For the first time ever, the Malta Sailing Federation (MSF) organised the National Championships at Qbajjar Bay, Gozo, a zone that proved to be superb for sailing even if the bad seas were the major cause for total postponement on the first day.
Next day, the fleet of 47 youngsters, ten of whom were females, competed in different classes with a sizeable fleet of 23 Optimists while the Laser Class seems to be more encouraging these days with another good entry of 24.
Young William Camilleri had put himself in a commanding position with three emphatic straight wins in the Optimist, giving top sailor Benji Borg some food for thought.
But in the end, it was Karl Cremona who won the day with some tough sailing at St Paul's Bay, the venue for the second and final round. Toppling golden boy Borg was no easy feat, but this shows that there are no walk-overs nowadays.
In the Cadet Class, young Gabriel Pace made sure of his first championship with a steady performance throughout, overcoming the stern challenge that the energetic Sean Borg provided.
Bullet boy Matthew Fleri Soler outshone one and all in the 4.7 Laser Class, clinching with ease all six races with top sailing performances.
On the other hand, Simon Aquilina had to use all his wits to ward off the new challenge of Zak Borg with just three points. Aquilina ensured a second consecutive championship medal in the Radial Class.
All the experience that five-time champion Mario Aquilina possesses was to no avail against the tenacity of the never-say-die Peter Valen-tino. After a flying start, Aquilina found the aggressive Valentino, normally the second favourite, a tough nut to crack this time.
Four wins and two seconds were more than enough for Valentino to pick a championship medal in the Standard Class.
"It seems to me that the sport of sailing is alive nowadays with changes at the top over the past two years," MSF president Anton Valentino commented.
"I'm also glad to see more females participating. Our aim in holding the nationals in Gozo is to convince the authorities that sailing is a healthy spectacle for youngsters and also a source of income from sport-tourism for our sister island.
"Awareness of this kind can help the Gozo Sailing Club have their own club premises. Local sailing clubs also need to have decent slip-ways and club houses if we care to sustain this high level of sailing."
Final results...
Optimist - 1. K. Cremona, 2. W. Camilleri.
Cadets - 1. G. Pace, 2. S. Borg.
4.7 Laser - 1. M. Fleri Soler, 2. R. D'Amato.
Radial - 1. S. Aquilina, 2. Z. Borg.
Standard - 1. P. Valentino, 2. M. Aquilina.