Sebastian Ripard’s Calypso won the 2025 BOV Gozo Weekend Regatta, hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and supported by Bank of Valletta, retaining the BOV Gozo Trophy they won last year.
The regatta attracted a strong fleet of 24 boats, with 15 in the IRC Racers Division and 9 in the IRC and RMYC Cruisers classes. Racing opened on Friday afternoon with a passage race from Marsamxett to Mġarr Harbour, continued on Saturday with round-the-cans racing in the Gozo–Comino Channel, and closed with a passage race back to Malta.
Calypso took the overall win by just two points from the Podestas’ Elusive 2. Elusive 2 dominated Friday’s passage race, finishing first on the water and on corrected time, but Saturday’s light and variable winds suited the smaller, nimbler Farr 30, which won the round-the-cans race. A second place on Sunday’s run home sealed the trophy.
“The BOV Gozo Weekend is a special event; boat and crew are still sharp and buzzing after the Middle Sea Race. This edition was special because my six-year-old daughter, Olivia, joined us and survived a wet and windy passage race up to Mġarr. And it was fantastic to end on a fast and breezy run home where we pushed our little Farr 30 to a maximum boat speed of 19 knots!” said Sebastian Ripard.
Class results
In IRC Class 1, Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla took third, one point ahead of Sean Borg’s Jubatus. In IRC Class 2, Andrew Agius Delicata and Matthew Gabriele’s Vivace won with consistent top-three finishes and placed third overall, with Anton Calleja’s L’Artista edging Jarhead, skippered by Gary Mercieca, by one point for second.
In the IRC Cruisers, Mario Debono’s Seven made a winning debut in the opening passage race, Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration won the round-the-cans race and Christine Stanschus’ Chapeau finished third. In the RMYC Cruisers, brothers Aaron and Edward Gatt Floridia sailed Nenya double-handed to two wins and a second for the class victory, ahead of Martin Kunath’s Forever 25 and Gino Cutajar’s Kira.
Trophies were presented at the Royal Malta Yacht Club by Commodore Mark Napier and Stefan Abela, Manager CSR at Bank of Valletta. “Supporting events like the BOV Gozo Regatta reflects our long-standing commitment to nurturing local talent, promoting healthy lifestyles, and investing in Malta’s sporting future,” said Abela. Napier thanked Bank of Valletta for its long-standing support, and the Race Committee led by Martin Azzopardi.
Photo Credit: Bank of Valletta (prize-giving). Sailing images: RMYC / Crispin Gauci Peresso
