Yachting Malta » Yachting Malta Awards

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Anna Rossi

4th February 2017

Anna Rossi

President, Malta Sailing Federation

Anna Rossi’s connection with sailing started when her son Jan started sailing with the Malta Young Sailors’ Club. At that time Anna’s involvement was that of a parent, a role which continued until 2000 when Anna was asked to take over secretarial duties, a month prior to the start of Euromed Regatta. Since then her tireless energy and dedication has resulted in year on year growth for Euromed.

Anna was also elected President of the Malta Sailing Federation in 2007, a position she holds till today.

Anna’s involvement in sailing is not limited to the local scene but has also been active on an international level having been team leader to Optimist sailors racing abroad, on several occasions. Anna has been regularly invited to manage the Race Office of the Easter meet at the Fraglia Vela Riva as well as in Dubai where she ran the race office for about six years. Anna, has voluntarily shared her expertise in other events in Ecuador, Tanzania, Italy, Wales and Croatia.

Anna has been a key member of the team that has enabled sailors to produce remarkable results on an international level in the Optimist Class.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – John Ripard

4th February 2017

John Ripard

Yachtsman, Former International Judge, co-founder of Rolex Middle Sea Race

Undoubtedly one of our foremost yachtsmen, John Ripard’s passion for the sea started at a very early age. His sailing prowess saw him represent Malta in the 1955 Mediterranean Games in Barcelona and in the 1960 Olympiad when together with his brother Paul, he participated in the Star Class. Eventually John moved up to larger offshore keel boats taking part and winning numerous offshore races. Co-founder and winner of the first Middle Sea Race on Josian in 1968 and on Tikka in 1970, John also won his class in the ‘Giraglia’ and ‘Campionato d’Inverno’ in Genova. In the early 80’s his international judging career took off. Shortly after his appointment John was appointed Chairman of the Race Committee for the Louis Vuitton Cup at the 1987 America’s Cup. This was followed by his appointment as alternate judge in Freemantle (WA) in 1987. John Ripard formed part of the International Juries in 1988, 1992 and 1995 America’s Cups. His judging endeavours saw him become a well-respected international sailing Ambassador for Malta. In 1987 John Ripard was appointed Chairman of the Yacht Marina Advisory Committee and under his watch the first Floating Pontoon Yacht Marina was created in Msida Creek. In the Republic Day National honours 1992 John Ripard was given the ‘Midalja Ghall-Qadi Tar-Repubblika’.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Arthur Podesta

4th February 2017

Arthur Podesta

Past Commodore Royal Malta Yacht Club, Skilled Yachtsman

Throughout his entire life, Arthur was very much involved in the yachting scene both locally and overseas. His association with the Rolex Middle Sea Race goes back to the very start, when he was present at the inception meeting for the race, and then a crew member on Josian, winner of the inaugural race in 1968. Arthur was the only sailor to compete in all of the first thirty five editions of this race. He devoted many years of his life to the Royal Malta Yacht Club as an active member, committee member and even Commodore. Besides the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Arthur was always involved (as an organiser or as a participant) in major yachting events in Malta. He encouraged many beginners to take to the sport, particularly by giving them the opportunity to crew on his own boat, Elusive. He was renowned for his experience, skill and knowledge and remains an inspiration to all who knew him.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Jean Paul Fleri Soler

4th February 2017

Jean Paul Fleri Soler

National Sailing Coach

Jean-Paul Fleri Soler has been coaching Optimist Class sailors at the Malta Young Sailor’s Club for the past twenty years and has been appointed National Coach by the Malta Olympic Committee from 2000 to date. A former Olympic Athlete who participated in the windsurfing class at three Olympic Games, namely Los Angeles in 1984, Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992 and 2 editions of the Giro D’Italia. Winner of three editions of the Sicily-Malta Windsurf Race and two Gold medals at the Small Nations Games in Cyprus in 1991 and Malta in 1993, Jean-Paul draws on this vast sailing experience to prepare his young sailors to achieve prestigious results both at European and World level. Suffice to say he is coach to the Bronze medallist in the European Championships 2015 and to the current Optimist Female World Champion 2016.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Joe Degabriele

4th February 2017

Joe Degabriele

Super Yacht Industry Expert

Joe Degabriele was one of the first locals to attract super yacht refits to Malta primarily through the Malta Super Yacht Services facilities, at the time part of Malta Shipyards Ltd. Under his stewardship the local capabilities to deliver high quality services increased exponentially and so did the size of the local subcontractor base benefitting from this industry. The number and the size of super yachts that started using Malta were a result of his credibility and reputation within the international industry. Whilst Joe Degabriele currently works in France the legacy of his success is still felt through the number of repeat customers that visit Malta for refit works every winter.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Gino Cutajar

4th February 2017

Gino Cutajar

President of the Super Yacht Industry Network (Malta)

Gino Cutajar has over the years been an active sailing enthusiast contributing his business expertise towards the development of sailing. In 1997 he was a founding member of the Malta Young Sailors’ Club and spearheaded the process to obtain the site where the Club house now stands. In 2007 he was one of the founding members of the super yacht industry network and two years after its inception he was elected president, a position he holds to date. He is a tireless worker, establishing the Super Yacht Industry Network in Malta in becoming the official recognised voice of the super yacht industry in Malta and contributing regularly at international boat shows such as the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show to ensure Malta sits firmly on the super yacht map.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Robert Corcoran

4th February 2017

Robert Corcoran

Luxury Boat Captain & Promoter of Yachting in Malta

Captain Corcoran has been working in the Luxury Yacht field since 1984 and chooses to winter in Malta every year. More recently he bought a home on the island. He is a strong believer in supporting local businesses such as for example picking up bread for the crew from a different bakery in the area. He does his utmost to employ, uses local contractors and does maintenance work locally. He regularly promotes Malta through his social media channels as well as through articles such as “Small but Mighty” on Superyacht News (May 2015).

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Aaron Ciantar

4th February 2017

Aaron Ciantar

Four-time Powerboat World Champion

Aaron Ciantar grew up in the world of boat building having accompanied his father throughout his boat building activity since the late 1980’s. Aaron’s first foray in the Powerboat P1 UIM World Championship goes back since 2004 and since then he has garnered a substantial number of accolades. His latest honour was claimed in December 2016 during a UIM organized championship (Class Vi). Ciantar has achieved best speeds, outstanding lap times and pole positions in his class whilst flying the Maltese flag in Ibiza, Terracina and Abu Dhabi.

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

Yachting Malta Awards Nominees – Kurt Arrigo

7th January 2017

ARRIGO Kurt

International Award Winning Photographer

Kurt Arrigo has been passionate about the sea from birth, counting diving, sailing and swimming amongst his foremost passions. Fittingly a significant part of Kurt’s career as a photographer has been engaged in the water. Kurt Arrigo’s career kicked off in 1992 when he was assigned to shoot the America’s Cup. From then on he went on to capture some of the most spectacular and dramatic action at elite international sporting events around the globe. Kurt has covered several international yachting events such as the Americas Cup, the Rolex Sydney-Hobart, The Fastnet and Rolex Middle Sea Race. In 2012 he won the prestigious award for Yacht Racing Image of the Year during the World Yacht Racing Forum. His work has also been published in numerous international newspapers, magazines, websites and books, establishing Kurt as a frontrunner of International Yacht Racing Photography.

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

Yachting Malta Awards

17th December 2016

The first edition of the Yachting Malta Awards will be held at the Westin Dragonara Ballroom on the evening of the 17th February 2017. This…

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