Moderate to rather strong winds provided challenging conditions for sailors at the Birzebbuga RLR Regatta which was held in the first week end in April. The regatta was one of the series of ranking regattas organised by the Malta Yachting Federation and its clubs.
Sailors’ ranking is important for eventual selection for participation in international events such as the Small Nations Games and the Olympics.
The young and very talented fleet of Laser sailors at the ranking event enjoyed the return to competition of the Birzebbuga stalwarts Alfred Fenech and Neil Borg.
Taking advantage of the Northwest winds blowing out from Marsaxlokk Bay on Saturday, international race officer Peter Dimech set an Olympic Trapezoid Course stretching across the two bays. This provided a bird’s eye view of the races to spectators who made the trip to the cliffs around Delimara Fort.
Laser and Optimist boats tacked up from below Delimara lighthouse to the windward buoys off San Lucian tower. The 30 degree wind shifts in the force four winds made for intense competitive racing that rewarded the best prepared physically and technically.
On Saturday, in the Laser class the winds claimed a victim in Benji Borg who suffered a broken mast and retired having completed only one race. He was followed shortly by Alfred Fenech.
All the other Laser sailors faced the shifting windy conditions even on Sunday to the very end. Neil Borg’s comeback on the only Laser standard boat proved to be an exemplary feat of stamina and performance very well appreciated by his younger competitors on Laser Radials.
The races on Sunday started with Ella Fleri Soler, Thomas Zammit Tabona, Abigail Fenech and Edward Fleri Soler leading the optimist fleet but the excitement never waned as it went down to last race for podium places to be decided with Thomas and Abigail underperforming in the ultimate race to allow the Fleri Soler siblings to overcome. Young Karl Miggiani performed exceptionally well to win the Optimist cadet class.
In the Lasers’ competitive fleet, Jan Rossi dominated on water throughout most races, but having lost a protest to Matthew Farrugia focused hard to maintain his run of best placings which ensured his eventual victory.
The presentation of awards was held on Sunday evening at the Birzebbuga Sailing Clubhouse. Winners were presented with Musto sailing gloves, vests and money vouchers donated by Christian Ripard of RLR Ltd , the sponsor of the regatta.
The Club’s commodore, George Bonnici, thanked Peter Dimech and his racing committee, Anton and Peter Valentino who formed the protest committee, the safety officers Lino Dalli and David Dalli and their assistants, all parents and supporters and of course all the sailing participants who once again provided a weekend of high performance competitive sailing of note.
Results are as follows:
Optimists Cadets: 1st Ella Fleri Soler, 2nd Thomas Zammit Tabona and 3rd Edward Fleri Soler
Optimists Seniors: 1st Carl Miggiani, 2nd Thomas Bonello Gio and 3rd Alexander Esposito.
Laser Radial: 1st Jan Rossi, 2nd Maya Podesta and 3rd Matthew Farrugia and
Laser Standard: Neil Borg
(Enquiries re other BSC activities: 99447115, 21805729 www.birzebbuga sailing.com)