Elusive 2 claims third consecutive Zhik Double Handed Figure of 8 win

Brothers Aaron and Christoph Podesta sailed Elusive 2 to victory in the Royal Malta Yacht Club’s 2025 Zhik Double Handed Figure of 8 Race, winning the trophy for the third year running in one of the toughest races on the Club’s calendar.

The course takes two-handed crews through some of the most exposed waters around the islands. From the start between Fort St Elmo and Tigné Point, the fleet sailed north to Aħrax, through the South Comino Channel, around Gozo and back through the North Comino Channel, then down Malta’s west coast, leaving Filfla, Bengħajsa and the Munxar mark to port before finishing at the Club.

Conditions started lighter than expected and built to around 20 knots, with two-metre waves on the west coast and in the Comino channels. Vivace (Andrew Agius Delicata / Matthew Gabriele) and Calypso (Sebastian Ripard / Kristian Borg Nicolas) crossed the start line neck and neck, with Ton Ton Laferla (Jonathan and Gerald Gambin) close behind.

Off Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Elusive 2, Vivace and Ton Ton Laferla went inshore while Calypso and L’Artista (Matthew Micallef / Andrea Vella) headed offshore. By the South Comino Channel, Elusive 2 held a commanding lead. Ton Ton Laferla later retired near Comino, and as the fleet rounded Gozo, Calypso closed on Vivace for a tense chase down the west coast. Elusive 2 finished first, followed by Calypso and Vivace. After time correction, Vivace took second and Calypso third.

“In those very rough conditions we knew it would be hard to balance how much to push and keeping everything in one piece, always respecting the limits of being just two of us. One mistake can have catastrophic consequences. It was a very tough race and manoeuvres with the kite were very hard, but we both enjoyed it tremendously,” said Aaron Podesta.

Commodore Mark Napier congratulated the winners and thanked RLR Yachting, the local representatives of Zhik, for their continued support. The Club closes its 2025 calendar with the Medcomms Round Malta Race on 13th December.