On the last weekend of March (29th - 30th), the MPA will officially start the first Maltese National Championship. Before going to press we already have 9 teams which have confirmed participation in two different classes.

*TBA- To be announced

Any other prospective teams interested in participating can do so till race day, by contacting the MPA who will be able to issue a one day racing license or a season license. One will be issued with the RYA racing license after completing a one day course at the Beachaven Powerboat Centre.

Costs for participation:

• Membership - 10 euros
• Racing license including one day course - 23.50 euros
• Race insurance full season - 295 euros
• Race insurance day pass - 80 euros

All boat safety equipment needed for participation can be found on the website.

The race course designed for March, will cover a distance a distance of 3.7 nautical miles, with approximately 35 minutes of racing per race, racing offshore guaranteeing spectator participation and excitement.

Following a unanamous decision from the RYA racing board, the MPA are fully affiliated with the RYA.

For any further information reguarding participation or membership please contact:

Francis Cachia Caruana - MPA secretary - 99496758

Godwin Cutajar - MPA commodore - 99496979

Or visit the MPA Beachaven Clubhouse, Xemxija

Website for current updates: www.mpa.com.mt

As of last Friday, Government has adopted a General Authorisation regime for marine VHF radios installed on board vessels.

Part of these changes was the removal of the requirement for a ship radio licence for VHF radios installed on fishing vessels, pleasure yachts, and other vessels and that the relative annual renewal fee no longer applies. Conditions for use of VHF radios still apply notwithstanding the removal of the licence; these conditions were established under the Radiocommunications Act (Cap. 49). No licences are being renewed or issued as from the 31st December 2007.

Licence fees for marine MF/ HF radios and / or ship earth stations have also been amended so that the current fee of €174.70 (Lm75) has been reduced according to the vessel length. Vessels measuring under 24 metres in length overall now pay €35.00 (Lm15.03) annually, while vessels equal to or above 24 metres in length overall now pay €115.00 (Lm49.37) per year.

All types of maritime radio licences will be issued / renewed from the Merchant Shipping Directorate, Malta Maritime Authority, Maritime Trade Centre, Xatt l-Ghassara ta' l-Gheneb, Marsa. The applicable fee is also to be remitted at the same office.

Make sure to pick up a copy of the Times on Friday 18th January, as it includes the brand new Issue 77 of Boats & Yachting magazine.

The Times also incorporates BMA's new Yachting newspaper - On Deck. On Deck will include local and foreign yachting news, product launches, new boats as well as a brokerage section.

Boats & Yachting's issue 77 is packed with great content including boat tests for the Beneteau Montecarlo 37, Atlantis 48, Hanse 430e and the Comet 410s. Along with our regular light hearted section with articles from Vanessa Macdonald and Godwin Muscat Azzopardi, B&Y 77 also brings you the latest instalment in Bahhar's round the world journey, an interview with a Middle Sea Race skipper and a recipe to enjoy on board.

This website's article section provides you with a sneak preview of tomorrow's issue but you can enjoy the whole magazine in The Times or for the first time ever, by downloading it in pdf format.

Clipper Ventures Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE, today cemented his reputation as one of the most iconic sailors in history when he was awarded the Raymarine / YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award 2008. Following his inspiring exploits in last year's VELUX 5 OCEANS, a single-handed around the world race, he made history yet again as he claimed the title of UK Yachtsman of the Year for an unprecedented third time.

Twelve year old Laurence Greenough was awarded the prestigious title of Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Laurence follows in the footsteps of past winners Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie OBE, and world class yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur.

Laurence, from Plymouth, who is a pupil at Devonport High School for Boys, wins the award for his courage and determination to overcome adversity.

Laurence lost a leg in a boating accident in May 2006 but was back sailing just two months later in an unmodified boat. His commitment to helping others and encouraging potential young sailors is extraordinary for someone of his age. A member of the Plymouth Youth Sailing Club, Laurence took part in the Topper Travellers in the South West Zone in 2007 and also competed in the NSSA National Regatta where he finished 15th Topper out of 76.

The world class Collins Stewart London Boat Show in association with The Daily Mail opens its doors today for yet another spectacular year.

The Show was officially launched at 11am today by actor, writer and self-professed boat lover Griff Rhys Jones, along with boating legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, on the Main Stage powered by Fairline.

The Main Stage powered by Fairline hosts some fantastic features including the aerial spectacular Sea Queen Stage Show and fashion show, the debut of Boat Review 2007 and masterclasses from modern boating heroes such as Mike Golding, Geoff Holt and Adrian Flanagan.

In addition, exhibitors and sponsors will be hosting numerous events throughout the Show. Many new boats and products will be making their World, European or UK debuts while others will be announcing new initiatives or making presentations.

The Collins Stewart London Boat Show, organised by National Boat Shows, has a wealth of features and attractions to entertain visitors. There are over 500 exhibitors at the Show and over a thousand boats and products on display – making it the largest annual event in London.

The Powerboat P1 World Championship has announced the 2008 calendar, featuring five new venues including one in the Middle East.

The season, comprising at least 14 races will start in Italy in eary May, with Malta's event being moved forward to June 6th, hopefully in better weather than previous years.

Valletta and Portimao in Portugal are the only two venues retained from last year's calendar with races also being held in Marseilles, France and Vigo, Spain and Hammamet, Tunisia.

Valencia , 3 July, 2007 – Alinghi won the 32nd America’s Cup on Tuesday afternoon on the waters off Valencia. The Swiss Defender won its fourth consecutive race in dramatic fashion, to win the Match 5-2.

“I love this team,” Alinghi President and afterguard member Ernesto Bertarelli moments after the finish.

This final race of the America’s Cup was befitting of what has been the closest, most exciting America’s Cup in recent history. Emirates Team New Zealand spent much of the race ahead on the advantage line, but with Alinghi in strong tactical position on the right hand side of the race course. The Kiwis were never able to get a big enough lead to cross ahead and switch sides.

After making a pass on the first run and leading through the leeward gate by 14 seconds, Emirates Team New Zealand again found it couldn’t get across the bow of SUI 100 on the second upwind leg.

