AS YACHTING MALTA CELEBRATES ITS SECOND ANNIVERSARY AND HOLDS ITS FIRST EVER AWARDS, IGGY FENECH SITS DOWN WITH CEO WILFRID BUTTIGIEG TO DISCUSS THE ACHIEVEMENTS, THE PASSION AND THE DEDICATION THAT HAS MADE YACHTING ONE OF THE ISLAND’S FAVOURITE SPORTS.
Article published on Sunday Circle magazine, distributed with The Sunday Times, Sunday 5th March 2017.
Left to Right:
Mr. Godwin Zammit – on behalf of Mr. John Ripard, Mrs. Roselle Borg- on behalf of Mr. Teddie Borg, Mr. Wilfred Sultana, Mrs. Dora Ripard – on behalf of Mr. Paul Ripard ,Mrs. Kristine Podesta – on behalf of Mr. Arthur Podesta, Mrs. Doreen Darmanin Kissaun – on behalf of Mr. Roland Darmanin Kissaun
The inaugural Yachting Malta Awards were held last night in the presence of some the stalwarts and key stakeholders of the yachting community.
Out of a total of seventeen submissions, the judging panel had the difficult task of selecting six individuals who, through their commitment, contribution and efforts, shaped the yachting community – as a sport and industry, as it is today.
The coveted Outstanding Contribution to Yachting was presented to the following:-
The Awards were presented by the various dignitaries present to the winners or their representatives.
The Yachting Malta Awards were supported by Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta.
Gerald Portanier
Commodore, Vikings Sailing Club
Gerald Portanier’s connection with the Vikings Sailing Club goes back to when he was eighteen years old when he started sailing Miracle Class Dinghies. In 2002 he returned to the Club to introduce sailing to his seven year old children. At that time the Club was given premises on lease from parliament and he worked with other volunteers to clean up the site as well as man rescue boats during dinghy regattas and contribute towards the organisation of various events such as cruises, regattas and the Round Malta Rally.
In 2005 Gerald was co-opted to the Committee. Since then he has been elected to various posts ranging from Rear-Commodore Yacht events to Secretary and Club representative on the Malta Sailing Federation.
Gerald’s passion for sailing has seen him volunteer, since 2008, at the Rolex Middle Sea Race initially undertaking bridge and scrutineering duties.
Following the Vikings Sailing Club eviction from their premises in 2014, Gerald was elected Commodore and undertook the task of rebuilding the Club from scratch. In the following months he actively pursued and successfully garnered the support of government entities in order commence refurbishing work at its home base in Haywharf.
The Yachting Malta Awards are being supported by Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta.
For reservations or further information please contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or on +356 999 777 78 or +356 999 992 61
Malta’s location in the heart of the Mediterranean has always played a key role as a sea faring nation. In recent years, Malta’s maritime pursuits have seen the country’s yachting activity grow through the development of sector from a sport and industry perspective.
This growth was made possible through the passion, tireless energy and expertise that a number of individuals, clubs and organisations have contributed over a stretch of time. The success of the sport and industry is a testimony of the efforts made by these individuals. Yachting Malta felt that the time was ripe to recognise and give tribute to such individuals.
The Yachting Malta Awards, launched in December 2016, were designed to acknowledge these efforts and the general public was invited to submit nominations.
“Yachting Malta felt that it was appropriate to honour and celebrate the outstanding and lifetime contributions of key stakeholders in sport and industry through the first edition of the Yachting Malta Awards – their efforts have certainly made an impact on what has become a flourishing sector” explained Wilfrid Buttigieg, CEO Yachting Malta. “Reading through the wide spectrum of nominations is not only inspiring but also a powerful reminder of the efforts and challenges that such individuals embarked upon to bring the industry and sport to be what it is today and as a basis for future growth.”
2017 Yachting Malta Award Nominees
The nominees vying for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Yachting’ award are:
Kurt Arrigo – International Award Winning Photographer
Teddie Borg – Sailing Media Pioneer
Aaron Ciantar – Four-time Powerboat World Champion
Robert Corcoran – Luxury Boat Captain & Yachting in Malta Promoter
Gino Cutajar – President of the Super Yacht Industry Network (Malta)
Roland Darmanin Kissaun – Yachting Industry Pioneer (1970’s)
Joe Degabriele – Super Yacht Industry Expert
Jean Paul Fleri Soler – National Sailing Coach
Malcolm Lowell – Entrepreneur & key supporter of the Rolex Middle Sea Race
Arthur Podesta – Past Commodore Royal Malta Yacht Club, Skilled Yachtsman
Gerald Portanier – Commodore, Vikings Sailing Club
Christian Ripard – Skilled International Yachtsman
John Ripard – Yachtsman, International Judge, co-founder of Rolex Middle Sea Race
Paul Ripard – Middle Sea Race Co- Founder, Olympian & Yachting Entrepreneur
Anna Rossi – President, Malta Sailing Federation
Lee Satariano – Yachtsman, Rolex Middle Sea Race
Wilfred Sultana – Journalist, Publisher and Events Organiser
The nominations are currently being vetted by the Yachting Malta Board of Directors. The winners of the first Yachting Malta Awards will be announced during a gala evening to be held on Friday 17th February at the Westin Dragonara Ballroom, St. Julian’s.
Yachting Malta would like to thank Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta for their support.
For more information about the nominees and reservations please visit – www.yachtingmalta.org/awards or contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or +356 999 777 78.
