than Lima, quick reaction at feeling the saddle shift saw me fall to Lima, is a rather well developed city. The food is good, way see people racing up the sand dunes. Literally fly over the it has more character though it is not as well kept as Lima. the right, had it been the left side I would have fallen off beyond our expectations. From Lima we set off on the hop- crest of the dune – buggies would have six people in a car We spent two full days there and did all the cultural stuff – the edge. As we went up we saw condors flying – with a 3 on hop-off bus along the “Gringo Trail” towards Cusco, with so drivers definitely have to know what they are doing since main squares, historical buildings, and exploring the cuisine. metre wingspan, describing them as incredible does not do our next destination being Paracas but first, a brief stop at there is an element of risk and over 100 buggies doing the The highlight here was white water rafting, which took a full enough justice to their beauty. the Hacienda San Jose. same thing at the same time. We also managed to try some day. We started off with safety briefing, got all the necessary sand boarding which we soon found was not as exciting as instructions, kitted up and then it was down to the river. The Puno, Lake Titicaca is a large, deep lake in the Andes on The Hacienda San Jose was a sugarcane plantation snowboarding. rapids were rated Class 2 [Novice, Straightforward rapids] the border of Bolivia and Peru, often called the “highest This manor house, which is on the World Heritage Sites and and Class 3 [Small waves, maybe a small drop]. Despite navigable lake” in the world. Home to the Uros Tribe who list, had one of the richest plantations in Chincha, with Huacachina it being mountain water, it was not as cold as we expected live on floating reed islands on the lake, we could have around 1000 slaves working on its fields. The house has a although still on the cold side. Deniz, who is not usually a fan opted for an overnight stay with a family but but we chose beautiful internal garden and walls covered in mosaics. One of anything “cold” loved the experience and wanted to do it to keep moving. Rheumatism is highly prevalent in that area interesting feature of the house was a number of tunnels again! In all honestly I was expecting more in terms of rapid due to the high levels of humidity. The Uros Tribe are like beneath the estate, constructed purposely to hide slaves and adrenaline but water wasn’t high due to dry season. a nation in themselves, mostly self supportive but they do during inspections – this was done to avoid paying taxes travel to the mainland regularly to trade goods. We spent since in those times slave owners had to pay a tax on every After the adventure in Arequipa we moved to Colca Canyon the afternoon on the lake and enjoyed one of the most slave they owned. These tunnels were only discovered after on a two day trek. The Canyon is one of the world’s deepest spectacular sunsets we have ever seen. Despite Puno the devastating 2007 earthquake damaged the property. canyons. The two day trek we embarked on saw us being being high, altitude did not affect us and I recommend this picked up at 3am to set off on a three hour drive to the start, place for acclamatisation prior to heading for Cuzco. Just off the shore ofParacas , one finds the Islas Ballestas, also known as Poor Man’s Galapagos, which are a group Lake Titicaca

