As anticipated, weather conditions posed significant challenges on the second day of the Mapfre Euromed International Championships and EurILCA Europa Cup. Race Officers Bojan Gale and Peter Farkas had to adapt to increasingly difficult conditions, making prudent decisions to ensure the safety of competitors. With wind speeds reaching the upper limit of 20-25 knots for the Optimist Class, the forecast of severe winds prompted organisers to hold two races for the ILCA Class and one race for the Optimist Senior and Cadet Classes.
While conditions tested many participants, all rose to the occasion, finishing within the stipulated time frame of racing.
Bad weather seriously affects Optimist Class
No races were held for the Beginners’ Class due to safety concerns. However, the Senior and Cadet Classes managed one race inside Mellieha Bay, where a carefully placed course provided safer, yet still challenging, conditions.
Senior Class: The leaderboard remained unchanged. Birżebbuġa Sailing Club’s (BSC) Andrey Zhakov maintained a comfortable lead over Margaux Nguyen-Min (HKG), with Sebastian Miceli Demajo (Malta Young Sailors Club) retaining third place, just one point behind Nguyen-Min.
Cadet Class: Leader Lilous Backes held her provisional first place, with Ahnieshka Madonich (UKR) and Ethan Kodjaazliev (Royal Malta Yacht Club) securing second and third places, respectively.
ILCA Classes achieve more racing
The ILCA Fleet benefited from an earlier start and completed two races despite the challenging conditions.
ILCA 4 Class: Timmy Vassallo (Malta Young Sailors Club) retained his lead, three points ahead of Cypriot Anatoli Zoubovski, while Jonas Micallef (Royal Malta Yacht Club) stayed in third place. Among the females, Emily Fenech (Birżebbuġa Sailing Club) led the standings, followed by Kate Kenny (IRL) and Marianne Heller (Malta Young Sailors Club).
ILCA 6 Class: Feodor Zoubovski (CYP) and Tomek Vaccaro (Royal Malta Yacht Club) remained tied for first place, with Leo Yates (GBR) just one point behind. Sophia Debs (USA) emerged as the top female sailor in this class, followed by Ema Kuodyte (LTU) and Michela Mifsud (Birżebbuġa Sailing Club).
ILCA 7 Class: Oskar Madonich (UKR) maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard. Jeremy Moutout (MON) climbed to second place, while Antonio Cavalcanti Rosa (BRA) moved into third, narrowly edging out yesterday’s third-placed sailor, Valeriy Kudryashov (UKR), by just one point.
Results are provisional as at Friday 20th December, 1400hrs.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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