Useful experience for Malta Young Sailors Club members in Dubai regatta

A team of six sailors from the Malta Young Sailors Club recently travelled to Dubai for the International Sailing Regatta. Five members in the team were competing overseas for the first time.

William Camilleri, the only one with previous experience abroad, placed second overall on the first day of racing. Facing strong competition from Dutch and Italian national Optimist teams, he went on to complete the regatta in 14th place overall, indeed a creditable performance when one considers the stiff competition and participation of 67 sailors from 10 nations.

Newcomers Matthew Farrugia, Richard Apap Bologna and Nadia Maniscalco finished the regatta in 26th, 27th and 28th positions respectively. Farrugia and Apap Bologna improved their placings on each of the five days of racing. Maniscalco clinched a trophy and a place on the podium for placing third in the female class on the third day of the regatta. Her overall position in this category was fourth.

Michela Balzan and Shaun Maniscalco placed 47th and 48th. Both were undaunted by the strong winds and the experienced fleet they were competing against. Balzan was eighth in the Cadet class. These two sailors have only recently started to train more regularly with the other top sailors.

The Malta Young Sailors Club party in Dubai included a team of officials and parents, along with national Optimist coach Jean-Paul Fleri Soler. Philip Apap Bologna was team leader, Joe Maniscalco country representative and Brian Farrugia team doctor.

Malta was also represented at this prestigious event by Peter Valentino.

He was invited to sit on the International Jury Panel together with other members from Denmark, Croatia, Algeria, Holland and Spain. Malta Young Sailors Club secretary Anna Rossi was jury secretary.