Malta Open 2010 (ENG)

Following the friendly invitation of Malta Model Boat Association through Vinnie, its famous and cheerful secretary, I finally decided to put my shame of tenderfoot IOM sailor (from Feb 2007 on) away and to attend the 2010 IOM Malta Open.

I arrived late on Wednesday evening with a very convenient direct flight from Brussels and all my stuff (boat and sailboxes graciously transported by Air Malta for free as a sponsor of the event). Everything was in good shape even with the bulb having gone loose probably through security checks. The rental car guy was there and it took me 45 minutes to get to our hotel in Gzira (a little bit confused with right hand driving and one way street coming to Sliema).

Thursday 11/4/2010

A good night sleep and Robert, the ever laughing president comes to pick us (2 Germans + 2 British sailors) up and lead us to Birzebugga our championship venue.

Photo credits to Albert Micallef Jr

Very nice old fashioned location with a bar/fast food/pizzeria that will host lunches and boat/sails storage. Immediately the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming and we start practicing in top A rig conditions. Several sailors have already downsized their sail area which will give me some wrong impressions on my level. My fluo windvane seems to fascinate many, although they realise it might cast the light on possible penalties (better be camouflaged then!)

After 3 hours of serious competition we go back to the hotel and dressup for the welcoming meeting. It takes palce in the very nice premises of the Royal Malta Yacht Club overlooking Malta’s illuminated fortifications. Everyone receives a badge bearing flag, name and function to improve PR. We drink and toast (pre) celebrating the 3 days race.

Friday 12/4/2010

Today is the day! I decide to wake up early and reach B’bugga early but after driving half way I realize that I left my batteries at the hotel. Back in the traffic jams, which is not very good for early concentration. The top sailors are there: Graham Bantock (of course) our master and the one that kind of invented the IOM, Jens Amanda designer of the Test 5 and one of the best German sailors and of course all the excellent locals (Matthew, Robert, Albert and Alan). There is a majority of Bantock’s boat (Topiko, Pikanto and Icon), three Widgets (GER07 Pink Panther, GBR88 bright yellow (Vinnies boat lent to Ben) and BEL19 Black Butterfly. All in all 19 boats split into 2 fleets A and B. At each race the best 4 go up or the worst 4 go down which means average sailor like me never rest going up and down at nearly each race.

The course is perfectly laid is adapted at every major wind direction change. The Committee is professional and drilled and most of the competitors do their penalties at first hail.

From the very beginning, I understand how weak I am. Starts are “hot” and the first upwind needs thorough concentration. Nevertheless, I feel Black Butterfly is well tuned and I am no ridiculous compared to the 2 other Widgets but the difference with the best is enormous. No way to finish with less than one full leg behind. When I am lucky enough to climb in A fleet I am quickly distanced by the best and only once during the day do I manage to stay in A for 2 regattas. Sailing is clean and fairplay is present all day long. I finish 13 on 19 and second Widget.

In the evening, a dinner is organized and it is he occasion to chat a little more about Malta and its strange language (50% Arabic, 25% Italian, 25% undetermined…)

Saturday 13/4/2010

The clouds are everywhere and rain showers with a very irregular wind keep us busy and wet. The North East wind is chilly. We have to sit at the protest committee to rule a protest between 2 two sailors. Sailing gets a little more aggressive with the hours passing. Like on Friday I do go up and down from B to A and vice versa but 2 bad results at the end of the day make me come down one place at 14. As everyday, I bring my boat back in the hotel room and take a long shower carrying it in my arms to remove the salt and I recharge my batteries and Tx (trying not to forget them on the next morning :-)). Unfortunately I already have to pack my things as I will have to leave the competition in the middle of Sunday’s afternoon to catch the last flight to Belgium as I cannot escape Monday’s board meeting!

Sunday 14/4/2010

Unfortunately this is already the last day and time to go back to the gray and cold.

The wind has turned Northerly and picked up a bit.

The course has been changed to 3 sausages with 2 optional downwind buoys to be chosen by the skippers. I am too optimistic and race a disastrous first leg with the A rig (no way to tack in the waves and a lot of submarine downwind exercises). The swell gives additional surfing speed to the boats and the twin buoys show their necessity to split the fleet. The lunch break is shortened so that I can race one more regatta before leaving. Robert comes and gives me some additional tuning tricks which clearly improve my overall speed, but it is too late and the 2 races I will miss (DNS) will make me lose one more place down to 15 overall and last Widget :-((

But I am really happy, knowing how much I can still improve and having learned so much in such a short time. It was a super experience, I will certainly come back next year with a lot of fellow Belgian/French sailors and Mrs Black Butterfly herself!

Niżżik ħajr to the Committee and all the Maltese sailors that were so welcoming!

Malta Model Boat Association URL: www.mmba.moonfruit.com