The third race of the RMYC Winter Series by Beneteau took place on Saturday afternoon in calm conditions. Sailed in a pursuit racing format, the race unfolded without dramatic moments, yet featured close competition from the outset.

David Anastasi’s Pippus took the early lead as the fleet rounded the first mark at the Fairway Buoy, followed by Matthew Zarb Cousin’s Thunder Child and Charles Cronin’s Alecto. Heading towards the University Mark, Pippus maintained the lead, with Anton Calleja’s Lartista closing the gap in tight racing, alongside Martin Sant’s Time Out and Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla, who advanced steadily. At the St Julian’s Bay Mark, Pippus remained in front but came under pressure from Anton Calleja’ Lartista and Ton Ton Laferla, with the latter moving ahead as the fleet rounded the Fairway Buoy once more on course for St Julian’s Bay.

As pursuit racing is run to a fixed time rather than a traditional finish line, the race concluded at exactly 1600 hrs, with each boat required to report the name of the boat directly ahead and directly behind them.

At the end of the third race of the series, Ton Ton Laferla, making its first appearance in this year’s edition, took the win. Lartista, in its second appearance, finished second, while Pippus placed third.

These results bring a shift in the overall leaderboard after three races. Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration now climbs to provisional first place, one point ahead of Luis Azzopardi’s Kixx Me, whose result in the third race saw him slip two places to sit three points behind Inspiration.

In the RMYC Club Cruiser Class, Roderick Zahra’s Irie secured the win, ahead of Matthew Zarb Cousin’s Thunder Child and Ali Namli’s Exaltor.

The provisional overall standings in this class have also shifted, with Thunder Child overtaking Martin Kunath’s Forever 25 to move into first place, three points clear. Irie currently sits in provisional third place.

With two more races scheduled — on Saturday 7th March and the final on 18th February — the series remains open, and the overall outcome is still to be decided.

The Royal Malta Yacht Club thanked Mediterranean Yacht Sales for supporting the RMYC Winter Series.

The fourth and penultimate race of the Series will take place on Saturday 7th March, with a First Warning Signal at 1350hrs.

Registration is open online – https://rmyc.org/races/2026-rmyc-winter-series-by-beneteau/