With both boats approaching the top mark separated by just a few metres, the Kiwis, approaching from the left on port tack, faced Alinghi roaring in on the privileged starboard tack. Both boats went into a ‘dial-down’ and the Umpires penalised the port tack NZL 92 crew for not keeping clear of Alinghi. That, effectively, was the race. Alinghi rounded the top mark ahead by 12 seconds and looked secure for the win.

But then, an enormous windshift saw Emirates Team New Zealand able to lay finishing line which was now upwind. As Alinghi struggled to drop its spinnaker, the Kiwis turned into tack to fulfil its penalty obligation. Now downspeed, the Kiwis could only watch in horror as Alinghi slid across the line, just one second ahead.

As SUI 100 crossed the finishing line, the crew was muted in its celebration, still stunned by what had occurred over the past five minutes. The spectator fleet paid its respect through a cacophony of boat horns. Then, the relieved and excited Alinghi crew took up a tow to join in the celebrations in Port America’s Cup

It was a perfect day for racing on the waters off Valencia, with the bright, warm, Valencian sun generating a strong 14 to 17 knot sea breeze until the final moments of the race.

Alinghi came from behind for the second consecutive day to beat Emirates Team New Zealand on Saturday 30th June in the afternoon on the waters off Valencia. The Swiss Defender put in a strong, controlled performance on a difficult sea breeze day. Hundreds of spectator boats crowded the race course to witness the win.

SUI 100 led early in this race, but halfway up the first beat, Emirates Team New Zealand was able to squeeze up to the Defender, and force Alinghi to tack. When the boats next converged, it was NZL 92 who had gained on the left to lead around the first mark. The Kiwis held on for the run, but on the second upwind leg it was Alinghi’s turn to find the shift, making a gain on the right side of the race course. The Kiwis tried to fend them off with lee bow tacks, but couldn’t make the third one stick, and Alinghi grabbed a lead it would never relinquish.

The Swiss Defender has won the last three races of the Match to grab a 4-2 lead in the series. One more win will see Alinghi hoist the America’s Cup again, its first defence a success. For Emirates Team New Zealand, it’s a difficult loss. The Kiwis now need to win the next three races to win the America’s Cup.

Racing will resume Tuesday 3rd July in the afternoon after Monday's light winds caused racing to be postponed..

As is often the case at such times, we all realise that we have lost someone very special and important to us. Sergio Carpentieri has left us, one of the best, a talented powerboat racer.   

Always a huge sports fan, Sergio Carpentieri, born in his beloved Naples on 20 October 1956, embarked on his sports career at a very early age. Rowing was his first love, a sport to which he was very much committed and in which he achieved outstanding results, winning two Italian junior championships and taking part in two world championships. With his indomitable spirit, at the age of sixteen he became captivated by water polo. Again the results revealed the champion in him and he immediately won an Italian junior championship.

He was however attracted by speed and at eighteen threw himself into the world of rally driving, although as a true Neapolitan and fanatic of the sea, he soon moved on to offshore and powerboat racing. The first inshore races were in the shadow of that great champion Antonio Gioffredi and in 1975 came the first participation in the Class 3C trophy competition at Naples.  

From then onwards he concentrated on water sports and in an incomparable career spanning over 30 years he won four Italian offshore titles in the 3 litre, 4 litre and 6 litre categories. He also won three European offshore titles in the 6 litre class and was ranked third three times in the world offshore 6 litre class and in Class 2. In 1985 he won the Bastia-Viareggio-Bastia event.  

He took part five times in the Venice-Monte Carlo event and won it once alongside Michael Reagan (son of Ronald).   

In 2006 he finished fourth in the P1 SuperSport class on the FB Design Sunracer 38 boat. He was competing this season as constructor of the Shipworks Carpenter 38 boat with two Yanmar 480 engines, a boat made to a design by the engineer Angelo D'Ettore.

He died suddenly on Saturday 30th June, leaving an enormous void for all those who appreciated his smile, joie de vivre, cheerfulness and the sunny nature that is the birthright of the place where he was proud to live, Bacoli, the small town facing Pozzuoli.   

The world of Italian powerboat racing has lost one of its greatest representatives. A great man.

In a weekend overshadowed by the death of pilot and team owner Sergio Carpentieri, Roscioli Hotels Roma posted a dominant performance to claim the Powerboat P1 SuperSport class in the German Grand Prix of the Sea.

The win strengthened the Italian teams championship challenge although it was Buzzi Bullet that crossed the finishing line first, with Chinese entry, Sun Lik Beer, no more than a few boat lengths behind. Time penalties then demoted the British pair, Drew Langdon and Jan Falkowski, to second and SunLik Beer to third. Buzzi Bullet had led from start to finish in a boat that, according to Langdon, now has a near perfect set-up. The result means that Championship leaders Roscioli Hotels Roma have extended their lead with the 2006 champions ExtremeBoat losing ground, having struggled with a propeller problem. Buzzi Bullet moves up into second place.

Until the penalties were introduced for breaking safety speed limits, the third place battle between Martin Lai and Andreas Chaikiopoulos in Sun Lik Beer and Angelo Tedeschi and Fabio Magnani in Roscioli Hotels Roma had provided the large crowds with excitement throughout. On the straight, the Chaudron 41 of the Italian's had a clear advantage but in the turns the tables were reversed. Behind them, VoomVoom.com was starting to show the true potential of the Yanmar powered Hustler Slingshot closely followed home by the Maltese entry Chaudron 2. The competitiveness of the production class was never more emphasised than when the FPT powered Sunseeker XS 2000 of Gavin Brown and Andy Wilby cleverly took sixth place from Extremeboat as the two craft turned into the final lap.

The first leg of the Powerboat P1 German Grand Prix of the Sea was cancelled following a racing incident at the start of the race in which pilot Sergio Carpentieri suffered fatal injuries following a start-lap collision with Fainplast.

The Italian throttleman and owner of Team Carpenter was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The crew of Fainplast and Sergio's co-pilot, Luca Nicolini were unhurt although Nicolini was taken to hospital, suffering from shock.

On the 5th May, around 20 of the world's finest powerboats will gather off Sliema at 2.45pm in readiness for a 'Round-the-Island' record breaking attempt, signalling the start of the Powerboat P1 Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea. The current record of 34 minutes 2.84 seconds was set by Kerakoll, the Italian muscle-machine of Mario Invernizzi, when the P1 World Championship visited Malta at the start of the 2005 season.

