Watch: Discover The Five Young Maltese Sailors With World Championships In Their Crosshairs
Young Maltese athletes simply don’t get enough credit for flying the red and white banner at high-profile events, like World Championships.
Making waves behind the scenes are five, young sailors. Each forming part of Malta’s newly incepted National Youth team. And together, they have set a course for a World Championship in Bodrum, Turkey, come July.
Lovin Malta sat with Timmy, Jonas, Zane, Nicolai, and Jack. 12-year-olds with a dream, and the talent to realise it.
“We’re all here not because we’re forced to be here. We’re here because we want it. We want to do well and to continue to represent Malta.”
Their efforts have seen them rise to the highest ranking in Malta, which now means that they will go head-to-head against the top five of every other country in World Sailing’s main event.
To win may seem daunting. But one of the five already made the podium in a World Championship preparatory event after he managed to reel in a bronze medal in a competition fielding the same conditions as the main event.
In competition, Timmy Vassallo placed third out of 400 athletes hailing from every corner of the world.
“It was very exciting,” Timmy said with a smile on his face. “But obviously the hard work paid off. When it came to seriousness, I was serious and I pushed.”
Preparation does not come easy, with all five boys balancing school and family commitments with a daily five-hour grind in Maltese waters. But regardless of their effort, they do so because the sport has found a place in their heart.
“In sailing, you can learn a lot of life skills, because you have to be responsible. Responsible for your boat, your equipment, and even your clothes to make sure they’re clean and dry for the next day,” said Jonas.
“You learn a lot of skills for the future.”
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