Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla Insurance has continued to prove itself the boat to beat in the Royal Malta Yacht Club’s 2026 racing calendar, claiming overall honours once again at the Paymix Pro Ragusa Weekend.
Competing in the IRC Class, Ton Ton Laferla won both the outward and return passage races between Marsamxett, Malta and Porto Turistico Marina di Ragusa.
In the RMYC Cruiser Class, Big Star, sailed by Sandro Musu and Sue Busuttil, took overall honours with a second and a first place in the races to and from Ragusa.
Race 1 — Malta to Ragusa
Twenty seven boats set off across two starts in fresh north easterly conditions of force 5 to 6, making for a lively departure from harbour.
Ton Ton Laferla Insurance took an early lead in the 52.5 nautical mile race to Ragusa, before Club Class entries Otra Vez, sailed by Aaron Gatt Floridia, and Xpalidocious, sailed by David Pizzuto, pushed through to the front. Otra Vez was first across the line, followed by Xpalidocious and Ton Ton Laferla.
After time correction, Ton Ton Laferla Insurance took the IRC Class win. Steve Carter’s Stella R finished second, with Sebastian Ripard’s Calypso in third.
In the RMYC Club Class, honours went to Game Changer, sailed by Edmund Glaister and Joseph Muscat, on the boat’s debut in the RMYC fleet. Big Star finished second, with Xpalidocious in third.
Race 2 — Ragusa to Malta
The return leg got under way in clear skies with light westerly winds that picked up as the day went on. Otra Vez led the way again and was first to cross the finish line, followed closely by Ton Ton Laferla Insurance, Blue Kairos, sailed by Horst Huesley, and Xpalidocious.
After time correction, Ton Ton Laferla Insurance claimed another IRC Class win, with Calypso in second and Ray Schembri’s Sailaway in third.
In the RMYC Club Class, Big Star took the win, with Otra Vez in second and Xpalidocious in third, rounding off a solid weekend for David Pizzuto’s crew.
Overall Results
In the IRC Class, Ton Ton Laferla Insurance topped the standings with a perfect score of two wins, followed by Calypso in second and Sailaway in third.
In the RMYC Club Class, Big Star claimed overall honours ahead of Otra Vez and Xpalidocious.
Adrian Gauci Borda, Rear Commodore for Sailing, said it was the largest fleet ever seen at the Ragusa Weekend, and praised the strong mix of racing and cruising boats. He noted that crews enjoyed both the competition and the social side of the event, along with the chance to explore at their own pace.
The Royal Malta Yacht Club thanked Paymix Pro for their support for the second year running, as well as Race Management teams led by Martin Azzopardi in Malta and Mark Napier in Ragusa, and Grace Azzopardi, Michelle Caruana, Neity Maddock and Tania Steinbeck for their contributions over the weekend.
A prize giving evening with Paymix Pro will be held for participants and members on Friday 8th May at the Club’s rooftop.
The next race on the calendar is the Thos. Smith Triple Handed Race, starting on Saturday 9th May at 4.30pm.