Two years on and the quality of machinery on the water continues to strengthen as P1 draws teams and manufacturers from across Europe and the United States. The international line-up of teams and pilots (2007 Teams) confirms the championships reputation as the most competitive of any in world powerboating and Europe's fastest growing motorsport.

"We consider ourselves as genuine Championship contenders," is the bold claim by team principle Chris Witty with the news that Fountain Powerboats, one of America's leading high-performance boat manufacturers and Ilmor, one of motor sport's most prolific and successful engineering firms, have announced their involvement to contest the 2007 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship.

The new team will be run under the control of Fountain Worldwide, the international sales arm of the North Carolina-based company, whose President is Florida-based Englishman, Craig D. Wilson. The race team will be based at Fountain's new British dealership in Bournemouth, Hampshire, and will be competing in the Evolution class.

Fountain Worldwide is the exclusive distributor for Fountain Powerboats outside of the USA and operates in association with 16 dealers internationally including Scandinavia, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the UK. International sales for Fountain boats has grown impressively in recent years from $3m in 2005 to a projected $10m for 2007 which is one of the reasons why Fountain Worldwide decided to enter Powerboat P1.

"We looked at the structure of the P1 rules, which encourages teams to race with production based products, and felt it was a series we needed to be involved in," says Wilson. "Interest in the Powerboat P1 series has been growing in the USA, partly through its TV exposure over here, and when Chris Witty approached me at the Miami International Boat Show in February, we started to look at ways of putting an entry together."

The 40' race boat, built specifically to the P1 power-to-weight rules, is an evolution of Fountain's highly successful SuperVee hull which won the 2005 and 2006 US National Championships as well as the 2005 World SuperVee title. It will be looked after by ex-Victory Team crew chief Steve Lawrence with the full technical support and input from former circuit boat racer and Harmsworth Trophy winner Mark Wilson of Twin Disc and will run with American-built Arneson surface drives.

Persuading Ilmor Marine to become involved in the programme was also a coup for this highly experienced team with Witty having already forged a relationship with the Formula 1 and Indy Car engine design experts by using their 'marinised' 8.3-litre Dodge Viper lightweight V10 engines in a limited race programme in the USA last year.

Paul Ray, the English CEO of Ilmor's North American operation, echoes similar words to that of Wilson when giving the reasons why they've become involved in Powerboat P1. "We're in this business to sell engines, so the production based format that P1 offers was sufficient motivation for us to become involved," says Ray.

Created in 2004, Ilmor Marine Engines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ilmor Engineering Inc, the internationally acclaimed race engine manufacture, and is located in Plymouth, Michigan. Ilmor Marine manufacture, supply and support a line of high-performance marine engines, based on the 8.3-litre Dodge Viper V10, re-engineered for use in the extreme world of high-performance powerboats.

The V10's normally-aspirated power output, lightweight and impressive torque were all sufficient plus points for Ilmor to recognise its potential as a high-performance marine engine which has subsequently been proved an unqualified success in the USA.

The first Ilmor V10 on sale in 2004 was rated at 550 HP and became an instant hit with many new customers. The 625 HP variant soon followed with equal acclaim and now they have created a 700 HP version. The race team plan to use the 625 HP versions - in order to meet the class power-to-weight requirements - which have a unique sound and will certainly appeal to all powerboat fans.

Fountain Worldwide boss Craig Wilson, 27, will form part of the two-man race crew operating the throttles. The team will make its Powerboat P1 debut at the second event of the 2007 season, the Italian Grand Prix of the Sea, taking place over the weekend of 26th/27th May. An official announcement of the driver line-up and team sponsors will be made prior to the opening P1 event, the Maltese Grand Prix of the Sea, on 5th/6th May.

Sailing legends Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard have teamed up with internationally renowned Portuguese sports promoter, Joao Lagos, to create a new annual global sports series. The World Sailing League (WSL) will be held at premier sailing locations around the world with the series winner receiving a cheque for $2 million.

Twelve teams, representing nations, will compete in identical, state-of-the-art 70ft catamarans. It is anticipated that there will be venues in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and South America. Cayard and Coutts are both committed to skipper teams in the league.

The World Sailing League will use a fleet racing format although a number of other innovative concepts such as time trials and slalom racing will be tested using the prototype yacht. It will also have a customised support ship to transport the boats and equipment to each venue. The ship will be akin to a transportable pit lane, with all the technology required to maintain the 70' catamarans.

The design of the boats will be finalised by early summer of this year with the first prototype being launched in the latter half of 2007 to allow sufficient testing and refinement. The 14 one-design yachts will start being built in 2008, ready for the launch of the series during 2009.

The new boats have been designed by a team including Marc Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prevost and are at the forefront of technology. The 70ft catamarans will combine speed, maneuverability and the ability to sail close to shore for optimum spectator viewing.

There will be a further media announcement towards the end of this year at which further information and details of venues, teams, sponsors and the boats will be revealed.

The sleek racing boat Kiton Cantieri del Mediterraneo is heading to the chic Italian ski resort Roccaraso as part of a three-day VIP show-business event being supported by team sponsor and exclusive men's tailors and outfitters Kiton. The 43ft craft, in stunning gunmetal livery, which finished runner-up in the 2006 Powerboat P1 World Championship Evolution Class, was invited to join this high profile celebrity event for its looks, style and achievements.

The event tales place from 7th – 10th February and is expected to generate major publicity as celebrities flock to the slopes from Italy and beyond.

The P1 racing team Trident is no stranger to celebrity high life; last year the boat formed a dramatic backdrop to a top fashion show in the city of Naples.

The Southampton-based dynamic racing duo of Vee Ganjavian and Charlie Williams-Hawkes will compete in American-built Hustler powerboat in the SuperSport Class of the 2007 Powerboat P1 World Championship. In their 2006 debut season both pilots acquitted themselves well, finishing seventh in a highly competitive class despite their Sunseeker XS being someway off the pace.

In the US, Hustler Powerboats has a racing heritage steeped in success and Team Hustler plan to extend this into Europe with a Hustler 388 Slingshot powered by twin diesel engines. The boat, considered one of the sleekest, fastest and most technologically advanced in its class, can reach speeds of around 90mph and there is considerable optimism on both sides of the Atlantic that a world title challenge is achievable.

