Ton Ton Laferla Triumphs in Testing Conditions at the International Yacht Paint Figure of 8 Race

The International Yacht Paint Figure of 8 Race, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, took place on Saturday in what proved to be a long and demanding day on the water, with the entire fleet demonstrating exceptional determination in the face of frustratingly light and unpredictable conditions.

In response to the unstable conditions, the Race Committee took the decision to amend and shorten the course, removing the Gozo leg and instead requiring the fleet to round Comino before heading back to the finish in Marsamxett.

Sean Borg’s Jubatus led the fleet out of harbour at the start, followed by Luis Azzopardi's Kixx Me and Stefan Debattista's Geisha, with Andrew Agius Delicata / Matthew Gabriele’s Vivace and Jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla trailing close behind.

As the fleet headed south, Kixx Me and Geisha forged ahead, building a gap on the rest. Rounding Munxar, Kixx Me, Geisha, and Jubatus led the way, followed by Ton Ton, Vivace, and David Pizzuto's Xpalidocious. Past Benghajsa and heading towards Filfla, Jubatus again moved to the front.

Ton Ton Laferla was first to cross the finish line and first on corrected time, claiming overall victory. Adding further colour to the win, Gambin's regular crew were away competing in an international regatta, and their places were filled at short notice by young crew members from Mario Debono's Seven team.

In the RMYC Club Class, David Pizzuto's Xpalidocious was first to finish, however it was the double-handed entry Thunder Child, crewed by father and son Matthew and Kyle Zarb Cousin, who took class honours on corrected time.

Chief Executive Officer of Mac Med Group, Andrew Magri Overend, argued that “We are proud to enjoy such a long standing relationship with the Royal Malta Yacht Club. Sailing is a sport that demands real skill, strategy and commitment, and events like the Figure of 8 Race embody all of those qualities."

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