Elusive 2 claims third consecutive victory at the 2025 Zhik Double Handed Figure of 8 Race

The Royal Malta Yacht Club’s 2025 edition of the Zhik Double Handed Figure of 8 Race delivered yet another dramatic and demanding double handed challenge – reaffirming its reputation as one of the toughest events on the club’s racing calendar.

Testing conditions, tactical calls, and physical endurance defined this year’s competition.

Skippered by brothers Aaron and Christoph Podesta, Elusive 2 delivered an outstanding performance to secure the trophy for the third consecutive year.

The Zhik Double Handed Figure of 8 course takes the fleet through some of the most exposed and technical waters around the Maltese Islands.

Starting between Fort St Elmo and Tigné Point, the fleet headed north towards Aħrax, keeping seaward of all cardinal marks along Malta’s east coast before entering the South Comino Channel, rounding Gozo to starboard, and returning through the North Comino Channel.

The final stretch saw sailors push down the island’s wild west coast – leaving Filfla, Bengħajsa and the Munxar cardinal mark to port – before finishing at the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Conditions on the day added a further layer of challenge.

Weather began lighter than expected, gradually building throughout the race to around 20 knots.

By the time the fleet reached the west coast and the Comino channels, sailors were contending with two-metre waves, some steep and surfable due to the previous night’s build-up.

The opening battle was fought between Vivace (Andrew Agius Delicata/Matthew Gabriele) and Calypso (Sebastian Ripard/Kristian Borg Nicolas), who crossed the start line in a dramatic neck-and-neck duel. Ton Ton Laferla (Jonathan/Gerald Gambin) followed closely as the fleet made its way up Malta’s eastern coastline.

The first major positional reshuffle occurred off Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, where Elusive 2, Vivace and Ton Ton opted for an inshore route, while Calypso and Lartista (Matthew Micallef/Andrea Vella) ventured further offshore.

Approaching the South Comino Channel, Elusive 2 held a commanding margin, with Ton Ton and Vivace still locked together. Ton Ton Laferla was later forced to retire near Comino, clearing the way for Vivace, Lartista and Calypso to continue their pursuit.

By Qortin, the gaps had widened significantly, but the tactical battle for the remaining podium positions intensified. As the fleet rounded Gozo, Calypso surged forward, edging close to Vivace and injecting further suspense into the chase down the west coast.

Elusive 2 crossed the finish line first, followed by Calypso and Vivace.

“In those very rough conditions we knew it would be hard to balance how much to push and keep everything in one piece, always respecting the limits of being just two of us,” said Elusive 2 skipper Aaron Podesta.

After time correction, Elusive 2 topped the final standings ahead of Vivace (Andrew Agius Delicata/Matthew Gabriele) and Calypso (Sebastian Ripard/Kristian Borg Nicolas).

Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Mark Napier congratulated the winners and expressed the club’s appreciation to RLR Yachting – local representatives of Zhik – for their continued support of this race.

The 2025 RMYC Race Calendar will wrap up with the Medcomms Round Malta Race, which will take place on December 13.