Malta’s National Offshore Sailing Team made a sensational start to its international campaign after Viva Malta claimed overall victory at the prestigious Roma Per Tutti offshore race, securing Line Honours as well as IRC and ORC overall titles.

Competing aboard the Cookson 50 Viva Malta, the Maltese team triumphed in the 540-nautical-mile classic, which started from Riva di Traiano on Saturday, April 12, marking a historic debut on the international offshore racing scene.

The result follows months of preparation, including an extensive crew selection process aimed at assembling a competitive national team for Malta’s first major offshore sailing campaign abroad.

The race presented testing conditions from the outset, with a strong southerly breeze driving the fleet south during the opening stages. Crews then encountered gusts of up to 38 knots and waves measuring between four and six metres, conditions which forced several retirements.

Despite the difficult weather, the Maltese crew maintained a disciplined approach, preserving both pace and control to remain firmly in contention.

As the fleet approached Lipari, the weather pattern shifted and the southerly wind was replaced by a fresh south-westerly breeze, allowing Viva Malta to excel on the return leg north towards Rome in downwind conditions.

The final 60 miles brought further challenges, with thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rain disrupting the closing stages. However, the Maltese team held their nerve to cross the finish line first and complete an extraordinary clean sweep.

Co-skipper Zach Zammit described the result as a proud moment for everyone involved in the project. He thanked the Malta Sailing Federation, local sailing clubs and the families of the crew for their support, while also praising Boat Captain Ramon Sant Hill for preparing the yacht in time for the race.

Fellow co-skipper Saul Vassallo said the crew had faced “every horrible sailing condition possible”, including storms, transition zones and heavy seas, but praised the team’s unity and performance throughout the race.

The victory also carried personal significance for Sant Hill, who was part of the crew aboard Sciara when it won the same race in 2009. Returning to Riva di Traiano as Boat Captain of Malta’s national team and winning again represented a memorable full-circle moment.

The victorious Maltese crew consisted of co-skippers Zach Zammit and Saul Vassallo, Boat Captain Ramon Sant Hill, together with Isaac Vassallo, Nick Debono Drury, Alex Siegler, Shaun Miggiani, Karl Miggiani, Jake Satariano, Gregory Mifsud Orlando, Patrice Pace and Pascal Pace.

Malta Sailing Federation president Michael Mifsud hailed the achievement as a landmark moment for local sailing and a statement of intent for the future. He said Viva Malta’s clean sweep on debut showed the potential of Maltese sailors on the international stage.

The team’s next challenge will come on May 8 when Viva Malta competes in the 71st Regata dei Tre Golfi in the Bay of Naples.