The Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC), supported for the first time by Emirates Airlines, will be organising the Double Handed Round Malta Race today.

Eighteen boats are expected to compete in this long coastal race and there is some good news for the competitors. The weather forecast for today has slightly improved to give competitors a good run around Malta.

“Emirates Airlines supports various sports around the world, including sailing in various locations together with Team New Zealand in the Americas Cup, so it was quite natural for us to support the Royal Malta Yacht Club in this race,” Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates Manager for Malta and Cyprus.

RMYC Commodore, Georges Bonello DuPuis, thanked Mr Fleri Soler for Emirates support during the skippers briefing.

“Where it not for companies such as Emirates, the RMYC would find it difficult to organise and promote races such as these.

“Sponsorships are always welcome, especially at times such as the ones we are in, where we are raising funds for the RMYC's new Club House.”

The race starts at 9am from the waters opposite the RMYC with two course options available – either a North about course sailing towards Comino, or the Southern option, down towards the Freeport area.

Boats are expected to race throughout the day with the first arrivals some time in the later afternoon.