Medcomms Round Malta Race closes off hectic RMYC 2015 racing calendar

Closing off a hectic and busy racing season at the Royal Malta Yacht Club was the annual Medcomms Round Malta Race. Considered a Club classic, this race is a fully crewed adventure around Malta.

4 January 2016, 4:11pm
by Staff Reporter

2 min read

Boats ready to race during the 2015 Medcomms Round Malta Race. Photography Credit: RMYC/Emma Tranter

The initial weather forecast was not encouraging with very light winds being forecasted, crews were initially skeptical however race day dawned a beautiful day with enough wind to take the 20 strong fleet around Malta on a south bound course.

The Cruising Class boats were the first to start followed by the Racer classes. Light north westerly breeze saw boats put up their spinnakers which were kept well past Munxar. Past Munxar the fleet had to batter through a large swell from previous days’ wind proving to be a tricky leg. XP-Act led the fleet with Xpresso, Elusive 2 BOV, Otra Vez and Ton Ton racing closely against each other. With positions changing a number of times, it was Elusive II BOV who entered the South Comino Channel first followed very closely by XP-Act.

A breeze of around eight knows saw the fleet head towards the finish line with Josef Schultheis on XP-Act claiming line honours. It was however the Podesta siblings – Aaron, Christoff and Maya who claimed first place after corrected time. Jonathan Gambin's Ton Ton settled for 3rd place in IRC Racer Class 1.

After a disappointing start and some lost ground near Munxar, Paul Debono’s Ripple managed to gain ground near Cirkewwa overtaking Alfie Manduca’s Lightning and eventually claiming first place in the IRC Racer Class 2 Category. Alfie Manduca (Lightning) and Per Sahlberg (Windriven) came in second and third place respectively.

In the IRC Cruiser Class, Anton Calleja (Lartista) claimed first place followed by Godwin Zammit (Inspiration) and Peter Ellul Vincenti (Manana) who claimed third place.

“The Medcomms Round Malta Race closed off a very hectic 2015 racing season, which has seen good participation throughout. We were quite lucky with the weather as forecasts were not so promising”, said Godwin Zammit, Commodore, Royal Malta Yacht Club. “The Club is grateful towards Medcomms for supporting this Race once again and the volunteers who brave unearthly hours to ensure that these races run smoothly”.