A fleet of 16 yachts will be competing in the BOV Round the Islands today.

Organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the race, with an estimated course length of 100 nautical miles is one of the longest coastal races in Malta. Depending on wind conditions and strength, the race is expected to be demanding on the crews both in the racing and the cruiser division.

The double handed class makes the event even more challenging for those who wish to endure the full day of racing with just two persons on board.

The race will start at the Marsamxett harbour entrance and the course will take the boats south towards Marsaxlokk and rounding the island of Filfla. From there, the sailors will proceed to the south Comino channel and rounding Gozo in an anti-clockwise circle. They will then head back towards Fifla, rounding the south of Malta and finishing at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Bank of Valletta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club have launched this latest collaboration by unveiling a new trophy for this race. This trophy will be kept in the RMYC Trophy Cabinet with each winner commemorated on this trophy.

The Cruiser fleet will start at 9am with the Racer fleet starting at 9.10am from Marsamxett harbour entrance, with the prize giving held the following day at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.