Malta49er

Benji Borg

When I was 7 years old my older brother went to a sailing course on the Optimist, and me, being the pain in the arse that any younger brother is, I wanted to do the exact same thing. So, before I knew it I was out on the water and loving it! I finished the summer course, and because I liked it so much, my parents let me sail throughout the winter. As time passed by, I naturally became much more competitive and started doing really well against all the older guys.

When I turned 13, there was a big event taking place in Malta, the Small Nation Games. So being number 1 at the time, I got chosen to take part in the games. To cut a long story short, I ended up having to battle it out with the Monaco representative. Finishing on equal points, the jury decided to award us both with the Gold medal. This was my first taste of real success.

A few weeks after that, my father gave me the opportunity to compete at the European Championships in Croatia. That’s how it works in Malta; if you want to compete it’s all down to you. There’s no wealthy, organised association pushing sailors to the top, you have to push yourself. I had already taken part in the previous Europeans, however I hadn’t placed too well. My luck (preparation and opportunity) turned in Croatia. I was physically and mentally well prepared, which led to me placing 5th. This was brilliant for me. It reinforced my determination to aspire for the top, the Olympics.

After the Optimist I moved up onto the Laser Radial, this was a good class for me. I was the right height, right weight, and I felt really good on the boat. I placed 20th at the Europeans, and was getting top twenty results on the circuit. I also managed another victory in the Small Nation Games, winning Gold. However the problems came when I moved onto the Laser Standard (larger rig than the radial), which is the Olympic class for men. I’m just not physically correct for that boat, so that’s when I decided to stop sailing the Laser.

After a few months, Seb contacted me out of the blue. He explained what he was up to, and we realised we were both in the same situation. Both still driven by Olympic dreams and hungry for success despite all the obstacles of being a Maltese sailor: We decided that the 49er was the boat for us and believed that we could make it to the top as a team.

Our goal is to do really well in 2012 and win Gold in 2016. You have to set the bar high because if you are not trying to win, if you are not trying to be the best, then there is no point in even turning up.

Best Results before teaming up with Seb:

2002
Maltese Optimist National Champion
North Garda Youth International Week Optimist – 18th

2003
Maltese Optimist National Champion
Gold Small Nation Games – Malta – Optimist
5th European Championships Croatia – Optimist
Sportiv Tas – Sena

2006
Maltese Laser Radial National Champion

2007
26th – Hyeres Europa Cup
3rd – 56 Trofeo Ciutat De Palma – Laser Radial
Gold Small Nation Games – Monaco – Laser Radial

2008
21st Gold Fleet – Laser Radial European Championships
20th – Laser Radial Europa Cup – Scarlino

2009
8th Small Nation Games – Cyprus – Laser Standard