Sailing High: Team Malta Shines at the 2025 Optimist European Championships in Turkey

From May 28th to June 3rd, the vibrant coastal town of Çeşme, Turkey, played host to the 2025 Optimist European Championships—a prestigious regatta that brought together some of the most talented young sailors from across the continent and beyond. With variable and demanding conditions throughout the week, the event truly tested the mettle, skill, and resilience of every competitor.

Team Malta rose to the occasion with an inspiring performance. Out of the contingent, six sailors qualified for the Gold Fleet and one for the Silver Fleet—an achievement that highlights the hard work and commitment poured into months of training.

Girls’ Fleet Highlights

• Sasha Nagrudnaya led the Maltese girls with an exceptional 7th place finish overall, and ranked 4th among European competitors—a testament to her consistent performance and tactical prowess.
• Julia Borg secured 38th place, holding her own in a deeply competitive fleet.
• Ella Demicoli finished 49th, showing solid technique and perseverance in fluctuating wind conditions.
• Samantha Axisa placed 74th, gaining invaluable experience that will serve her in future competitions.

Boys’ Fleet Standouts

• Isaac Azzopardi impressed with a 26th place finish, staying close to the front of the pack in most races.
• Corey Joyce came in 50th, showing sharp tactical thinking and steady improvement throughout the event.
• Luca Attard completed the regatta in 59th place, capping off the boys’ performance with consistent determination.

As a team, Malta finished 9th overall—a strong showing against some of the best young sailors in Europe.

Behind the Scenes

The campaign’s success was supported by a dedicated leadership team. Matthew Flores and Batuhan Cesur provided essential coordination and support, while Coach Ivan Vasilev offered expert guidance and strategy that proved crucial across the week.

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of Visit Malta and RLR, whose sponsorship continues to fuel the development of youth sailing on the island. They were further supported by BeActive-Sport Malta.