We gained a completely new perspective during our regatta debut in and around Malta for the Royal Malta Yacht Club Gozo Weekend 2024. Having completed several cruises in the past, it was time to take our progress to a more ambitious level - focusing on perfect trim to squeeze out those extra percentages of boat speed. After all, it’s the small details that make the difference at the finish line. And what could be more fitting than doing this on a true performance cruiser? Fortunately, we had the chance to sail "Seawolf", a Pronavia 38. This gave us access to a full range of trimming options and a noticeably higher performance compared to standard charter yachts.

Setting off from the stunning scenery of Valletta, it was all about positioning at the start line, having only limited space in Marsamxett Harbour and competitors all around. The challenge of precisely trimming 38 feet of boat in shifting conditions while executing tactics along the Maltese coast resulted in an unforgettable experience. Beyond the sporting ambition and the excitement, we focused primarily on the competitive learning curve: What could we do to squeeze out one more knot, what upwind-angle is the best compromise between boat speed and bearing for the finish line, etc. Doing hand helming and switching shifts regularly, it quickly became a competition within a competition to be the best at the helm - all on the fun-side including some friendly trash talk. 

The race consisted of four legs, starting along the northern coast of Malta towards the neighboring island of Gozo, which we rounded during the second leg. However, since our main goal was simply to participate and gain experience - and given that the second day was long and grueling - we decided to sit out the third leg, returning for the final leg back to Valletta. Nevertheless, we felt we had truly earned our place at the closing ceremony at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. 

This first racing weekend showed us once again why we love sailing: the perfect blend of technical precision, the power of nature, and genuine teamwork. We are taking these valuable lessons and the excitement of this debut with us into our future on the water.