This year the ninth edition of the Beneteau Cup is being held this weekend.

The annual event brings together owners of series produced Beneteau sailing yachts for a three day celebration of competitive spirit and social enjoyment. The beauty of this event is that it makes for interesting racing for the more competitive whilst giving the opportunity to the cruising sailor to venture out with the family. On the Friday all boats sailed from Marsamxett to Mgarr, Gozo, whilst the racing for today and tomorrow is planned to be concentrated in the channel between Malta and Gozo.

The organisers, Mediterranean Yacht Sales Ltd (local agents for the Beneteau brand) said that this year’s event, besides the regular boat for boat racing, will also include a Beneteau Owner Fleet Racing Challenge. This challenge will be held today and the only racing for this day will take place on board six identical Beneteau First 21.7S boats (22 feet). These boats have been chartered by the organising committee and have been made available to every Beneteau owner participating in the Cup.

Racing boats that are identical in every respect implies that one’s boat speed and finishing position boils down to the skill of the skipper and crew.

The organisers also confirmed that once again Medcomms Ltd will be the main sponsors of the event. Also on board and co-main sponsors are Manoel Island Yacht Yard whose partnership in this event coincides with their new corporate image.

When contacted, David Mifsud from Manoel Island Yacht Yard said ‘Beneteau is the only builder of sailing yachts that can boast such a special event in Malta… and with such a large number of participants, many of whom are our clients, we enjoy contributing to its success.’

The event will come to a close with the prize giving ceremony to be held on Thursday at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.