Islas Ballestas Huacachina Sandboarding

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Cuzco is a home base for another set of treks. By then hot water bottle – unfortunately mine had a hole so had As we got our energies back it was time to head to Iquitos, Our last three days were spent back in Lima before we our boots were broken in and we added walking sticks for to make do with a makeshift plastic bottle. We did have a Peruvian port city and gateway to the jungle lodges headed back home. We picked up our souvenirs and had downhill trekking. With the promise of an August meteor plenty of clothing and blankets our sleeping bags but we and tribal villages of the northern Amazon. There we the chance to do to do some last minute sightseeing before shower, we hired a private taxi to one of the highest points still froze. took a three day boat trip up the river where we trekked leaving Peru. in the city. Though we managed to see some big showers, through the jungle and visited a tribe that was originally it was difficult to find dark places due to high levels of light We woke up to mesmerising sunrise, had an early breakfast, from Ecuador, who moved down here over a period of five Overall this was quite the challlenging month both physically pollution from the bustling city below. We took a day trek which as usual was delicious. Freshly caught river trout was years due to deforestation in their area. There we had the and mentally but a mind expanding experience, full of to Rainbow Mountain with a peak altitude of 5,200 meters. served to Deniz and it also incldued vegetable omlette, opportunity to spend time with the tribe’s chief who gave wonderful memories to be enjoyed for years to come! This was to serve as training for the next adventure. nachos and guacamole. Our trek took us up towards the us his undivided attention – he explained, through a guide, pass where we saw waterfalls and lagoons. We stopped that they have their own dialect and survive on tourists’ We embarked on a two day Lares trek, which was only for a quick sandwich and some tea and started making our doing bird watching and piranha fishing trips and selling discovered recently and takes you up to 5,000m over the way down towards the campsite where we had a late lunch, their crafts as souvenirs. The Chief taught me how to shoot Lares mountain pass. At the start point we had breakfast packed up and set off to Olantitambo where we settled into a blow pipe with darts laced with poison from the aptly with a local family before we started trekking. It was a comfy hotel. A nice dinner and an early night for us since named poison dart frog – his experience showed as he just Deniz and I, our guide, the cook and two porters for the following day we had to wake up at 430am to start the was right on target every time! Our last stop here was a wild the trek which I booked through a local company, as I Machu Picchu two day trek. life sanctuary which takes in wildlife injured by poachers – preferred to give business to a local company rather than the sanctuary owner rehabilitates these animals and then some large international one. It was a very much last As we trekked up the side of the mountain one of the most lets them into the wild once fully rehabilitated. We were minute thing and tied in with our two day Machu Picchu imposing things we saw were the many different types of lucky to see jaguar cubs, sloths, anacondas, monkeys trek straight after. Despite some issues with the horses, orchids. Naturally the fauna is also incredible – especially the and baboons, finger monkeys, native to the area, parrots, which were not tacked up well, when problems arose they butterflies of which the tropical colours, shapes and designs eagles, a kite and capybara, the largest rodent closely handled it professionally. Along the trek we camped by a are out of this world. Waterfalls pretty much dot the ear and related to the guinea pig. Even an iguana with a broken river, in an open field to the sound of river water flowing towards the end of the day at the top of the stairs known tail. His passion for this cause was so genuine, we made Sacred Valley and in the company of alpacas. Admittedly, I never felt so as the gringo killer due to the veritcla long climb, which sure we left a donation for his efforts. cold in my life, not even during my wettest Rolex Middle most “gringos” have difficulty climbing, it was a short walk Sea Race when I was wet through for five days due to to the Sun Gate at the top of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu Machu Picchu a combination of heavy weather and torn weather gear. is an incredible feat of engineering – every minute detail is The issue was mostly humidity due to the morning frost impressive – inlcuding seperate water delivery systems for and the river near by. I would have so welcomed a proper cleaning, washing and cooking throughout the city.

From Machu Picchu we were thinking of going to the Galapagos but other travellers we met along the way spoke of cold miserable weather so we opted for the warmest place we could get to – the city of Cartagena, known in the colonial era as Cartagena de Indias, is a major port founded in 1533, located on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region. It was was seven days of relaxing - not doing anything except for enjoying the beach and some sightseeing in a walled city similar to Valletta – baroque architecture and a beautiful colourful, vibrant city where Cusco Plaza De Armas Caribbean influenced music, food, character and people Iquitos Jungle Lodge are the order of the day.

Lares Trek Machu Picchu

Lares Trek - Over the pass

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Simultaneously with the Asian Championships taking place for a place at the Tokyo Olympics. However, after a protest in Jakarta were the Men’s Radial World Championships in from the Chinese Radial sailor, she started to feel the Kiel. There, a team of sailors from Australia, Brazil,Canada, pressure from both medalling at this Games and qualifying Ireland and Sweden gave outstanding performances, with for Tokyo. To make things worse, the Chinese protest took seven of them placing in the Top 30 overall – that is with a three days to resolve with Nethra eventually being cleared fleet of 120 competing boats. the best-placed sailors took of any wrongdoing. Spending three evenings in the protest home a Gold and Bronze Medal. room fighting to keep her place had taken its toll and she dropped to fifth overall which she never recovered from.

As one can imagine, with so much at stake, there were lots of protests as every point mattered and were fought over in the protest room in many cases. Apart from Nethra, the rest of our team managed to stay out of the protests which under the circumstances an achievement in itself.

