Yachting is not the first thing that you think of when talking about the iGaming industry. There’s no reason why the fun frolics of the industry shouldn’t be transplanted onto the warm blue sea of the Med. The past weekend’s iGaming Regatta on the Maltese coast showed that if nothing else, the iGaming industry is just as competitive on the water as it is off it. After the first day’s briefing and training out on the water in Valletta’s Grand Harbor, you’d expect that it was about time for a sailor themed evening of alcohol. Instead it was the earliest anyone had hit the sack at an iGaming event – fact.
The next morning was an early one for the six teams that were to battle it out for the “best iGaming yachter” moniker. Media Skunk Works, Paysafe Card, Aliquantum, IntraMedia and two teams from Plus 5 Gaming made up the field with a world-class skipper aboard each of the state-of-the-art boats. The three morning races gave an idea of who might be there or thereabouts at the end of the day. Penalty points were even dished out to some boats as behavior started to get the better of some.
The afternoon’s racing saw the course reversed and eventually the racing concluded. Skippered by Seb Ripard, the Media Skunk Works team of Paul Reilly, Nick Garner and Piotr Kudela brought home the bacon. Closely following them was the team from PaySafe Card of Jens Bader, Ilina Georgieva, Mariya Georgieva and Dan McMahon ably skippered by Benji Borg. Third place featured CalvinAyre.com’s own Rebecca Liggero aboard the Plus Five Gaming boat number one. Alongside her was Michael Caselli, AJ Thompson and skipper Per Sahlberg.
Once the day was done it moved onto an evening of presentations and entertainment at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. Food and an open bar greeted the guests before a delighted Paul Reilly was handed the awarded for first place. After picking up the award, he commented, “We all had a fantastic time out on the water. From the outset, we entered this competition with one thing in mind, first place. After all, you can’t have a boat full of super competitive SEOs and a world class skipper only to come in second place that just wouldn’t do. We’re already looking forward to next year when we will return to defend our title.”
All the teams involved have agreed to take part next year and this intimate event was a winner for all those that were privileged enough to attend.