James Brooke, co-founder of the Earls Court Boat show confirmed to the press that initial rumours about a new boat show running 'alongside' the Stewart Collins London Boat Show at Excel next winter are well founded as the show, "is definitely going to happen." Along with Brooke, the team behind this new show are John Vincent, Paul Streeter and Nigel Nathan.

Brewers Whyte and Mackay put forward £1.2 million to secure title sponsorship of the Earls Court Boat Show. “Whyte and Mackay shares with sailors and the boating community, a strong independent spirit” explains Vincent. “They are really up for having some fun with us.

At the official press announcement held on the 29th January, the organisers talked about the reasons behind this interesting decision to run another London boatshow in addition to ExCel, saying: "We have the funding, the skills in place and a passion to deliver what exhibitors and visitors want."

The show should run from 1-9 December 2007, with the organisers confirming that they have booked Halls 1 and 2 of Earls Court expect to fill both and run a phenomenal show.

Celebrating over 16 years of successful publication Boats and Yachting – Malta’s premier boating magazine – has a new look, new feel and a new editor as from the January|February issue.

The bimonthly magazine has been going from strength to strength over the past few years and each issue is now packed with a wealth of information and great coverage of local and foreign news and events. B&Y has also seen a considerable investment in broader coverage and contemporary design, ensuring that the magazine is eagerly awaited by all stakeholders of the yachting industry, from boat-owners to ship chandlers, as a source of news and information that is relevant and timely.

Content is refreshing and at times humorous with strong local coverage as well as news from the most important boating events around the world. This includes races and boat shows alongside the latest innovations that are released, harnessing cutting-edge technology to provide new products for a variety of marine applications.

In addition to personal classified adverts which can be inserted for free and a comprehensive brokerage list, B&Y also includes a new boat listing - a section which is clearly laid out to assist those interested in purchasing a new vessel with a logical and easy-to-navigate layout. Here you can compare most of the new boats on the market side by side, including some of their main specifications and recommended prices. To assist in all boating requirements the magazine also includes a comprehensive marine directory full of useful information and contact details and a marine brand index.

The new editor, Richard Muscat Azzopardi, has been involved with boats all his life, and had been the deputy editor of the publication for over 2 years. Dedicated to journalism and a keen photographer, Richard ensures that the content of every edition spans almost every area of interest in the boating world.

The January|February edition, issue 71, covers features that range from the UIM F1 races in Como to a technical approach to saving on VAT when buying a new boat and a guide on choosing the best insurance for your boat. Dolphin and whale conservation feature as part of B&Y’s commitment to the environment, while no less than four international boat shows are given in-depth coverage. Product launches, international awards, races and brokerage are some of the areas that appear as regular features.

Quality printing is taken care of by Progress Press, B&Y's printing partner that understands the exigencies of a high-quality publication. The new look magazine has done away with lamination in an effort to reduce the publication’s impact on the environment.

With a cover charge of just Lm 1.50 and a wide distribution there is no reason why a real boating enthusiast should miss a copy. The magazine can be found at all major newsagents. If your newsagent does not stock the publication, you would like to take out a subscription, or just would like to know more, you may get in touch with MB Publications on 21 490 539 or at info@boatsandyachting.com.

OSG Donzi finally carried the Evolution title of this season's Powerboat P1 Championship after an eventful and nail biting weekend in Cascais, Portugal.

Title contenders Kerakoll managed repairs with just a minute to spare to the start of the race and started on time despite announcing that they would not make it.

However engine problems in lap one promptly led to the title race being transferred to OSG Donzi and third placed Kirton.

Fainplast dominated most of the race with OSG Donzi and Kirton fighting for second place and the title. OSG Donzi powered by Sterling Performance engines, finally prevailed, claiming secong place and their first World crown, a well deserved victory from a hard fought season of excellent tactical and aggressive racing.

The SuperSport World title was won by the Dragon boat ARPRO, the British husband and wife team of Mike Shelton and Jackie Hunt completing a highly successful debut season in P1.

The runners-up spot and victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix went to Jolly Special, piloted by Simone Cesati, Eduardo Platero and Gianbattista Gabriele, with Ocean Dragon third. The Anglo-Chinese team of Martin Lai, Paul Williams and Mark Sansom, front-runners all season; suffered drive problems that deprived them of the glory that had been within their grasp for most of the year.

D'Agata Marine and their principals Harken are this year's sponsors of the fourth edition of the Malta Laser Class Association Regatta which is to be held at Mellieha Bay on the 25th and 26th of November. Launching and the race office will be at The Adira Lido.

The M.L.C.A. is hoping to emulate the success of last year’s edition held at St. Paul's Bay where as many as fifty dinghies had participated. Besides the Laser Standard, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 Classes, participation is open to the Optimist Class Dinghies, which the M.L.C.A. recognises as the foundation Class for the Laser sailors of the future.

This regatta will be the penultimate Laser and Optimist ranking event of 2006 with the last being the Euromed International Championship also to be held in Mellieha Bay in December.

Details of the regatta and the notice of race may be obtained by sending an email to maltalasers@yahoogroups.com

Kerakoll and OSG Donzi will go head to head in an Italian showdown for the Evolution Class World Championship title this weekend as the Powerboat P1 2006 season reaches the final Grand Prix in Cascais, Portugal.

Kerakoll team owner and throttleman Mario Invernizzi, along with long term racing partner Giovanni Carpitella, are taking no chances in their preparations. “We cannot stand still after achieving so much last season yet failing to win the championship” says Invernizzi, “The competition this year is even stronger and every team is capable of winning races. We have been thorough in our preparations for the season and Portugal will be no exception.”

Invernizzi is still smarting from a disqualification in Cowes last year that ended a challenge that for much of the 2005 season had appeared invincible. Invernizzi may consider himself the moral champion but in the history books his team finished as runner-up and that was simply not good enough for him and Carpitella, who between them have won almost everything there is to win in world powerboat racing!

Rivals OSG Donzi, piloted by the charismatic team owner/throttleman Giancarlo Cangiano and driver Stefano Cola, finished third in the 2005 World Championship and are ready to go all the way this year. “We were pleased with our performance last year,” says Cangiano, “but we are an all-round better team this season, from our rolling starts to our turning, our tactical awareness and of course the performance of the boat”.

