PV-IES Double Handed Race – an adrenaline rush

In spite of the demanding nature of short-handed racing the PV-IES Double Handed Race, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, nevertheless saw a good fleet tackle the course.

Due to the light winds on the day, Race Committee opted for a shortened course, which saw crews head towards the Fairway Buoy before heading up North towards Comino and back to the finish line in Sliema.

With conditions as they were, it started off as a tight race with little or no room for errors and no clear favourite. A light upwind to the Fairway Buoy saw the fleet split open leaving a fairly consistent gap between the fleet. This gap was maintained until the South Comino Channel, when Xpresso (Sean Borg) and Xpedite (Nils Lindemann) were first to leave the Channel and a hard fought battle saw them run away in an attempt to clinch first place. In the words of Xpresso’s Sean Borg, “it was a very confusing wind which took two identical boats down racing for first place. Experience won at the end of the day” with Xpedite, crewed by Nils Lindemann and Timmy Camilleri sealed a hard fought win.

“Double Handed Racing is not for everyone, it requires more focus and synergy and less room for errors and constant communication. The competition between crews is very intense”, observed Godwin Zammit, Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. “The Club tries to keep its racing calendar as varied as possible to try and meet our racing members’ expectations”.

A Prize Giving evening was held on the terrace at the Royal Malta Yacht Club in the presence of crews, representatives from Island Engineering Services suppliers of PV-IES products, Committee members and friends. Prizes were given to the winners in the various Classes, and were presented with PV-IES products by Ms. Janice Borg, Marketing Executive, Island Engineering Services

Results

IRC Class 1

IRC Class 2