Sean Borg’s Jubatus claimed overall honours at the 66th edition of the Turkish Airlines Malta to Syracuse Race, leading a dominant performance by the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
A total of 32 boats, including 10 from Malta, took part in this year’s 80-nautical-mile offshore race between Malta and Syracuse, making it one of the largest fleets in recent years.
Co-hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Lega Navale Italiana (Sezione di Siracusa), the race started from Malta after a short delay due to light winds.
Several Maltese boats were among the early leaders, including Artie III, Ton Ton Laferla, Jubatus and Tres Amis. As the fleet approached Syracuse, the Maltese crews continued to set the pace, with Artie III leading ahead of Jubatus, Ton Ton Laferla, Kixx Me and Calypso.
Racing took place across the IRC Racers, ORC Regatta and ORC Gran Crociera classes, with the final standings decided on corrected time.
Jubatus produced the standout performance by winning both the IRC Overall and ORC Overall titles, securing the RMYC IRC Trophy and the Easy Perfection Trophy.
Lee Satariano’s Artie III finished second in both categories and also received the RMYC Trophy as the first Maltese boat to cross the finish line. Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla Insurance completed the podium, while Godwin Zammit’s Inspiration finished second in the IRC Cruisers Class.
A special Giancarlo Patti Trophy was presented to Olivia Ripard and Finn Calascione aboard Calypso, who were the youngest competitors to complete the race at just seven years old.
The prize presentation took place at the Lega Navale Italiana in Syracuse, attended by LNI Commodore Sebastiano Floridia and Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Mark Napier.
Following the summer break, the Royal Malta Yacht Club will return to action in September with Yachting Malta Race Week. The programme includes the Malta to Licata Offshore Race, the World Sailing “Steering the Course” initiative aimed at encouraging women to take up sailing, and the Finductive National Dinghy Championships.