Kerakoll and OSG Donzi each have four race wins under their belt this season. Invernizzi’s team took an early lead with impressive performances in the Grand Prix of Malta and Italy, but Cangiano successfully played catch-up with wins in the Mediterranean and British Grand Prix to bring the points level.

The two Italian teams are so evenly matched that the tactics and teamwork of the pilots will need to be at their ultimate best this weekend to prove that they are worthy champions in this winner takes all clash of the titans.

Thuraya, the 2004 Powerboat P1 World Championship winner badly burnt during practice at the Powerboat P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea in Gallipoli ; has been restored and will be given a Grand Finale in the Portuguese Grand Prix of the Sea.

The evocative sound of the twin-Lamborghini V12 engines makes this one of the most popular boats ever to contest the Championship and confirmation of its involvement in Portugal will be welcomed by all racing enthusiasts and petrol heads!

In Gallipoli a fire broke out whilst testing at sea and, with flames leaping six foot in the air, throttleman and former tennis star Adriano Panatta was forced to jump into the sea along with team mate Claudio Castellani for fear of their lives.

Adriano explained, "There was an explosion, then 30 seconds later fire. We jumped into the sea because we were afraid the boat would blow up. We were fine but it was sad to see the boat like that."

"It was very badly damaged and required a lot of work. We worked day and night to have it carefully restored to race in Cowes. Unfortunately the transporter bringing the boat to England arrived just hours before the second race after being caught up in a major accident on a motorway in France. It was a great disappointment for everyone concerned that we had gone to so much trouble to be ready for Cowes but were then unable to compete. We are raring to go and will be ready to take on all comers in Cascais!"

Team Thuraya has a new boat race-prepared to compete in next year's World Championship and it was thought that the team would introduce it early, following the fire, but Panatta had other ideas. "We have a new boat and it may seem that introducing it now is the way forward. But, I have too much respect for our CUV, it is a racing thoroughbred of 20 years and it would not have been the fitting way for a great champion to be retired."

"After Portugal it can hopefully be retired with glory and we can start a new chapter with an even more beautiful boat."

Thuraya, renowned by her fans for her powerful roar fuelled by twin Lamborghini V12 engines, will be in action off the shores of Cascais, Portugal on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October. Don't miss her final appearance in a Powerboat P1 Grand Prix of the Sea!

Just a few days after the end of the Maxi Rolex Cup, the Piazza Azzurra and the Marina of Porto Cervo are now jam-packed with crews from the record breaking fleet of 116 Swans all completing registration and inspection procedures.

The race programme includes five days of racing and throughout the week, the YCCS Race Committee will select a variety of race courses around the north-eastern coast of Sardinia and through the Archipelago de La Maddalena just to the north of Porto Cervo. Narrow straits, rocky outcrops, shifting winds and tight competition set against some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable, will test the crews’ nerve, skill and speed to the utmost.

The participating fleet will be split into four classes: Grand Prix, Classic, Swan 45 and Swan 601. The Grand Prix and Classic yachts will race under a special handicap system designed specifically for the Swan fleet, called NSR (Nautor Swan Rating). The rating gives a special allowance for crews living and sleeping on board throughout the regatta, thus encouraging family entries. The Swan 45 and Swan 601 are One-Design classes and will race without handicap, first home being the winner.

The 2006 Rolex Swan Cup will end with the Final Prize giving Ceremony on Sunday September 17th. The Swan Cup Trophy and a Rolex timepiece will be presented to the four winners of the event. Each class will race for individual class honours.

September 10, 2006

Alfa Romeo, Roma, Atalanta II, Magic Carpet Squared and Hetairos win their respective divisions at the end of a light wind week in Sardenia

The Racing division was dominated throughout the regatta by the two Super Maxis, Wild Oats XI (Australia) and her near sistership, Alfa Romeo (New Zealand), with Neville Crichton's Alfa Romeo claiming the title and Wild Oats ending third, on equal points with German Morning Glory, who finished second thanks to a series of consistent results.

Thrilled with his victory at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2006, Neville Crichton could not have been happier: “It's been a fantastic week of sailing, there have been enjoyable competitors and this is the best sailing in the world in my book.”

The final outcome of the series within the Cruising division was also decided on the last day of racing; an uncharacteristic mistake by Velsheda when she misread the course allowed Filippo Faruffini's Roma from Italy to claim the overall victory over the magnificent J-Class, designed by Camper & Nicholson in 1933. Gunter Herz's British entry Allsmoke (UK), which last year won in the combined Cruising division, wasn't able to defend the title, and finished the 2006 series in third.

The Italian Farr 70 Atalanta II, owned by Carlo Puri Negri, confirmed its reputation as one of the toughest competitors to beat by winning in the Mini Maxi division with a 6-point lead over Ernesto Gismondi's Edimetra (a winner in 2001). Massimo Violati's OPS 5 came in third in the overall scorings.

Great Britain's Magic Carpet Squared owned by Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors of L'Oreal, won the overall title in its division with an impressive record. Dark Shadow finished second overall, ahead of Carlo Sama's Tango.

The beautiful blue-hulled Hetairos won the series among the Spirit of Tradition fleet, ahead of Dutch entry Annagine. This fleet encompassed vintage yachts and modern day classics, yachts that are built to look like they are from a bygone era, but which may sport the latest keel configurations and be equipped with all modern comforts. Adela, the world famous schooner owned by American gas and media tycoon, George Lindemann, ended the championship in third. The largest yacht of the fleet by some 15-metres, with a LOA of just over 55-metres, Adela is a regular competitor at this event and is accustomed to leading the rest around the course. This time she found her match on the water in the form of Hetairos.

