MEET THE SB20 MALTA FLEET: SAYONARA BABY

We spoke to Saul Vassallo, tactician of team Team Sayonara Baby:

“The Maltese SB20 national team recently participated in a regatta in Portugal as part of our preparation for the upcoming SB20 European Championship in Malta. Along with four other Maltese boats, we embraced the opportunity to compete against high-level international teams and sail in diverse and challenging conditions. The regatta presented us with a range of conditions, from light to medium winds, strong currents, and short choppy waves—quite different from the light currents and larger, slower waves we are used to in Malta.

One of the highlights of the event was the super tight and competitive racing. We enjoyed the intensity and the challenge of racing closely with some of the top teams. This pushed us out of our comfort zone and forced us to adapt our sailing techniques and strategies. This experience not only tested our skills but also helped us grow and improve as a team.

We are excited about the upcoming European Championship in Malta and hope to see many international teams join us for what promises to be a fantastic event!”

Let’s introduce the Sayonara Baby team to the SB20 family!

Craig Farrugia Vella is the co-owner and the helm for the team. He is a x2 national champion in the Optimist class and has had an extensive international sailing experience, competing in various international events. He finished 8th at the Optimist Europeans in Crotone, Italy in 2016. On top of dinghy experience he has also sailed in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Jake Mallia is the main sheet trimmer and co-owner of the boat. He began sailing in 2015 on an Optimist, competing twice in the European Championships. He then transitioned to the ILCA 4 class, where he also competed internationally, earning a silver medal at the Games of the Small States of Europe and participating in the World Championships. Additionally, he has completed two Rolex Middle Sea Races on a J/109 boat.

Saul Vassallo is the tactician and co foresail trimmer. He started sailing on Optimists and competed internationally at various European and World championships around Europe. Later transitioning to the ILCA Class he became a x3 national champion. Since then he has moved to yachts, competing in 5 Rolex Middle Sea Races, 1 Rolex Fastnet and various ORC World and European championships. He sailed these competitions on a variety of yachts such as the J99 Calypso, the First 40 Elusive and the Cape 31 Jubatus.

Kristian Borg Nicolas is the team’s bowman and the Spinnaker trimmer, he started sailing at the age of 7 on Optimists and later progressing to 29ers. He has since transitioned to mainly sailing yachts. Kristian has raced on a large variety of yachts, such as the J99 Calypso, the J92 JLance, the X55 Xpealidocius and X50 Rebel. By now he has sailed all over Europe competing in various competitions such as the ORC World championships in Porto Cervo, various inshore and offshore races in the Solent and has done 4 consecutive Rolex Middle Sea Races, the last of which he sailed on a Swan 65 called Lunz am meer.

We were curious what the boys think about the SB20 boat and here’s what they have replied:

Jake: “I think the SB20 is great because it operates like a big boat on a smaller scale, while still offering the feel of dinghy sailing with its close inshore racing.”

Saul: “The SB20 is a fantastic Class, combining my favourite aspects of dinghy sailing with the complexity and team work of yachting.”

Great to see this young talent join the Class and bring their skills and competitive spirit to our events!