Fourth consecutive win for the First 45, at the annual Medcomms Round Malta Race

The Podesta siblings, Aaron, Christoph and Maya sealed their fourth consecutive victory at the annual Medcomms Round Malta Race.

Being the last race on the Royal Malta Yacht Club racing calendar, this race attracted the crowds as a large fleet.  The nearly thirty strong fleet set off from Marsamxett Harbour, early on Republic Day, in what was described as near perfect and glorious weather despite a bit of a slow start.

The race start was almost a drift with barely a breathe of wind but fortunately the breeze filled in by the time the fleet left the Grand Harbour on a southbound course around the island. Charles Borg Barthet’s August Rush dominated the start and took an early lead.

However, as the race progressed, Elusive 2, skippered by the Podesta siblings took the lead with Josef Schultheis’ Xp-Act in hot pursuit.   Around Delimara Point, Xp-Act got a slight advantage over Elusive 2, however some tactical moves and slight windshift, Elusive 2 were back leading the way progressing to a comfortable lead. As they reached Torri L-Abjad, the crew took conservative decisions to safeguard and protect the gap they managed to obtain against the likes of Xp-Act and Jonas Diamantino’s Comanche Raider III.

First to cross the line was Elusive 2, second was Comanche Raider II And third was Xp-Act. However once corrected time was taken it was Elusive 2, followed by Jamie Sammut’s Unica and Xp-Act to take the top three overall placings.

In IRC 2 it was a win for Dave Latham’s Seawolf of Southampton, followed by Mario Sant’s Time Out and Ray Schembri’s Sailaway. In the IRC Cruiser’s division Peter Ellul Vincenti’s Manana took top honours.  Ferdinand Grech’s Kon Tiki and Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration were second and third respectively.  In the RMYC Cruiser Class, Iain Muir’s Alma of Lymington emerged clear winner, followed by Jean Claude Uhlenhaut’s Sanaa and Kevin Pisani Zammit’s Dimm.

Prize Giving took place at the Royal Malta Yacht Club and prizes were presented to the winners by Petar Maksimovic, representing Medcomms Ltd.

Although the official racing calendar is now closed, the Club will be hosting a Boxing Day Regatta which is a fun event during which funds for L-Istrina Campaign will be raised.