Teddie Borg
Sailing Media Pioneer
Teddie was a pioneer in promoting sailing on the Maltese media. He went through great lengths in order to bring the sport of sailing into every household via his TV programmes. Teddie’s work was proactive as he did not merely ‘report’ what has happened, as others seem to do, but created programmes that brought the spectacle of water sports to the general public.
His method of communicating his passion for sport was such that even to the uninitiated, sailing was still attractive and interesting to watch. In this he was very successful as most people came to know of sailing through his programmes.
Teddie always actively promoted Malta with everyone he met during his extensive travels to maritime events.
Teddie was also chairman of the UIM Malta Powerboat Federation and was instrumental in bringing the P1 event to Malta. In 2013, Teddie was appointed to the board of the Malta Sports Council where he was appointed Chairman of the national rowing regatta. Under Teddie’s direction and enthusiasm, interest in this sport was revived.
The Yachting Malta Awards are being supported by Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta.
For reservations or further information please contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or on +356 999 777 78 or +356 999 992 61
Roland Darmanin Kissaun
Yachting Industry Pioneer (1970’s)
Early in the 60’s Roland Darmanin Kissaun recognised the opportunity to build an industry when a few yachts started to visit Malta and base themselves here. It is safe to say that Roland was one of the very first Maltese to get involved in the local Yachting industry and over the years, either through his personal efforts or through his leadership of the Yacht Traders Association, Roland worked hard in the interest of the industry to see Malta become one of the most successful Yachting hubs in the Mediterranean as we know it today.
In 1989, together with other local Yacht Agents, he lobbied with the Maltese Government and the London International Boat-Show Organisers and successfully secured the main sponsorship of the London International Boat Show, where the centre feature was Malta. At the same time he successfully organised three successive local, internationally recognized Boat-Shows in Vittoriosa. Roland was also a mainstay behind the organisation of notorious sailing events like the Malta-Pozzallo Windsurf Race (1983-1994) and the Malta-Tunisia Yacht Race held in the 90’s. He was always ready to support and assist any sailing oriented activity organised by any individual or group.
For reservations or further information please contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or on +356 999 777 78 or +356 999 992 61
Lee Satariano
Winner of the 2011 and 2014 Rolex Middle Sea Race
Lee Satariano is one of Malta’s successful offshore sailors having built substantial experience through his several forays in the Rolex Middle Sea Race. His first participation took place on Artie, a J-109 which he crewed with Paul Ripard and his son Christian in 2005.
Mainly a club racer, Satariano participated in all editions since then, except in 2008. Satariano and his team on Artie came close to the ultimate prize in 2007, when they finished second overall and first in class. History repeated itself in 2010, finishing second overall and first in class. In 2011 and 2014, ARTIE, skippered by Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard steered Artie to cross the finish line placing 1st Overall, after 4 days, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 05 seconds. Sailing on ARTIE for this victory was Lee Satariano, Christian Ripard, Sebastian Ripard (co-skippers), Matthew Gusman, Sam Pizzuto, Tom Ripard, Matthew Almekinders, Gordon Bugeja, and Timothy Davis.
Whilst the title eluded them in 2015 and 2016, Lee and his crew encountered difficult conditions but nevertheless were able to secure a Class win once again.
The Yachting Malta Awards are being supported by Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta.
For reservations or further information please contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or on +356 999 777 78 or +356 999 992 61
Capt. Paul Ripard
Middle Sea Race Co- Founder, Olympian & Yachting Entrepreneur
Capt. Paul Ripard is considered to be one of the principle pioneers of yachting in Malta. Paul was one of the first individuals, with his brother John, to open a yachting agency in Malta. Paul was also among the founders of the Middle Sea Race – now known as the Rolex Middle Sea Race. In 1960 Paul was the youngest member of the contingent representing Malta in the Olympics when, with his brother John, represented Malta for the first time in the Star Class category. Paul’s expertise and his passion for sailing was shared amongst the countless successful Maltese sailors he taught and mentored.
The Yachting Malta Awards are being supported by Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta.
For reservations or further information please contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or on +356 999 777 78 or +356 999 992 61
Wilfred Sultana
Journalist, Publisher and Events Organiser
Wilfred Sultana enjoys an esteemed career with a forty-eight-year span and is the author of several editorials on Malta’s potential as a yachting haven featured in noteworthy international publications. He is also a well versed freelance journalist with frequent articles in the local media regarding the yachting industry and sailing in general. Sultana, was selected Malta’s Sports Official of the Year in 1986, awarded a Life Career Recognition in Media and Sport in 2013 and a Life Career Recognition in Journalism, Publications and Organisation in 2016. Wilfred has also been instrumental in the promotion and organisation of a variety of high profile events, the likes of the Malta-Pozzallo Windsurf Race, the Wishbone Windsurfing International Championship, the ‘off-road’ Camel Rally Malta, the Malta-Tunisia Yachting Rally, Faces of Africa Art Exhibition and World Ranking snooker tournaments. In 1994 he was Coordinator of the 1st Malta International Boat Show held in Birgu while in 2009 he organised the first of four Seminars on the local yachting industry. He is the founder editor and publisher of ‘Yachting in Malta’, a Directory to the services and facilities Malta offers in the yachting industry, first published in 1976 with its 12th Edition (2017-2018) due for publication in a few weeks’ time.
The Yachting Malta Awards are being supported by Mercedes-Benz, Simon Estates, Charles Grech and Transport Malta.
For reservations or further information please contact the team on awards@yachtingmalta.org or on +356 999 777 78 or +356 999 992 61
