Euromed Optimist and Laser Championship - Malta

by Sue Hill 30 Dec 2005 10:19 GMT 15-20 December 2005

A team of seven GBR Optimist sailors and one Laser Radial Sailor attended the annual Euromed Championship in Malta (15 - 20 December 2005). Sixty Seven Optimist sailors and twenty five Laser sailors from twelve different countries took part including places as far apart as Kenya, Israel, Turkey and Norway. With Nordest Boats providing brand new Optimist Charter boats, only the sails needed to be taken to Malta. The Dolmen Hotel in Bugibba was the Official HQ with the boats being launched directly opposite the hotel from Mistra Bay, on the other side of St.Pauls Bay.

The practice race was held on the Friday afternoon, with the sailors reporting a large swell and shifty winds. Night time brought strong winds and we awoke Saturday morning to force 6 gusting 7-8. After several postponements, the racing was finally cancelled for the day.

Overnight the winds increased to force 8-9 and it was not looking too good for Sundays racing but after a short postponement, the boats were launched. Three races were completed on Sunday in rough seas and 18-20 knots of wind gusting 25-30 knots. All seven GBR Optimist sailors ventured out including 9 year old Ella Stoggall, who made a brave attempt to race but was beaten by the extreme conditions. The others reported exciting sailing in huge waves and Brett Hill said that he became airborne at one stage, landing stern first in the water. Many boats nose dived and became swamped with water, as the waves rolled over them. All the sailors came back exhausted but a swim in the hotel pool soon revived them in time for the pasta and disco night, that had been laid on by the organisers.

After the first 3 races, Karl Cremona (Malta) was lying in 1st place and the first 3 GBR results were: 13-Nathan Bailey, 20-James Hamer, 26-Brett Hill.

The wind dropped for Mondays racing but there remained a large swell on the water. The winds started off for the first race at 14 knots but gradually decreased over the three races. Our sailors reported very shifty conditions and it became a bit of a lottery whether you were on the right side of the course or not. Tim Gratton and Tarra Gill-Taylor improved their positions with the lighter winds and James Hamer moved up three places. James Hadden in the Laser Radial was in 9th position after three races, having been forced to sit the first race out, due to a broken kicker.

The last day of racing initially started sunny but whilst waiting to launch, the wind swung round to the east bringing an icy chill. The first race was started in light shifty winds, gradually dying away as the sunshine gave way to rain. Tim Gratton and Tarra Gill-Taylor both benefited and did well to finish in the top ten. With the heavy rain killing off any chance of a breeze, the remaining races were finally cancelled. The light weather conditions also caused a change at the top with 12 year old Okan Arin from Turkey moving up to win the regatta. With consistent results, Nathan Bailey and James Hamer both finished in the top twenty.

The Prize Giving was held in the Dolmen Hotel, with Ella Stoggall winning prizes for third junior girl and also youngest girl. James Hadden also had a successful last day in the Laser Radial and finished sixth overall.

Everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable week, with varied and testing sailing conditions. We thank the Malta Young Sailors Club for their hospitality and friendship.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club
1st	TUR 308	Okan Arin	Turkey
2nd	ISR 311	Gil Cohen	Israel
3rd	MLT 93	Gabriel Pace	Malta
4th	MLT 103	Karl Cremona	Malta
5th	MLT 44	William Camilleri	Malta
GBR positions
13th	GBR5463	Nathan Bailey
15th	GBR5291	James Hamer
22nd	GBR5410	Tim Gratton
36th	GBR5426	Brett Hill
46th	GBR5459	Tarra Gill-Taylor
55th	GBR5411	Ben Gratton
64th	GBR5500	Ella Stoggall