Maltese sailors continue to shine on the international stage, delivering a series of impressive results at major European regattas. From Kiel Week in Germany to the ILCA 4 European Championships in Poland and the IODA World Championships in Slovenia, the Maltese sailing contingent is proving its mettle among the sportโs elite.
Kiel Week & ILCA 6 World Championships
Timmy Vassallo led the way with a commanding victory in the ILCA 4 class at Kieler Woche 2025. Held in Germany just days ago, the prestigious regatta saw Vassallo win eight out of ten races, finishing first overall with 12 net pointsโan outstanding performance against top-tier international competition. Louyn Fereday also competed in the ILCA 4 class, placing 33rd overall.
In the ILCA 6 category, Benjamin Vassallo and Mia Busuttil both advanced to the Gold Fleet, finishing 13th and 55th respectively out of a competitive field of 119 sailors. Harry Fairbairn ended in 71st place, delivering a solid showing in his first major international outing.
Simultaneously, the ILCA 6 Menโs World Championship was underway in challenging conditionsโlight and shifty winds during qualification and rainy, gusty weather in the finals. Despite the demanding conditions, Poyraz Fidaboy and Afonso Southino placed 97th and 98th respectively, gaining vital experience at world level.
ILCA 4 Youth European Championships โ Poland
Maltese sailors also competed at the ILCA 4 Youth European Championships in Poland, where they faced highly variable weather, from steady breezes to sudden gusts that disrupted the race schedule.
Jonas Micallef reached the Gold Fleet, finishing a commendable 35th overall. In the U16 category, first-time international competitors Tom Ellul and Kaine Muscat advanced to the Silver Fleet, finishing 22nd and 38th respectively. Thomas Wilson placed 59th in the same fleet, while Emily Fenech impressed with a 38th place finish in the Gold Fleetโdemonstrating the depth of Maltaโs emerging talent.
Foiling Week โ Lake Garda, Italy
Foiling Week in Malcesine, Lake Garda showcased the growing popularity and competitiveness of the new Switch class. Maltese sailor Antonia Schultheis took home top honors in the womenโs division, narrowly edging out Swedenโs Vilma Bobeck and Italyโs Alessandra Dubbini by a single point.
Women made up a quarter of the 32-boat fleet, highlighting the classโs emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. Victoria Schultheis, who recently transitioned to the high-performance Moth class, was the top-ranked female in that division, finishing 29th among 88 international competitors from 23 countries.
IODA European Championships โ Bulgaria
At the IODA European Championships, Maltaโs Optimist sailors turned in excellent performances, with six of the seven team members qualifying for the Gold Fleet in a field of over 260 athletes from 37 nations.
Alexandra Nagrudnaya led the team with a 7th place overall finishโ4th among Europeansโincluding two race wins. Other strong finishes came from Isaac Azzopardi (26th), Julia Borg (38th), Ella Demicoli (49th), Corey Joyce (50th), and Samantha Axisa (74th). Youngest team member Luca Attard placed 59th, a promising result for his debut. Malta finished 9th in the nations ranking, ahead of sailing powerhouses such as Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
IODA World Championships โ Slovenia
The IODA Optimist World Championships are currently underway in Portoroลพ, Slovenia, running until 6th July. Following the qualifying series, Matthias Spiteri is the highest-ranked Maltese sailor in 21st place. He is followed by Seb Miceli Demajo (46th), Nathan Montebello (113th), Jack Vella (190th), and Timothy Decesare (232nd). Team racing events are scheduled for today and tomorrow, with the final series concluding later this week.
Federation Praise and Support
Malta Sailing Federation President Michael Mifsud expressed pride in the sailorsโ achievements, stating:
โSailing continues to deliver strong results thanks to the existing and promising talent the Federation is investing in.โ
The Malta Sailing Federation extended its gratitude to the sailors’ home clubsโBirลผebbuฤกa Sailing Club, Malta Young Sailors Club, and Royal Malta Yacht Clubโas well as the Maltese Olympic Committee, SportMalta, and Visit Malta for their continued support.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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