The 2010 National Sailing Championships organised by the Malta Sailing Federation and hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club were held last weekend.

Multiple fleets including Optimists, Lasers and a handicap class consisting of Miracles, Mirror 10’s, two 49-ers, hobie cats, a Laser 4000, an Enterprise, Topaz and special First 21.7’s fleet, participated in this year’s regatta with sailors hailing from Royal Malta Yacht Club, Malta Young Sailors club, Vikings Sailing Club, Birzebbuga Sailing Club as well as Malta Model Boating Association.

The course was set just off Tigne Point but due to lack of wind on the first day of the regatta, races were postponed for an hour and a half until the wind picked up to a gentle Force 3. The South East wind held direction for the first two races, increasing strongly throughout the second and third races.

The next day tomorrow saw the previous Force 3 winds gusting Force 4 to 5, again from the South East and proved to be an exciting day of racing especially towards the end of the second race due to the strong gusts.

“It is great to see all these young people enjoying a sport which challenges their mind and body and Firetech is very pleased to be supporting such an initiative,” said Donald Pace, Firetech representative, who sponsored the event.

Anna Rossi, President of Malta Sailing Federation thanked all clubs, parents, coaches, sailors, Peter Dimech who was responsible for the race committee boat as well as Firetech for sponsoring the regatta.

Winners in the various classes are:

Optimist Classes (all under 14 years).

Novices, young sailors who have just started racing: 1st Justin Formosa, 2nd Matthew Micallef; 3rd Francesca Zammit

Cadets, sailors all under 11 years: 1st Katryna Esposito; 2nd Robert Muscat; 3rd Craig Farrugia Vella

Open, sailors under 14 years.: 1st and National Champion optimist class Edward Fleri Soler; 2nd Thomas Bonello Ghio; 3rd Alex Esposito

Laser Standard Class.

1st and winner of the Joe Borg Costanzi trophy, Per Sahlberg; 2nd Christoph Podesta; 3rd Neil Borg

Laser 4.7 Class: 1st Thomas Zammit Tabona; 2nd Ella Fleri Soler; 3rd Thomas Sammut Alessi

Mirror 10 Class: 1st D. Fenech and A. Azzopardi

Mirror Miracle Class: 1st P. Mifsud & M. Mifsud; 2nd J. Morana and M. Bugeja; 3rd K. Bowman & M. Gauci

Handicap Class: Nik Sammut in a Laser 4000.

21.7s Class: 1st David Anastasi and Crew; 2nd John Ripard and Crew; 3rd Alfred Manduca and Crew.