90 Sailors Competing In Optimist Regatta

Ninety sailors from 11 countries have assembled in Malta to participate in the fifth Optimist Class Euromed Championship organised by the Malta Young Sailors Club, under the auspices of the Malta Sailing Federation.

The international racing fleet participating in the Malta five-day event, includes both male and female sailors with ages ranging up to 15, with Federico MAGNANO (ITA), Benji BORG (MLT) and Ludwig SVENSSON (SWE), aged15, being the most senior sailors in the fleet.

Racing is being held at St Paul‘s Bay over a 4km course, starting today through until Tuesday. A good number of the foreign competitors here are top ranking international sailors and some tough racing is expected.

The 11 countries represented are Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Tunisia, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom and Malta. The Malta contingent is made up of 33 sailors, comprising nine females. Jean Paul FLERI SOLER is the Maltese national coach.

Apart from the excellent turnout of international competitive representation, a milestone for the EuroMed is undoubtedly the team of reputable foreign officials making up the International Jury. These are Hans Kurt ANDERSEN (DEN), Franco BATTISTIN (CRO), Luciano GIACOMI (ITA) and Bill O’HARA (IRL). Both Andersen and Giacomi have judged Olympic Games and umpired America‘s Cup racing while O’Hara officiated at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. The International Jury will be under the chairmanship of Peter VALENTINO (MLT) and will also include Godwin ZAMMIT (MLT).

Training Clinic

The championship is also serving as an opportunity to hold an ISAF Race Management Clinic, and is being used as a training exercise and a stepping stone to attain International Race Officer status.  Delegates include a Ugandan and Chinese, who have flown to Malta to attend this course that is being conducted by Anthony LOCKETT (GBR). Lockett has officiated in several high-calibre events such as the Olympic Games. He is also an advisor to the International Optimist Dinghy Association and sits on various committees within the International Sailing Federation. Lockett will also act as Race Officer to the EuroMed 2004.

The championship is being sponsored by Air Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Malta Maritime Authority, Medex Container Line, Merlin Computers and the Dolmen Hotel, the race headquarters.

John RIPARD Jr, founder of the Malta Young Sailors Cub ten years ago and current Commodore, considers the EuroMed as an important contribution for the future of sailing in Malta.

‘It is an acknowledged fact that many of the current Olympic sailors began their careers in an Optimist dinghy,’ he said. ‘The EuroMed championship is not only steadily gaining overseas recognition but more importantly giving our budding sailors a taste of international competition on home waters.’

Laser Class Regatta

Concurrently, with the Optimist Class Championship, the 2004 EuroMed will also comprise a Laser Class Regatta which has attracted a further 34 competitors from Italy, Malta and Bulgaria.