114 sailors from seven countries, including the national Optimist teams of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, will race in the second Yachting Malta BSC International Regatta, hosted by Birżebbuġa Sailing Club Freeport between 10th and 13th February.
Bulgaria, Latvia, Russia and Turkey are also represented, and all four local clubs, Birżebbuġa Sailing Club Freeport, Malta Young Sailors Club, Royal Malta Yacht Club and Vikings Sailing Club, have entered. The top-ranked Optimist and ILCA sailors are on the list, including ILCA 6 and ILCA 4 winners Dimitris Vertsonis and Shaun Aquilina, while Timmy Vassallo and Isaac Azzopardi defend last year’s Optimist Open and Cadet titles.
Up to twelve races are planned on two trapezoid courses in Marsaxlokk Bay or at Bengħisa reef, depending on the wind, starting at noon on Thursday 10th February.
“We are thrilled with the response received for this Regatta, particularly since it is in its infancy. A number of sailors will be arriving earlier to undertake a pre-regatta clinic led by world famous coach Simone Ricci, assisted by BSC coach Ivan Vasilev, making the most of Malta’s famed conditions in the midst of winter,” said Mario Aquilina, Commodore of Birżebbuġa Sailing Club Freeport. Yachting Malta has again confirmed its support, with Chairman John Huber noting that regattas like this give local sailors vital international exposure ahead of the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe in Malta.
