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This year’s edition of the Beneteau Cup was held last weekend in reasonably strong conditions.  By the end of the briefing held on the Thursday prior to this three day event, 24 boats had registered all of whom knew that conditions were not going to be easy.  The organisers of the event even changed the program at the eleventh hour so that on the Saturday, where for the best part of the day it was blowing 35 knots plus, all boats would be tied on the Pontoons in Mgarr Harbour.

On the Friday afternoon race the boats had to deal with between 10 and 23 knots west to North West.  With a start line laid right opposite the new Excelsior Grand Hotel the boats reached quickly to Tigne point with Maarial, Aimalta Falcon and Medbank Elusive hoisting spinnakers.  The boats then headed up towards the west cardinal mark outside the Blue lagoon where a finish line was laid.  The changing wind direction and speed called for some sharp tactics on the 2 hour long beat.  Generally those sticking close to shore were favoured.  At sunset, when the boats were entering the north comino channel  the winds eased making it more difficult.  The racing got closer and boats crossed the line within seconds of each other.   

With Saturday’s race abandoned, all participants were focused on the Sunday run.  The wind was expected to be NW 25 knots which would make the run back to Marsamxetto sheer bliss.  With a start line laid outside Santa Maria Bay, the boats proceeded towards the west cardinal mark outside the Blue lagoon and from there back to Marsamxetto harbour to cross the line laid opposite the Excelsior Grand hotel.  After beating to the cardinal mark the boats cracked off and reached towards Ponta Rqiqa negotiating the westerly swell at their beam.  From the south comino channel onwards however it helped most boats clock double digit figures with most of the boat crossing the line at marsamxett in just over 1 hour.

Once finished the boats berthed in the basin at the Exclesior Grand Hotel were the presentation was held.