After a winter spent sparring and training in Palma, Majorca, with some of the best 49er Class teams in the world, Seb Ripard and Benji Borg achieved Gold Fleet (top 25) status at the Semaine Olympique Francais Regatta in Hyeres, France this week.

The Hyeres event was the final race prior to the ISAF World Championships in Zadar, Croatia next month, which will determine the additional five countries that will be competing in the 49er class at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Amidst blustery conditions in Hyeres, the Maltese Olympic hopefuls competed well and finished in 25th place out of a field of 56, even finishing in second place in one race.

Malta49er are Sebastian Ripard and Benji Borg - two young Maltese sailors with the dream of competing at the London Olympics, and subsequently winning a medal in 2016. Both have been sailing from an early age, starting in the Optimist class.