In the end the best result came from the youngest member of the team, Harshita. Competing in the Open Laser 4.7 Class, she gave her best performance so far. Fighting back from seventh overall at the half way point she finished the Asian Games Games with a Bronze Medal, just a few points away from 2018 Silver. Harshit competed against males and the current The second largest multisport games in the world, the Asian From January to March 2018 I prepared a training block at 2018 World Champion who finished in 5th place. Games saw a bit of the RMYC be part of a medal winning the RMYC, this ended with their national selection which performance thanks to ALEX DENISIUC’s involvement saw the top two sailors in each Laser Class being selected Govind, the other Open Laser 4.7 sailor finished in fourth with the Indian Sailing Team. Alex, who is SailCoach’s to enter the second phase of the programme. At the just a few points behind Harshita. Despite this outstanding Head Performance Coach and Senior Instructor at the beginning of April 2018, I flew out to Chennai, India where performance, fourth is always a very difficult position to be RMYC Sailing School, shares this unique experience with the final regattas were taking place. This was my first trip to in (as no one remembers fourth). Nevertheless, for me, it SPINNAKER magazine. India, and it is a place like no other! was an outstanding performance from a boy that came to the Laser Class for the first time at the start of 2018. It is also People often ask what the SailCoach crews do during After this selection regatta, eight sailors were selected for stage important to note that this Class was the biggest sailing class the summer months when they’re not at the Royal Malta two of the Asian Games preparations. This consisted in their at the Asian Games with 25 participants from 16 nations. Yacht Club. Well this year, together with my colleagues participation on the European Regatta circuit to gain further The Asian Games Milosz Wojewski, Jack Aitken and a few seasonal coaches, international experience. It was definitely a proud moment for At the end of the competition, the Indian team got three which SailCoach users during the busy periods, we set off us, as seven out of the eight qualified sailors had come through The Asian Games are the second biggest multi-sport event sailing medals, Silver in Women’s 49er, Bronze in Men’s to the European mainland to coach sailors with the aim of the SailCoach training system based at the RMYC. in the world after the Olympic Games, with over 15,000 49er and Bronze from my Laser 4.7 sailor. This result broke providing them with international experience at competing athletes taking part. Having coached at the Rio Olympics the previous record of medals achieved by India back in in major regattas. 2018 SEASON RESULTS I did not have high expectation for these Games, but the 1982 Asian Games. once I saw the preparations the Indonesians had put into The Winter Coaching months at the RMYC kept us busy SILVER MEDAL the Games, I was pleasantly surprised. The Games had The presence of these Indian and other sailing crews, with intense training in all the three Laser Classes 4.7, Radial Laser Standard - Europa Cup Regatta, Ancona Italy well thought out and high level venues, and the fantastic training at the RMYC, gave a fine example to the (March) (Boys and Girls) and Laser Standard (Men). The Summer opening ceremony inspired our team to do well. RMYC Sailing School children of their commitment and Vishnnu Saravanan season started early as the first Championships were held professionalism towards their sport. This exposure helps at Easter time this year and we had to fit in another nine SILVER MEDAL As we were only allowed one sailor per Laser class, the build a healthy culture in the RMYC young sailors and Championships to what was a busy schedule of regattas Laser Standard - Europa Cup Regatta, Nieuwpoort, best three sailors with medal potential to represent India in hopefully will inspire them, so that one day this generation in different corners of Europe. With all three Laser classes Belgium (May) Jakarta were:- may become great sailors too. and their sub age groups, we were kept busy and on our Upamanuy Dutta toes! 10th PLACE Laser 4.7 Open Harshita Tomar (Women) Radial Women - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, The Laser 4.7 Govind Bairagi (Men) The Main Focus Netherlands (May) Laser Radial Nethra Kumanan (Women) Nethra Kumanan, qualified for the Medal Race My main focus for the 2018 season were the Asian Games To add a little bit of spice to the Games, it was announced 19th PLACE taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia in the middle of August that one Laser Standard and one Laser Radial sailor would Laser 4.7 - World Championship Gdynia, Poland (July) with the Indian National Team. The preparation started Harshita Tomar qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, so the scene was set more than two years ago when the sailors came to Malta for a tough sailing competition. for training and I was assigned as their Lead Coach. Shortly 78th PLACE after that, in July 2017, I was appointed to run their Asian Radial World Championship, Aarhus, Denmark (July) Nethra, our Radial woman, started the Games well and at Games preparation programme and selection process. Nethra Kumanan the halfway point she was sitting in the third spot, fighting

