Fickle winds and steep swells for RMYC Citadel Coastal Race

Whilst weather conditions were slightly better in Malta, nevertheless the seventeen competing crews encountered some tricky moments during Saturday’s Citadel Coastal Race.

Split into three classes, crews were given an approximate fifteen nautical mile course starting from Marsamxett Harbour and which took them south to Munxar before turning back to finish at the Royal Malta Yacht Club early in the afternoon.

Winner of IRC Class 1, Aaron Gatt Floridia (Otra Vez) commented “We enjoyed the race and the fine sailing conditions. Otra Vez has just been put back in the water for the new season and we were looking forward to getting back to racing. The wind was very light at the start and the swell made it tricky to keep the boat moving but the breeze improved as we went South and made for a very enjoyable race”.

Mark Vassallo’s Fast Forward sailed into first place in IRC Class 2. Vassallo echoed Gatt Floridia’s sentiments - “Although a short race, it didn't come without its fair share of tricky moments particularly at the start, due to the fickle wind and steep NE swell.....and at Marsascala, where in view of our overlapping genoa we were unable to hold an angle high enough to avoid a non-making tack at the reef......which cost us precious time....Once round Munxar, the breeze picked up slightly which made for a very easy sail all the way to the finish!!”

Ian Pace sailing on his Oceanis 40 Mawimbi won IRC Class 4, “A well organised race, which we thoroughly enjoyed, making up for the disappointment of the Marzamemi postponement. We look forward to hopefully racing to Marzamemi on the 13th”.

Crews were hosted to a Prize Giving evening which was held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club later on in the day.  The Royal Malta Yacht Club is grateful to Citadel Insurance plc for supporting this event as well as all the volunteers who take care of Race Management on the day.

Results of the 2016 Citadel Coastal Race
IRC Class 1
1st Place - Otra Vez (Aaron Gatt Floridia)
2nd Place - Juno (Sonke Stein)
3rd Place - Xpresso (Sean Borg)
IRC Class 2
1st Place – Fast Forward (Mark Vassallo)
2nd Place – Time Out (Mario Sant)
3rd Place – Windriven (Per Sahlberg)
IRC Class 4
1st Place – Mawimbi (Ian Pace)
2nd Place – Inspiration (Godwin Zammit)

Citadel Marzamemi Weekend Regatta
Royal Malta Yacht Club crews are now hoping for good weather for the Citadel Marzamemi Regatta Weekend which has now been moved to the weekend starting 13th May.  The Regatta will see boats racing up to Marzamemi on Friday and racing back down on the Sunday. Throughout the weekend there will be the possibility of racing with Italian counterparts as well as a social event hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club at the Yacht Club in Marzamemi.  

A Prize Giving will be held at the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Friday 20th May.

More information on the Royal Malta Yacht Club Racing Calendar can be obtained by visiting www.rmyc.org