The Royal Malta Yacht Club today welcomed sailors to the first race of the 2026 EurILCA Masters Series, with the opening two races completed on a demanding racecourse set just off Dragonara Point.

Conditions tested both sailors and race management alike, as a strong westerly wind of 18 knots gusting 25 knots throughout the day, generating swells of up to two metres. The challenging sea state made boat handling and tactical decision-making critical, with several competitors forced to retire along the way. Race Committee Director Martin Azzopardi and his team worked to keep racing safe as the fleet battled the elements.

This year also marks Malta’s fifth time hosting this prestigious international Masters event, made possible through the dedicated efforts of key Royal Malta Yacht Club partners SailCoach’s Trevor Millar and Alex Denisiuc. The event continues to attract a strong mix of returning sailors and first-time competitors, underlining its growing reputation on the EurILCA Masters circuit.

Despite the difficult conditions, the opening day produced extremely tight provisional standings across both fleets.

In the ILCA 7 class, Great Britain’s Mark Lyttle holds a narrow provisional lead. He is just three points ahead of fellow Britons Alan David and Tim Law, who are separated by only a single point, setting up a highly competitive battle for the days ahead.

The ILCA 6 fleet is even closer, with just one point covering the top three. Niall Peelo (GBR) currently leads, with Conor Barry (IRL) and Roel Ballieux (NED) right on his heels.

Racing resumes tomorrow for the second day of the series, with another demanding day on the water expected as the fleet continues its battle in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested opening to the 2026 EurILCA Masters calendar.

The 2026 EurILCA Masters Series is supported by Yachting Malta Ltd