The final competitive race of the 2024 Royal Malta Yacht Club season, the Medcomms Round Malta, lived up to its reputation as a thrilling and challenging event. Held annually on Republic Day, the race delivered a mix of rough seas, strong winds, and adrenaline-pumping action for all participants.

The sizeable fleet prompted Race Officer Martin Azzopardi to divide the competitors into two groups. The first group featured IRC Class Racers, while the second consisted of IRC Cruisers and unrated RMYC cruisers. The race took a southbound, clockwise course around Malta, with a five-minute gap between starts. The fleet encountered large waves and a strong south-easterly wind, creating exhilarating conditions, particularly on the western coast, where some boats reached speeds of 24 knots.

Ralph Landwehr’s Miame Too was the first to round the fairway buoy after a strong start, heading upwind toward Munxar. However, Elusive 2, helmed by Aaron, Christoph, and Maya Podesta, quickly closed the gap and regained the lead with spinnakers up before overtaking Miame Too near Bengħajsa. As the race progressed, Miame Too was eventually overtaken by Sean Borg’s Jubatus and Seb Ripard’s Calypso.

“It was very exciting and close racing in lovely conditions with a really great team. We are really happy with the result and the whole season,” remarked Miame Too’s Carlo Landwehr.

First to cross the finish line was Elusive 2, followed by Miame Too, Jubatus and Calypso.

After time correction, Calypso emerged as the overall winner of, what participants aptly described as,  a “wet and wild” race.

We had a lot of fun on the west coast, racing downwind in big waves. We got very wet, had a few wild broaches, and hit 24 knots of boat speed. It was a rollercoaster! Overall, another fun and super competitive race,” commented Calypso skipper Sebastian Ripard.

Cruising Class

Mario Debono, skipper of Janissah and Rear Commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club, demonstrated that determination and resilience pay off, securing victory in the IRC Cruiser’s Class.

“The weather certainly lived up to expectations, with large waves and winds reaching up to 30 knots at times. It was a truly exhilarating race, and I’m incredibly proud of Janissah’s crew for rising to the challenge,” remarked Debono.

In the RMYC Cruising Class, Philip Apap Bologna’s Windigo claimed both line honours and the overall win in what was one of the largest fleets this class has seen for such a race.

“The Medcomms Round Malta race was a fitting conclusion to the RMYC racing season. We now look ahead to preparing for the 2025 racing calendar, which promises another exciting year of diverse and challenging races for our crews,” remarked Adrian Gauci Borda, RMYC Rear Commodore (Sailing).

Medcomms Round Malta Race Results

Overall & IRC Class 1 – Calypso  (Sebastian Ripard)

IRC Class 2 – Juniper (Brian Flahive)

IRC Cruisers – Janissah (Mario Debono)

RMYC Cruisers – Windigo (Philip Apap Bologna)

The RMYC expressed its gratitude to Medcomms for supporting the race once again as well as the Race Management team, led by Martin Azzopardi.

Whilst the competitive race programme is now officially concluded, the RMYC will host a fun race on Boxing Day – 26th December – with all proceeds donated to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation’s L-Istrina campaign.