The Royal Malta Yacht Club was proud to have a strong presence at the Malta Sailing Federation’s Malta Sailing Forum, held on 15th November at Salini Resort to mark the Federation’s 50th Anniversary.
Bringing together members of the Maltese Olympic Committee Executive Board, sailing club officials, coaches, sailors, and media representatives, the full-day forum explored the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sailing in Malta.
The event featured an extensive programme of eleven panels covering education, sport funding, dinghy and keelboat sailing, race management, inclusivity, safeguarding, women in sailing, sustainability, media, and the sport’s economic value.
RMYC representatives contributed to several of the day’s most insightful discussions, including:
- Mark Napier — Malta as a Niche Tourism Destination
- Aaron Gatt Floridia & Godwin Zammit — Keelboat Racing: Is it too elitist?
- Adrian Gauci Borda & Alex Denisuic — Dinghy Sailing in Malta: Growth & Pathways
- Martin Azzopardi — Race Management Standards
- Peter Dimech — Inclusivity, Integrity & Safeguarding
- Alannah Xuereb — Sustainability: Commercial Operators vs Competitive Sailors vs the Environment
- Maria Vella-Galea — Sailing and the Media
- Matthew Flores — Education and Sport: Can they Co-exist?
- Ruya Cakmakli & Katrina Micallef — Women in Sailing
Discussions throughout the day also touched on the future of race management, the role of technology, the importance of safety training, pathways for youth sailors, and the potential to strengthen Malta’s position as an off-peak niche sailing destination.
The Forum served as a fitting tribute to five decades of sailing development in Malta and highlighted the commitment of the entire community—clubs, federations, volunteers, and partners—who continue to drive the sport forward.
During the Forum, certificates were presented to members of the Club who under took course in Immediate Response, Inclusivity and National Race Officers courses.
“The Royal Malta Yacht Club has been intertwined with the Malta Sailing Federation since its earliest days. In 1975, it was the Club that first took the initiative to establish what became the national authority for sailing, helping lay the foundations for a stronger, more unified sport. Nearly fifty years on, we remain proud to be affiliated with the Federation and to contribute to Maltese sailing through race organisation, the development of both keelboat and dinghy sailing, and our growing commitment to sustainability. Our shared history continues to guide our shared progress.” — Mark Napier, Commodore, Royal Malta Yacht Club
The Royal Malta Yacht Club congratulated the Malta Sailing Federation on this significant milestone and remains committed to supporting collaborative efforts that advance sailing across the Maltese Islands.