MAPFRE Euromed International Regatta set to return this weekend

Four-Day International Regatta taking place in Mellieħa Bay

Malta Young Sailors Club is set to host the 22nd edition of the MAPFRE Euromed International Regatta this weekend in Mellieħa Bay.

The Mapfre Euromed International Regatta will be welcoming over 200 sailors hailing from countries which include Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Romania, Spain, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine and of course a strong contigent from Malta.

The regatta, which sees competitive action from two Classes – Optimist and ILCA has always attracted a strong international fleet, this year being no exception.  

Racing will take place from Saturday and will conclude on Tuesday, with action taking place just outside Mellieħa Bay.

International Flavour

Amongst those who have confirmed their participation one can find Italian national champion Tommaso Picotti, a number of World Championships participants, including Emmanouil Anastasios (Greece, 19th)  Martinius Hopstock (Norway 36th), Timmy Vassallo (Malta, 38th) and Ukrainian sailors  Danyl Mykhailichenko and Sviatoslav Madonich who placed fourth and sixth respectively at the World Championships. 

Spain’s  Joan Domingo who placed third in the 71st at the Trofeo Ciutat de Palma hosted by the Reial Club Nàutic de Palma will also be present.

In the ILCA Class eyes will be on Irene De Tomas Perello, the 2022 ILC4 girl European Champion who has now moved into the ILCA 6 Class.

Act of Solidarity

Malta Young Sailors Club’s participation in the Trofeo Ciutat de Palma this month led to an initiative that proves sailing goes beyond on water competition. 

Fully aware of Ukrainian athletes’ plight and their difficulty to compete at international level, Malta Young Sailors’ Club extended an invitation to the team of Ukranian winner Sviatoslav Madonich to join the Euromed International Championship.

With the support of Yachting Malta, these sailors, including Olha Lubianska, Ahnieshka Madonich and Dmytro Karabadzhak, are being hosted by Malta Young Sailors and will be provided with boats and accomodation for the duration of the event.

Maltese participation

Host country Malta is expected to field a strong participation in all classes.  

As expected, last year’s Optimist Senior Division winner Timmy Vassallo, as is second placed Jonas Micallef, will be taking part as are Emily Fenech and Jack Gabriele. 

In the ILCA Class, last year’s Class winners Benjamin Vassallo, Jean Paul Zahra as well as sailors such as Matthew Flores and Jake Mallia are also on the event’s fleet list. 

The MAPFRE Euromed International Regatta is being hosted by Malta Young Sailors Club under the auspices of the Malta Sailing Federation.