The Royal Malta Yacht Club season will continue today with the first edition of the International Paint double-handed Round Malta race.
Twenty six boats have entered and are ready to take to the sea today for the first edition after having already set a new record number of entries.
The first start will be at 9am for the IRC Cruiser Division followed ten minutes after for the IRC Racing Division. The race is organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club in collaboration with MacMed Co ltd, local agents for International Paints.
A mixture of cruisers and racers will compose the 26-boat racing fleet.
Last years previous winners, Denis Gatt and Georges Bonello DuPuis on board Primadonna II, will be present to defend their title. Other boats vying for line honours will definitely be “Strait Dealer” of David Franks and “Allegra” of Alfred Manduca.
David Anastasi will call tactics on Strait Dealer and give confidence to owner/driver David Franks for a good performance.
The newly constituted IRC Cruiser Class is also making its first appearance this weekend. Godwin Zammit, the Club Racing Commodore was very delighted with the number of boats registered. “Seven boats, which were never rated previously is a great success for our first race. I expect more boat owners to follow suit and join in the fun in our next race to Marzamemi”
Andrew Magri Overend, Managing Director of Macmed Co ltd is enthusiastic with the number of entries in this year’s race. “We are delighted, in this our first year, to start our collaboration with the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the organization of this rapidly evolving event which marks the beginning of three year sponsorship agreement with the leading Yacht Club in Malta,” declared Andrew Magri Overand. “With a record fleet and a record number of IRC Cruiser Class boats entered, we are certain to see some great sailing over the weekend.”
The official Skipper’s briefing took place on Thursday at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
The final Prize Giving ceremony is to take place on Thursday at the RMYC at 8pm