Jake Mallia and Emily Fenech of the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club were crowned Optimist national champions at the Malta Sailing Federation’s National Championships, supported by Yachting Malta and hosted last weekend by the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club Freeport.
The championships welcomed 74 sailors racing Optimist, Laser, Feva and Miracle dinghies. The host club received the MSF’s Best Supporting Club Trophy, with 29 of the 74 entries. Two races were sailed in light winds off Delimara on Saturday, and three more on Sunday and Monday in medium winds at Bengħisa reef.
In the Optimist class, Jake Mallia became national champion and Helmsman of the Year, ahead of Eric Fenech Pace and Benjamin Vassallo. Emily Fenech is the new female national champion, ahead of Andrene Azzopardi and Molly Ross. Timmy Vassallo (Malta Young Sailors Club) topped the Cadet category ahead of Jonas Micallef and Zane Attard, while the Novice podium was an all-MYSC affair, with Jack Gabriele ahead of Katie Muscat Frendo and Harry Fairbairn.
Siblings Mattea and Daniel Ciantar won the Feva class ahead of sisters Francesca and Laura Zammit, both crews from Birżebbuġa. Faye Portanier and Sabrina Pace of the Royal Malta Yacht Club were third and the first under-17 crew.
A record 26 Lasers raced across three classes. Vishnu Varafanan won the Laser Standard ahead of Jake Farren Price and James Juhasz. Saul Vassallo (MYSC) won the Laser 4.7 and the Borg Costanzi Trophy, with Matthew Flores, the first under-16, and Jean Paul Zahra completing the podium, and Mia Busuttil the top woman. In the Laser Radial, Lacey Aquilina is the national champion, with Alfred Fenech climbing from last on day one to second, and Patrice Pace third.
“Yachting Malta is pleased not only to support such events but also to see that the future of Maltese sailing is showing promise. These young sailors dedicate a substantial amount of time to their sport and this shows in their results. Well done to all,” said John Huber, Chairman of Yachting Malta.
