Maltese youngsters aim to shine against world's best in Dubai Junior Regatta after school clampdown reduces team strength
Dubai, UAE: A clampdown by school headmasters has restricted the strength of the Maltese challenge in the Dubai Junior Regatta later this month, but one of the major titles at stake could again end up on the Mediterranean island.
National champion Karl Cremona, who makes his third appearance in the Emirates Airline-sponsored event, has been tipped by Malta's team coach, Mark Fleri Soler, as a potential winner of the Optimist class over five days of racing starting on January 26.
Soler's son Matthew, reigning national champion in the Laser 4.7 class, is the only other Maltese competitor who will be going into action at Dubai International Marine Club in the world's largest junior sailing festival.
"This year our school head masters only allowed top ranking sailors to miss out on school, therefore we will only have our top Optimist and 4.7 Laser sailors in Dubai," said Mark. "I believe Karl will be a very strong contender and is capable of winning the Optimist class. As for Matthew, it will be his first big regatta in the Laser so it is hard to say if he can perform well at such an early stage."
With a population of only just over 400,000, Malta is normally seen as a minnow in international sporting competition, but the country's young sailing talent are not daunted by the task ahead in Dubai, where they will be up against teams from 24 other countries.
Three years ago, Soler won the Optimist class outright while Cremona finished third and also carried off the Cadet Optimist title as a seven-strong Malta party captured the Team Cup. A year later Soler and Cremona helped Malta to second place overall in the event, which enthusiasts can keep track of by visiting www.dimc-uae.com
Said Mark Fleri Soler: "The Dubai Junior Regatta is a very important event for our team and it is very sad for us to compete this year with only two sailors. But I am sure that next year we will again send a very strong team from Malta."
Taking place under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates, the Dubai Junior Regatta is organised by Dubai International Marine Club in conjunction with the UAE Marine Sports Federation and the ISAF, the world governing body of sailing.
With a record line-up of 163 competitors between the ages of nine and 18 and 59 team officials from the 24 competing countries, the event is co-sponsored by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, the official hotel, Trek, Rudy Project, Al Boom Marine, Dubai's Victory Team, Duboats and El Mundo.
Boasting a total of 39 competitors split between the national squad and teams from Jebel Ali Sailing Club and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, the host country's hopes are high, although the challenge from overseas is considerable.
Spreaheaded by reigning world junior champion Justin Onvlee, who carried off the Laser title in Dubai last year, South Africa are again expected to be a major force, while Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Bulgaria along with Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar and Pakistan will all be strongly represented.
Providing a big international stage for the best young sailing talent from the Gulf region as well as the sport's top teenagers worldwide, the Dubai Junior Regatta will include separate courses for the Optimist and Laser 4.7 events. There will be 14 races in all, with three each day from January 26-29 and the final two on January 30 prior to the prize giving ceremony.
-Ends-
For further press information please contact
Tony Lewis / Jennie Brown
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 4 336 9909
Fax: + 971 4 336 9905
Email: tony@totalcompr.com / jennie@totalcompr.com
© Press Release 2005
