A strong north-easterly breeze, building winds, and increasingly rough seas produced what competitors later described as โepic conditionsโ during this yearโs Thomas Smith Triple-Handed Night Race, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. The fleet faced a demanding overnight challenge, with conditions proving far tougher than anticipated from start to finish.
From the outset, crews were met with choppy, unsettled waters that made maintaining a steady course difficult. As the race progressed toward Gozo, the wind steadily increased, reaching around 14 knots with gusts peaking at up to 30 knots near the island. The return leg to Malta became an even greater test, with heavier seas and a gruelling upwind stretch that pushed crews to their limits over more than six hours of racing.
Emerging victorious was Jubatus, skippered by Sean Borg and crewed by Andrea Azzopardi and Nicky Fenech. The win was made even more notable given that the boat only made it to the start line shortly before the race following a setback the previous weekend. Despite this, Jubatus established an early lead and successfully held off the chasing fleet on the demanding return leg from Gozo.
Speaking after the race, Borg said the team had little time to prepare but managed to pull everything together in time. He described fast downwind sailing conditions, with speeds reaching up to 14 knots, before the crew were forced into a tough upwind battle against larger boats in rising seas. He noted the race as a memorable challenge marked by physical strain and demanding conditions.
Second place went to Vivace, skippered by Andrew Agius Delicata alongside Matthew Gabriele and Kevin Anastasi. Their race featured a strong recovery, including overcoming a heavy broach off Gozo. Agius Delicata noted a fast and competitive downwind leg, with the team focusing on positioning themselves for gains on the upwind return despite losing some ground along the way.
Finishing third was Calypso, skippered by Sebastian Ripard with crew members including Jake Satariano and Harry Parnis England. Ripard described the race as a demanding but memorable experience, highlighting the challenging conditions and the dramatic scenery around Gozoโs coastline.
Race management was overseen by Mark Napier, Commodore of the RMYC, assisted by Peter Micallef and Neity Maddock. The prize-giving ceremony will take place on Friday 15 May at 19:00hrs at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
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