The 2012 National Sailing Championships, organised by the Malta Sailing Federation and hosted by the Malta Young Sailors Club (MYSC), were held recently in St. Paul’s Bay using the club’s premises as race and committee offices and the yard of St. Paul’s Bay Primary School as a boat park.

This year’s national championships saw a large, multi dinghy fleet on the waters, including 23 Optimist sailors in the open and cadet classes and 17 young sailors in the novice class many of whom had never raced before.  4.7 and radial lasers as well as RS Fevas were also present at the regatta with sailors from Malta Young Sailors Club and Birzebbuga Sailing Club.

The course was laid off St. Paul’s Bay with three races being held on the opening day in a gentle Force 3 South East wind holding direction for the first race, increasing strongly throughout the second and third. The next day 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 for the senior Optimist sailors as well as the Lasers and RS Fevas.  The wind was unfortunately too strong for the novice sailors who had to wait patiently and launch later until their course was set up well inside the bay.

After placing fourth in the first race and first in the next five consecutive five races, Zachary Zammit was clearly the winner of the national championships netting five points, after discarding his fifth position.   Thomas Bonello Ghio placed second with 16 points and third place went to Rebecca Briffa with 23 points. 

The Joe Borg Costanzi trophy, traditionally awarded to the largest laser entry, was given to the 4.7 class, where there were five sailors. The winner was Ella Fleri Soler.

At the award winning presentation, Anna Rossi, president of the Malta Sailing Federation, thanked all clubs, parents, coaches, sailors and especially, Peter Dimech, who was responsible for the race committee.

Results

Optimist Classes

Open (U-15): 1. Zachary Zammit (national champion); 2. Thomas Bonello Ghio; 3. Rebecca Briffa.

Cadets (U-12): 1. Craig Farrugia Vella;  2. Matthew Micallef;  3. Shaun Miggani

Novices: . 1. Gaby Mifsud ; 2. Victoria Schultheis  3. Richard Schultheis

Laser 4.7 Class

1. Ella Fleri Soler (winner of the Joe Borg Costanzi trophy); 2. Edward Fleri Soler; 3. Pascal Pace

Laser Radial

1. Maya Podesta ; 2. Roberto Briffa; 3. Tom Sammut Alessi

RS Feva Class

1.  Andrew Mifsud / Michaela Mifsud;  2. Matthea Ciantar / Anthony Khazmi ; 3. Jacob Saliba / Michael Fsadni