FINAL STANDINGS Place Boat Name Owner Nation, R1/R2/R3/R4/R5/R6/Points

Racing (6 races)
1. ALFA ROMEO Neville Crichton NZL, 1/1/1/2/1/(2)/6.0
2. MORNING GLORY Hasso Platner GER, 3/2/2/3/(3)/1/11.0
3. WILD OATS XI Robert I. Oatley AUS, 2/(4)/3/1/2/3/11.0

VOR (6 races)
1. ABN AMRO ONE ABN Amro Brand NED, 1/1/1/1/1/(1)/5.0
2. AMER SPORT TOO Giovanni Marangon EUR, 2/2/2/2/2/(2)/10.0

Cruising (5 races)
1. ROMA Filippo Faruffini ITA, 2/1/1/(3)/2/6.0
2. VELSHEDA Tarbat Investments GBR, 1/2/(4)/1/3/7.0
3. ALLSMOKE Gunter Herz GER, 3/3/3/2/(4)/11.0

Spirit of Tradition (5 races)
1. HETAIROS Rockport Ltd CAY IS, 1/2/1/(3)/1/5.0
2. ANNAGINE C. E. Van Asbeck NED, 2/1/3/2/(5(RET))/8.0
3. ADELA George Lindemann USA, 3/3/2/(4)/2/10.0

Mini Maxi (5 races)
1. ATALANTA II Carlo Puri Negri ITA, (4)/3/1/3/1/8.0
2. EDIMETRA Ernesto Gismondi ITA, 3/6/(6)/1/4/14.0
3. OPS 5 Massimo Violati ITA 2/5/5/4/(5)/16.0

Wally (6 races)
1. MAGIC CARPET SQUARED Lindsay Owen Jones GBR, 2/1/(4)/1/2/1/7.0
2. DARK SHADOW Antexis Ltd MON, (5)/3/1/4.50/1/4/13.50
3. TANGO Carlo Sama MON, 3/2/2/2/5/(7)/14.0

Hometeam ARPO won the Supersport class of the Powerboat P1 British Grand Prix of the Sea, a result which strengthened their second place in the world championship leaving them only 30 points from leaders Ocean Dragon with just one event remaining.

In only its second ever outing, wild card entry of Team Sunseeker finished the second leg with an impressive second place and third overall in the SuperSport class. These podium finishes are further proof that in next years championship Sunseeker will be a leading contender.

In Evolution class, the Seatek-powered Fainplast craft won the British Grand Prix with a well-planned tactical performance to finish fourth having done the hard work when winning the first leg. Ahead a superb battle unfolded as the championships two leading contenders, OSG Donzi and Kerakoll fought for the race win. The lead changed hands several times and for much of the race the distance between these 2000 horsepower ‘muscle’ craft was less than five seconds. As the waters became rougher and the action more spectacular, OSG Donzi began to dominate the eventually take the chequered flag and a third place overall in the Grand Prix.

OSG Donzi and Kerakoll now have equal points at the top of the Evolution World Championship title with just one round remaining. This is the third consecutive season that this existing World Championship has decided its champions on the final event and Lisbon Portugal will be it’s theatre.

The final round of the season takes place in Oeiras, Lisbon, Portugal over the weekend of 30th September and 1st October.

From Friday 25th until Sunday 27th August some of the fastest and most spectacular powerboats in Europe will be racing off Cowes. The 2006 event is set to be even bigger and better than last year with more action both on and off the water. An international line up of up to 100 race crafts and a crowd of over 65,000 is expected over the three days of this ultimate water sports experience.

Racing will be close to the shoreline and is headlined by the two-round UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship, where fast, furious and spectacular action is guaranteed as teams contest the British Grand Prix of the Sea. The full race programme includes competitive support class action including racing from Class 3-2L, Honda F4SA 150, Honda F4SA 225 and Thundercats.

Live entertainment for the whole family from the P1 Village will include a P1 Exhibition area, Live Music, San Miguel BBQ, Guinness Bars, Simulators, Reverse Bungee, Scalextric-style Raceway and lots lots more.

Don't miss the adrenalin-filled Powerboat P1 British Grand Prix of the Sea; come to Cowes on the August Bank Holiday weekend!

The 56th edition of the race for monohulls, the MultiCento race for multihulls, and the CentoPeople race for all pleasure boats: September 9, Lake Garda will become the Regatta Capital of Europe with more than a thousand contestants enrolled.

The traditional Lake Garda race, which has reached 56 editions, has now been joined by the first "MultiCento" race for multihulls and the new entry, "CentoPeople" a regatta for pleasure boats. On September 9, Lake Garda will come alive with over 300 yachts family crews, and nearly 6 thousand contestants. Forty years has also passed for the Riccardo Gorla Trophy, the "mezzo cento" or 50 mile race that will be held on Sunday, September 3, and will be followed by a week of events: the Italian Asso 99 Open and the great celebrations on September 9th, with a single departure for all three regattas.

On August 4 th, the P1 Management Committee met to consider the appeal of team Buzzi Bullet Offshore against the decision of the TCC made on 29th June, which did not allow Buzzi Bullet 2 to participate in the Championship due to a lack of compliance to Supersport rules. The outcome is as follows:

The decision of the TCC is upheld. Given, however, that Committee are satisfied that there is no effort to defeat or beat the intent of the rules and that the modifications required by the TCC cannot be performed in a timely manner prior to the end of season, the Committee will allow BB2 to participate in the last two Grand Prix of the Powerboat P1 season in SuperSport class as a wildcard entry taking no Championship points.

The Committee finds that the spirit of the SuperSport rules require that boats in SuperSport class have pilot and co-pilot side by side in the boat and that this should be clarified in the rules going forward.

Consistent with participation as a wildcard BB2 may be eligible for a position on the podium (in accordance with its finishing position) but its finishing position will not affect the Championship points or prize monies otherwise due to teams competing in the World Championship.

This decision is final and there is no further avenue for appeal.

Ralf Fröhling (UIM President)
Raffaele Chiulli (UIM Pleasure Navigation President)
Martin McDonald (Representative of the Promoter)

O.S.G completed a double-victory to take the Evolution Class title in the Powerboat P1 Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea. This win means that the Sterling-powered Donzi of Giancarlo Cangiano and Antonio Cola is now within 30 points of the Championship leader, Kerakoll, with four races remaining. Kerakoll were forced to retire with engine problems on the second lap.

In SuperSport the Maltese team Chaudron were dominant, taking an early lead, extending it lap by lap to win by a margin of more than three minutes. The team had clearly learnt from its hard fought third place in Saturday’s Endurance race and its performance today was exceptional, the aggregate of points scored over the two legs enough to secure them the SuperSport Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea crown. Pilot Aaron Ciantar and his sister Audrien make a formidable partnership and they now head to Cowes as the in-form team, knowing that after an indifferent start to the season they are closing fast on all the leading contenders for the Championship.

