Anouschka’s sailing journey with Vikings

My name is Anouschka Vella, I am 17 years old born and raised in Malta. I grew up near the sea with a family that loves the sea. After falling in love with the field while sailing I am going to study in the maritime section while I am also finishing my diploma in music performance.

 

My sailing story began years ago when my father first encouraged me to take up the sport. Sailing had been a part of my life growing up, but in 2016, I stopped. It wasn’t until July of 2023, after helping friends prepare for regattas, that I decided to give sailing another go. Little did I know that stepping back onto a boat would reignite the passion I thought I’d lost. From that moment, I fell in love with the sport all over again.

 

On July 10th, 2023, I officially started this new chapter of my sailing journey with Vikings Sailing Club. From the very beginning, it became more than just a training ground. The club’s welcoming atmosphere made it feel like a second home. Vikings is more than a place to sail; it’s a community built on hospitality.

Steering the course

One of my most memorable experiences at the club was participating in a Women in Steering workshop. Organized in collaboration with the Royal Malta Yacht Club, the workshop brought together female skippers to guide and mentor other women sailors. It was empowering to be one of the female skippers, helping others improve their skills and confidence on the water. Another memorable and unforgettable experience happened during the open day where in between chartering people around the harbour and explaining the basic parts of a sail boat and how it works, Jean—Marc who is a younger racer and myself decided to test the Laser 16, a boat we only use currently as a teaching boat. It was fun to see this boat can go quite fast and to sail with such a fun and energetic young sailor.

I began my return to sailing by learning on Laser 16s and RS Visions, but I quickly moved on to sailing the Topper boat. By December 2023, I took a leap and bought my own boat—a Topaz Race X, which I affectionately named Jaws. After a while, I sold Jaws and invested in a Laser, which I now sail in the ILCA 4 Class. I also get the opportunity outside of the club to sail larger boats like the SB20, which provides a variety of challenges and experiences on the water.

Sailing has transformed me, both physically and mentally. It’s a sport that demands fitness, endurance, and strength, especially when you’re out in unpredictable weather conditions. But beyond the physical aspect, it’s the mental resilience that sailing builds which stands out the most. Out there on the water, you have to stay calm and composed, even when the wind is fierce and the sea is rough. Gaining confidence has been a huge part of my growth, and I’ve learned that staying calm in the face of strong winds is half the battle won.

Today, I’m not only a sailor but also an assistant coach at Vikings Sailing Club and a volunteer, doing basic boat repairs and helping out senior coaches. Coaching brings me great joy, as I get to interact with new sailors and share my love for the sport. It’s incredibly rewarding to guide them, knowing that I’m helping to shape the next generation of sailors. In the future, I’m excited to take part in more races and continue coaching, where I can pass on the joy of sailing to others.

 

To anyone new to sailing, my biggest piece of advice is simple: don’t give up. The sport can seem intimidating at first, especially when you’re out in challenging conditions. But once you push past the initial fear and uncertainty, you’ll find a new kind of confidence. You’ll realize that you’re stronger than you ever thought, and that’s when you truly become unstoppable

Welcome!