Event starts today with Malta-Gozo passage race

While earlier this week all yachting eyes were focused on Geneva awaiting the announcement of the venue for the next America's Cup, the local sailing fraternity and their families are looking forward to a much more modest yet pleasant yachting activity.

For this weekend the second edition of the Beneteau Cup will be held, sailing off this morning with a Malta-Gozo passage race.

Yachts will race from outside Marsamxett Harbour through the North Comino Channel to Mgarr Harbour. A coastal race in the waters around Comino Channel is also scheduled for tomorrow.

Twenty-six yachts are expected on the start-line. These will race directly against similar, and in some cases, identical boats to their own.

Participants will be divided into three classes - Beneteau First (Class 1), Beneteau First (Class 2), and Beneteau Oceanis Class.

The racing fleet comprises both seasoned sailors who have already tested both their skills and their yachts in past events and also sailors who will compete with recently acquired boats.

Families of competing sailors will be awaiting the arrival of competitors at the L-Imgarr Hotel, in Mgarr Gozo, which will serve as the event's headquarters. The prize-giving presentation will be held there tomorrow afternoon.

"One of the pleasant aspects of this activity is that besides presenting sailors with racing opportunity, it affords them with ample time of relaxation to share with their families," Alfred Manduca, president of the Beneteau Sailing Association (Malta), remarked.

The Beneteau Sailing Association are organising this race together with BJ Marine Med. Ltd.