2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
Mediterranean Grand Prix of the Sea – Final Results

Evolution Class
Pos – No. – Team

1. – 88 – O.S.G Donzi
2. – 90 – Trident Kiton
3. - 64 – Fainplast

SuperSport Class
Pos – No. – Team

After an encouraging fourth place in the first race, team Chaudron raced an excellent second race in Travemunde, leading for most of the race, only for the Ocean Dragon team and ARPRO to surge past in the last two laps and snatch a maiden victory for the Chaudron 33 craft from under their noses. Although Ocean Dragon won the second race, it was ARPRO who clinched the title once again and extend their championship lead.

In glorious sunshine and with bumper crowds lining the shore, the Evolution class of the Powerboat P1 German Grand Prix was won in dramatic fashion by the Lamborghini powered Thuraya, piloted by Claudio Castellani, Adriano Panatta and Raffaele Giannoni. The victory was a fitting end for the petrol-powered Thuraya, with its evocative sounding Lamborgini V12 engines, as the 'peoples favourite' will be replaced by a brand new diesel-powered craft in time for the next event.

2006 UIM Powerboat P1 World Championship
German Grand Prix - Final Results

Evolution Class
Pos - No. - Team - Pts

1. - 76 - Thuraya - 160
2. - 66 - Kerakoll - 150
3. - 64 - Fainplast - 100
4. - 90 - Trident Kiton - 100
5. - 88 - OSG Donzi - 60
6. - 99 - FORtwo - 0

SuperSport Class
Pos - No. - Team - Pts

1. - 55 - ARPRO- 180
2. - 8 - Ocean Dragon Racing - 180
3. - 46 - Team Chaudron- 110
4. - 7 - Microlink PC - 70
5. - 50 - Jolly Special - 60
6. - 33 - FORone - 40
7. - 21 - Italcraft XT - 50
8 - Carpenter - 40
9. - 20 - Emmecidue FPT - 30
10. - 44 - Oba Oba Racing - 0
11. - 17 - Searex - 0

B&Y have just launched an online community. You can visit it at boatsandyachting.com/community

Please join up and contribute to make our community by adding interesting tips and tricks, locations to visit and more. You can also ask questions online.

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The Royal Malta Yacht Club will, this Saturday, start a new offshore race in its sailing calendar.

Over the years the RMYC has been offering one way races to neighbouring Sicily with the exception of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which rounds Sicily and its neighbouring islands.

The race committee has now found a new turning mark, an oil platform situated on the Vega Oil Fields. The platform is 40 nautical miles due North from Malta and just 11 miles off Pozzallo harbour. Once round the platform, boats have to make their way back to Malta, and with the forecasted weather, this could take them well into Sunday morning.

Sonke Stein, Managing Director of Oiltanking (Malta) was very pleased to be chosen as the main sponsor for the event. "We could not have chosen a more appropriate offshore race to support the Royal Malta Yacht Club in its activities. Our oil tanking activities in Malta and the fact that the fleet will be rounding an oil rig seem to go hand in hand"
Mr Stein is also a very keen sailor and member of the R.M.Y.C. and will be participating in his new Ker 11.3 racing boat "Kerisma"

Godwin Zammit, Racing Commodore was also pleased with the number of entries and the enthusiasm shown by the skippers for this race. "Offshore racing attracts a different breed of sailors to the starting line, and with eleven entries for the events' 1st Edition, we are more than satisfied with the outcome."

Racing will start on Saturday 27th May at 0830hrs from the waters opposite the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Manoel Island. The prize giving will be held at the Yacht Club on Friday, 2nd June.

Date: May 28th 2006
Time: 10 a.m to 6 p.m
Location: Haywharf

Come down and try dinghy sailing. Vikings provide the boats, the crew and the safety equipment, and only ask for a donation of 50c per person (or more) for a half-hour ride...

Food and drinks will be on sale.

Caffari's record-breaking 29,100 mile voyage lasted 178 days, 3 hours, 6 minutes and 15 seconds*. She crossed the official finish line in sight of the observer from the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC)** off Lizard Point, UK, and completed a passage which ensures her a place in maritime history.

"When I crossed the line I was overwhelmed with emotion, it was the proudest moment of my life and becoming the first woman to complete this voyage is a great honour. I have been dreaming about this moment since the idea was first born, visualising it when things got tough and thinking about how it would feel, and when I did it a huge wave of relief and happiness washed over me," said Caffari.

Sir Chay Blyth, Caffari's mentor and the first person to complete the same arduous voyage in 1971, commented:

"Dee has demonstrated an astonishing range of skills and attributes to complete this remarkable voyage. Her determination is second to none and she has inspired people all over the world to take on their own challenges."

Sailing round the world against the prevailing winds and currents has been so hard because the elements were literally against Caffari for much of the voyage. The straight-line course around the world from east to west is approximately 24,500, but Caffari was forced to sail an extra 4600 miles.

Caffari will now make her way to Ocean Village in Southampton, UK where HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of The Challenge Business International Limited, will welcome her back to dry land at the end of her marathon journey. HRH The Princess Royal was the first person to welcome home Dee's mentor, Sir Chay Blyth, when he became the first person to complete this voyage back in 1971. Thousands of people are expected to celebrate her homecoming which is scheduled to be 12.00 noon (BST) Sunday 21 May 2006.

* The total distance of the Aviva Challenge will be 29,100 miles. Rule 26(a) of the WSSRC rules 2005-2008 states that to sail round the world, a vessel must start from, and return to, the same point. As Dee began the voyage at The Lizard, UK, she will return to the same point to officially complete her circumnavigation.

** The World Sailing Speed Record council (WSSRC) is the official body authorised by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to provide impartial ratification of claims to timed records. An observer will be present to witness Caffari crossing the finish line so the circumnavigation and world record can be ratified

Hans Horrevoets, a crew member aboard ABN AMRO TWO, one of the two ABN AMRO yachts competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005 - 2006, died earlier this morning after being swept overboard from the boat.