68 69 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 Valletta 2018 Another initiative that came to fruition is the renovation of the next steps Is-Suq, which used to serve as the old market in Valletta that also fell into disuse. Presently, the building houses a variety As part of a busy year full of initiatives revolving around artistic skills ranging from learning how to write a script of eateries and a market selling fresh products. Apart from Valletta 2018 – European Capital of Culture, the to building puppets and bringing them to life in a large this, parts of the building are also being used to host events Foundation also supported the Rolex Middle Sea Race. display. and cultural activities. Now that we are in 2019 what is next for the Foundation? SPINNAKER spoke to Jean Pierre Magro, who explained Apart from investing in skills education, the Foundation The newly-opened museum MUŻA is another initiative for the what the next steps are for Valletta. has also boosted efforts when it comes to the local European Capital of Culture year. The new museum provides contemporary arts scene in Malta, itself a budding field. a new home to the national collection and focuses heaviliy The year 2018 has finally come to a close, and with it the To this effect, the Valletta 2018 Foundation organised on participation through its approach of community curation. year in which Valletta hosted the European Capital of two large-scale contemporary arts exhibitions Dal-Baħar Culture year. After organising over 400 events around the Madwarha and Constellation Malta. These exhibitions not This year, another large-scale project, will also open its islands of Malta and Gozo as part of its Cultural Programme, only boasted acclaimed international artists but also roped doors to the public. The Valletta Design Cluster will serve the Valletta 2018 Foundation’s work is far from over. in a multitude of local artists, providing a platform for these as a central hub for students, designers, start ups and artists to showcase their work alongside big names in the businesses, all of which will have the opportunity to engage 2018 marked an investment in the local arts and culture field. directly with Valletta residents. scene. From its inception, the Foundation vowed to make cultural accessible to all, and it has delivered on this, with The Foundation has also worked on a number of Other sites which have benefitted from renovation works over 400,000 people in total attending one of Valletta infrastructural projects which have ushered in a process of thanks to the European Capital of Culture title include the 2018’s events. But, now that the events are over, it is time cultural, social and economic regeneration within Malta’s restoration of Teatru Manoel, the facade of Palazzo Ferreria, to focus on the legacy that the European Capital of Culture capital city. Palazzo Verdelin, St John’s Co-Cathedral and Pjazza Tritoni. will leave behind. Strait Street, the narrowest street in Valletta which was left The benefits of this city-wide regeneration are clearly being For starters, it has left a lasting impression on people’s lives. to rot, has been given a new lease on life. Now, a dynamic felt. Tourism in Malta, according to data compiled by the It has given people from all walks of life the opportunity to hub of activity, it is home to many restaurants and bars Malta Tourism Authority, clearly demonstrates a significant come together and create meaningful connections, a way which offer Valletta’s nightlife. Apart from its entertainment increase in the first quarter of 2018 as 15% of tourists visiting for them to express themselves through artistic outlets value, the Valletta 2018 Foundation has also formed an Malta during this time period were greatly motivated by through participation in various events and workshops. organisation back in 2015, the Strada Stretta Concept, to culture, while 13.5% of tourists cited Valletta 2018 as being In fact, a number of projects in Valletta 2018’s Cultural regularly organise and host cultural activities in the street, the primary reason behind their visit. To accomodate the Programme provided capacity building initiatives and ranging from pop up live music concerts and street theatre increase in culture tourists visiting Valletta, over 30 boutique practical workshops in which people learned a variety of to exhibitions. hotels are presently operating in Valletta, making it one of Malta’s top hot spots for visitors.

To ensure that cultural activity in Valletta remains a priority, the Government has announced that a new Public Cultural Organisation, the Valletta Cultural Agency, will continue to organise cultural events within the capital while also being instrumental in the next European Capital of Culture bidding phase as Malta takes on the title again in 2031. This will ensure that this success story continues to flourish beyond last year.

