Mellieħa Bay delivered excellent racing conditions on the opening day of the 25th MAPFRE Euromed International Regatta and 3rd Europa Cup, hosted by Malta Young Sailors Club, as fleets took to the water under sunshine, steady breeze and well-formed waves.
A consistent south-easterly wind of 12–15 knots provided near-perfect conditions throughout the day, allowing the Optimist and ILCA Race Committees led respectively by Peter Farkas and Bojan Gale, to complete a full schedule of racing. The Optimist fleet completed three races, while ILCA sailors contested two races, making the most of the favourable conditions on the racecourse.
The 2025 edition of the MAPFRE Euromed International Regatta is marked by its exceptional international reach. This year’s event welcomes sailors from 39 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse youth sailing competitions ever hosted in Malta. The entry list spans Europe, Asia, North America and South America, with competitors travelling from destinations as wide-ranging as Sweden and Singapore, Canada and Croatia, Argentina and Armenia, underlining the regatta’s standing on the global youth sailing calendar.
In the Optimist Class, which boasts a strong fleet of 107 sailors, preliminary results after the opening races see several familiar names emerging at the top of the leaderboard. As expected, Carl Bigersson (DEN), Andrea Demurtas (ITA) and Mihael Zobec (SLO) are currently leading the fleet following a highly competitive first day on the water.
The Optimist Beginners’ Class includes two host club sailors, Thomas Zapucioiu (MLT) and Liam John Gaskell (MLT), with Sara Jaen Monjo (ESP) setting the early pace and leading the fleet.
In the ILCA 4 Class, Jacob Azzopardi (MLT), Tiago Cheng De Villemor Salgado (HKG) , and Emily Fenech (MLT) are setting the early pace, with Azzopardi and Salgado tied on equal points at the top of the standings.
The ILCA 6 Class is currently led by Carys Attwell (GBR), Leo Gosling (SUI), and Pietro Colazzo (ITA). Timmy Vassallo is the leading Maltese sailor, sitting in fourth place, just two points behind Colazzo.
In the ILCA 7 fleet, international competitors continue to dominate, with Fiachra McDonnell (IRL), Hubert Roszyk (POL), and Jeremy Moutout (MON) occupying the top positions after the opening races.
Weather forecasts indicate similar conditions for the second day of racing on Friday, with another full programme planned: three races for the Optimist fleet and two races for the ILCA classes. With consistency in both wind and wave conditions anticipated, competition is expected to intensify as sailors look to consolidate early gains or recover from the opening day.
The 25th MAPFRE Euromed International Regatta is supported by MAPFRE and VisitMalta, with S&D Yachts / Rooster, F. Busuttil & Sons Marketing, and Victor Azzopardi Jewellers, the event’s Official Timekeeper, also backing the regatta.
Malta Young Sailors Club has additionally garnered the support of Mellieħa Local Council, the Malta Sailing Federation, SportMalta, and Yachting Malta, reflecting strong institutional and community backing for this landmark edition.