ABN AMRO TWO was sailing downwind in 25 - 30 knots of wind under main, fractional spinnaker and staysail. Seb Josse, Skipper of ABN AMRO TWO was at the helm, Hans, 32 of the Netherlands was trimming the spinnaker sheet, Nick Bice, Andrew Lewis and Lucas Brun were also on deck. The boat nosedived down a wave and water came washing back down the deck, when the water cleared Hans was no longer on deck.

ABN AMRO TWO Navigator Simon Fisher explained the incident, "Immediately Seb hailed a 'man overboard' and we initiated man overboard procedures and put in place the GPS positioning. The boat immediately turned around and began to search for him, meanwhile raising the alarm on shore. After Hans was found he was lifted back on board and the Accident and Emergency(A&E) department at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK was notified that we had a major medical emergency and to stand by. Unfortunately our attempts to resuscitate him were not successful."

The crew are no longer in racing mode but are making their way to Portsmouth as quickly as possible and will make a decision on further participation in the race during the Portsmouth stopover.

Date: 14th May 2006

Although winds calmed down, leg two of the Grand Prix of Malta was by no means uneventful, with strong competition in the Evolution class between OSG and Kerakoll, while Fainplast was not far behind.

During the race the lead changed hands three times but OSG finally won and the second position went in favour of Kerakoll by no more than a boat's length. Buzzi Bullet dominated the Supersport class, winning with an advantage of over four minutes. Second placed Arpro seemed to have engine trouble and stopped twice, but some impromptu repairs enabled them to clinch a podium position.

With their second placing in leg two, leg one winners Kerakoll and Arpro emerged winners overall in the Malta Grand Prix due to the fact that Saturday's endurance race was longer.

Unfortunately, more engine trouble forced Maltese Chaudron team to retire early on in the race, ending a disappointing start for the locals. One hopes they will have more luck in subsequent races.

Leg Two Results

Evolution Class

1 - 88 - OSG Donzi - ITA - 47:51.35 - 100
2 - 66 - Kerakoll - ITA - 48:09.75 - 80
3 - 64 - Fainplast - ITA - 48:12.66 - 60
4 - 76 - Thuraya - ITA - 52:53.11 - 50

SuperSport Class

1 - 47 - Buzzi Bullet - GBR - 51:24.90 - 100
2 - 55 - ARPRO - GBR - 55:41.95 - 80
3 - 50 - Albatro Marine - ITA - 57:28.39 - 60
4 - 20 - Emmicidue FPT - ITA - 53:01.95 + 3 Laps - 50
5 - 21 - Italcraft XT - ITA - 54:33.13 + 3 Laps - 40
6 - 3 - Carpenter - ITA - 56:08.75 + 4 Laps - 30
7 - 8 - Ocean dragon - CHN - 17:03.54 + 7 Laps - DNF
8 - 51 - Sarim P1 - ITA - 29:53.93 + 8 Laps - DNF
9 - 33 - FORone - BEL - 30:05.90 + 5 Laps - DNF

Overall Results

Evolution Class

1 - 66 - Kerakoll - ITA - 180
2 - 88 - OSG Donzi - ITA - 180
3 - 76 - Thuraya - ITA - 110
4 - 64 - Fainplast - ITA - 60
5 - 81 - Wettpunkt.com - AUT - 0
7 - 90 - Trident Kiton - ITA - 0

SuperSport Class

1 - 55 - ARPRO - GBR - 180
2 - 47 - Buzzi Bullet - GBR - 180
3 - 50 - Albatro Marine - ITA - 120
4 - 20 - Emmicidue FPT - ITA - 70
5 - 3 - Carpenter - ITA - 50
6 - 8 - Ocean dragon - CHN - 40
7 - 21 - Italcraft XT - ITA - 40
8 - 44 - Oba Oba Racing - ITA - 30
9 - 46 - Chaudron - MTA - 0
10 - 33 - FORone – BEL - 0

A more detailed report will be published in Issue 68 of Boats & Yachting magazine

Date: Saturday 13th May 2006

High winds and glorious sunshine made for an exciting and challenging start to the P1 season. The endurance leg of the Grand Prix of Malta this year included the long awaited round Malta race which had to be omitted in previous years due to strong winds.

The Kerakoll team emerged victors of the Evolution class and in doing so broke the round Malta speed record at an average of 107.48 km per hour. In the Superport class, newcomers Team Arpro wowed the crowds by coming in first with a timing not far from that of the winners of the Evolution class and over 5 mins before Buzzi Bullet who clinched second place in the Superport class.

Local Team Chaudron, seeminglt destined for a podium finish, were among those who suffered teething troubles and had to retire after some twenty minutes of competitive racing due to engine problems.

Leg One Results (Provisional)

Evolution Class

1. 66 KeraKoll (ITA) - F&B Design/Isotta Fraschini - 100pts
2. 88 O.S.G Donzi (ITA) - Donzi/Sterling Performance - 80pts
3. 76 Thuraya (ITA) - CUV/Seatek - 60pts
4. 75 SIF - 50pts

64 Fainplast (ITA) - Metamarine/Seatek - DNF
81 Wettpunkt (AUT) - Power Marine/Isotta Fraschini - DNF
90 Trident Kiton (ITA) - Metamarine/Isotta Fraschini - DNF

SuperSport Class

1. 55 ARPRO (GBR) - Dragon/Mercury - 100pts
2. 47 Buzzi Bullet (GBR) - F&B Design/Mercury - 80pts
3. 50 Albatro Marine (ITA) - Albatro/Yanmar - 60pts
4. 3 Carpenter (ITA) - TBC/TBC - 50pts
5. 8 Ocean Dragon (CHN) - Formula/Mercruiser - 40pts
6. 44 OBA OBA Racing (ITA) - Formula/Mercruiser - 30pts
7. 20 Emmicidue FPT (ITA) - Apache/FPT Iveco - 20pts

33 FORone (BEL) - Ring/Mercury - DNF
46 Team Chaudron (MLT) - Chaudron/Mercruiser - DNF
21 Italcraft XT - DNF
51 Sarima P1 - DNF

A more detailed report will be published in Issue 68 of Boats and Yachting Magazine

Due to shipping movements, it was announced that the supporting acts to the Powerboat P1 Grand Prix in Malta are to be postponed to 5 pm

The Thundercats race and the Jet Ski display will now be held after the endurance race which will be held on Saturday