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SPINNAKER | We know you were involved in the MADC, – the part of the murdered mistress was played by my sister Meeting the team tell us about your involvement – any particular roles that Amber, so maybe that could come back to haunt me!!! were either notable or a case of being afraid the past comes back to haunt you? SPINNAKER |One last question, if there wasn’t the Yacht Club what would Alana be doing? MADC was the home of my parents. Both were on the Management Committee and my father was also active on Travelling, in handsome company (not giving more details!) stage whilst my mother was also involved in the wardrobe section. Having been exposed to theatre from a young age At the time of going to print, the Ten Year Challenge was all MentionAlana the Royal Malta Yacht Club and invariablyMeadows than being just an employee. I put my heart and soul into it was only natural that my siblings and I were drawn to it. My the rage on social media channels. With Alana being quite the name Alana Meadows comes up. The Club’s the Club to ensure that we do the best we can do. siblings and my father took part in many pantos. I also took camera shy she decided to give us a photo or two that were Administration Manager has been with the club for fifteen part in a one-act play Riders to the Sea, an Irish tragedy where around ten years old. If you haven’t yet met her, then we years and certainly has quite a few stories to tell, though SPINNAKER | Fifteen years give many memorable I played a servant girl who poisoned and killed her mistress suggest you pop over to the Club’s Secretariat! the old adage of what happens at the Club stays at the moments, can you mention some of your favourite ones, Club is very much in place and would not pass on any and tell us why? juicy stories! Despite not being the most modern of office setups the Couvre Porte on Manoel Island provided me with many countless memorable moments, perhaps too many to mention. It is not everyday that one gets the opportunity to work in one of Malta’s historical forts – you could feel the history wrapped around you. Of course this is where I witnessed my first Rolex Middle Sea Race start – breathtaking. It was a very sad day when we packed up and moved to our new offices.

SPINNAKER | The Couvre Porte holds many memories for many yacht club members, what was it like to go back in October for the Rolex Middle Sea Race Crew Party?

I had not been to the Couvre Porte since our move in November 2008 and stepping foot back there was extremely emotional. Despite the joy of the event with over a thousand people partying I was extremely emotional actually and shed a tear or two!

SPINNAKER | We know that you spend a considerable amount of time at the Club – especially since you also take care of events. Long hours, at times during weekends, yet you are known to be a bundle of energy. Where do you get that from?

Motivation! Well being involved in the yachting scene means there is never a dull moment and is also very inspirational. Depsit having no sea legs and am certainly no sailor, I always look forward to hearing about the crews’ endeavours when SPINNAKER | In a culture where no job is for life, in your racing or cruising and all the exciting stories they bring back case you have been with the Royal Malta Yacht Club for to the Club. SUPPORT THE ROYAL fifteen years! Quite a chunk of your life and the Club’s history, tell us more about it. SPINNAKER | So Alana is synonmous with the Yacht Club MALTA YACHT CLUB but, tell us what is life for Alana outside of the Yacht Club? Indeed, I have been part of the Royal Malta Yacht Club for Camilleri Marine have once again stepped in to support fifteen years now. I started off as the office secretary and Well, it is always about time. My children and family always the Royal Malta Yacht Club when they presented a Cobra finally promoted to Administration Manager. I am very lucky come first so I do my best to spend as much time as Marine VHF Radio for use at the Club’s sailing events. to work with a great team. I have seen the Club undergo possible with them. This also includes travelling to visit my The Radio was presented to RMYC Hon. Secretary Robert many changes and evolve in the years I have been here. For sisters who live abroad – it is always a blast when we all Ciantar by Camilleri Marine’s Sales and Marketing Manager me the Club is an integral part of my life and is much more get together! Dorota Szerwinska.

72 73 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 RMYC SHORT HANDED TROPHY

The 2018 Short Handed Series consisted of three short handed races held over the year, with those garnering most points winning the Short Handed Trophy. To be eligible racers had to compete in the PVIES Double Handed Round Malta (April), the Gauci Borda Triple Handed Round Gozo Race (June) and the Raymarine Double Handed Figure of Eight (December).

The winner for 2018 was Georges Bonello DuPuis (Escape) who garnered a total of 256.6 points. BOXING DAY RACE

As has been the case in previous years, the weather on Boxing Day provided perfect weather conditions for OFFSHORE those taking part. A total of 10 keelboats took part, whilst the Club’s Sailing School was out in full force with their CHALLENGE dinghies. €600 were collected from participants whilst the Club doubled up the fee, making it a total donation of €1,200 going to l-Istrina.

TROPHY Once racing was over, crews tucked into mince pies and The Royal Malta Yacht Club presented the annual Offshore warmed up with mulled wine. Challenge Trophy to the boat that performed best overall in the IRC Category in the six offshore races that included the Race Officer Peter Dimech announced the winners of the Malta-Scoglitti-Malta, Malta-Ragusa-Malta, Malta-Syracuse, best dressed boat, crew and the event. Rolex Middle Sea Race and Medcomms Round Malta Race. Best Dressed Boat - Kon Tiki (Ferdinand Grech) came This year’s winner was Jonas Diamantino & Ramon Sant complete with loads of red balloons billowing in the wind. Hill’s Comanche Raider III with a total of 452 points. Best Dressed Crew - Seaducer (Johns Horsburgh) having all dressed up as Santa Claus. A Christmas themed Jolly Roger flag was a nice touch too!

