Yachting Malta Race Week has grown every year since 2021, and the 2024 edition brought the widest mix yet, from inclusive sailing and women’s sailing to windfoiling, racing and a cruisers’ rally.
Inclusive sailing on the Hansa 303s, which Yachting Malta bought for the clubs along with expertise in running such programmes, drew a large and enthusiastic audience. Steering the Course – Women in Sailing, hosted over three evenings by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Vikings Sailing Club, taught a large group of women on the RMYC’s RS Quests, with a race in Marsamxett Harbour on the final day.
The Foiling 100 was thwarted by a lack of wind, and a short local race was cut by a thunderstorm, but veteran Jean Paul Fleri Soler still finished second behind Kamil Manowiecki. At the RMYC’s keelboat, SB20 and dinghy regatta, the SB20 fleet fielded its first all-female team, Gabriella Mifsud’s Stella Maris, who won overall. The Dinghy Ranking Regatta was closely contested outside Marsamxett Harbour.
For the non-racing community, a Cruisers’ Rally sailed from Vikings Sailing Club to Birżebbuġa, round Filfla to Rinella Bay, and back to the RMYC, with a plastic-collecting competition along the way. Prizes were presented by Chairman Hon. Chris Agius and CEO Michael Mifsud. “Yachting Malta Race Week has once again shown the inclusive nature of the sailing community here in Malta. We are thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by participants and spectators. This event not only highlights the beauty of our waters but also the strength and unity of our sailing community,” said Mifsud.