First over the Line (Keelboats) - Comanche Raider III (Jonas Diamantino/Ramon Sant Hill).

First over the Line (Lasers) - Allan Khamis.

74 75 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 Members’ The annual Members’ Drinks took place on Saturday 15th Drinks December and was a wonderful get together for members prior to the start of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. The wonderful weather on the day enabled members to mingle and chill on the Club’s terrace and enjoy the beautiful Valletta bastions as a backdrop.

76 77 WINTER 2019 ISSUE 7 ISSUE 7 WINTER 2019 New Year’s Eve Party The Art of Celebration!

It was truly a memorable start to 2019, when the Yacht Club hosted a sold out crowd to what was considered one of the best ever New Year’s Eve parties. Malta’s hottest band, Red Electrick, played live all night and brought everyone to the dancefloor until the early hours of the morning!

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The Royal Malta Yacht Club offers the perfect setting for your corporate or social event, Club Race Officer effortlessly combining well designed functional venues on a water-front location with stunning views of the Valletta Bastions and Marsamxett Harbour.

Whether looking at hosting a small gathering with friends and family, or an event meant to entertain hundreds of people, the Royal Malta Yacht Club is perfect for such events. COURSE A dedicated Event Manager will be on hand from inception, working closely to ensure that your event runs smoothly and as planned. RMYC Vice Commodore Peter Dimech, explains more Racing Rules come into play. RRS 32.1 considers that about the Club Race Officer Course held at the RMYC last abandoning may be made only after the start and if (a) Contact: Alana Meadows - [email protected] | +356 21 333 109 autumn. because of foul weather, (b) insufficient wind to finish the race, (c) because of a missing mark (d) for any reason Under the auspices of the Malta Sailing Federation, the effecting the safety or fairness of competition, or (e) because Royal Malta Yacht Club held a second part to the Club Race of an error in the starting procedure. We also looked at the Officer course during the early autumn. While this was situation should one or more boats have already finished intended to be for the participants of the first part of the the race. course held earlier in the year, we were pleased to see new faces, parents of the regular dinghy sailors and also some [E] Next we looked at changing the course, which is moving total newcomers. marks to ensure the fairness of competition. The amount of wind shift, of a consistent nature, needed, was considered The topics discussed were: to be at least 20 degrees. Anything less is really not worth altering a course for and reading the shifts is what makes [A] Determining the length of the course. Relative to the better sailors. wind and sea conditions and time considered prudent to keep the sailors out on the water. Running three dinghy [F] However races back to back would keep the sailors out for close to should a shift five hours. The Mark layers and Race Committee would be be significant, out for considerably longer. we looked at the positioning MAKE [B]Considering any wind changes that may affect the race. of the signal This could mean shortening the race, from that displayed boat and type before the start. Should the wind drop so that target times of signals that would not could be met. Or that weather conditions worsened should be so that it is advisable to get the sailors off the water. made. As a YOUR EVENT reminder, Sound signals should be repetitive, air horn or [C] This lead on to a discussion whistle will do. Code flag ‘C’ with either a ‘+’ or ‘-‘ board, as to where best to place the to lengthen or shorten the next leg. A Red Rectangle or short course line. The RRS Green Triangle, to indicate moving the next mark to Port STAND OUT 32.2 requires that this be or Starboard. Or even a combination of one from each placed at (a) a rounding mark, set. (b) a line the course requires boats to cross in any event, or The participants then broke out into four groups. Two FROM THE REST (c) at a gate, between the gate groups of ‘Racers’ and two groups of ‘Race Committee’ marks. start teams. The ‘RC’ start teams practiced getting a race under way, complete with timing and OCS calls, while the ‘Racers’, walked up and down the club hall pretending to be [D] Next we discussed abandoning a race and the boats in competition. consequences this has on all racers. Again World Sailing Once training was concluded, refreshments were served. It is intended that further sessions will be held during the winter and early spring. Emphasis will also be placed on certain rules that racers should know. While we will advertise dates when these meetings are to be held, please contact the office on [email protected] so as to register your interest.

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