Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1262267
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JUNE 2020 COMMERCIAL WATER polo days are back and after months of complete stand- still due to the COVID-19 pan- demic, the boys are finally back in the water, training hard for the upcoming summer league. COVID-19 has caused sig- nificant disruption within the sporting world. In fact, every aspect of sports has been af- fected by this pandemic. From a local water polo perspective, the season has been brought to a complete halt with the postponement of the Enemed Cup and the subsequent can- cellation of this year's Winter League. Nonetheless, the big- gest challenge brought about by the outbreak remains a fi- nancial one. Frank Salt Real Estate has once again renewed its com- mitment to support Sliema ASC throughout this season. "This year was not an easy one for anyone but we still stuck by the club and carried on with our sponsorship," director Gra- hame Salt said. "We strongly believe that sports activity is an extremely important element of any society and we are real- ly happy to see our lives regain normality and be able to do what we love best." "FSRE have been the club's main sponsors for a number of years now and on behalf of the Sliema ASC communi- ty, I would like to express our gratitude for their continuous support. From our side we will continue to do our utmost as to ensure that our collaboration remains mutually beneficial for both parties", Sliema ASC president Kevin Saliba said. Following a period of uncer- tainty, it has now been con- firmed that the local water polo season will resume on 15 July with the continuation of the Enemed Cup in which Sliema ASC is very well posi- tioned to make the semi-final stage. A few days after its com- pletion, the national summer championship will commence. Following last year's runner up placing, the club's objective is that of going one better this year. They have invested heav- ily in the squad over the winter months and completed two key signings - experienced cen- tre John Brownrigg and Mal- ta's national team goalkeeper Nicholas Grixti. Frank Salt Real Estate and Sliema ASC both have some- things in common – passion, drive, excellence, commitment and dedication to be at the top. Sliema ASC aspire to win the top honours this year and Frank Salt Real Estate remains the benchmark to follow with- in the local real estate industry, with a range of comprehensive services aimed at meeting the growing demands of the is- land's real estate market. Both Sliema ASC and Frank Salt Real Estate have a profes- sional mentality and a winning team spirit which helps them to lead in their respective fields. Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate Water Polo back in action DESPITE the continuing seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are signs of the situation easing around the world. With cautious optimism, the Royal Mal- ta Yacht Club (RMYC) has issued a No- tice of Race for the 41st Rolex Middle Sea Race, now available online at https:// www.rolexmiddlesearace.com/race/doc- uments. Over the past few weeks, the RMYC has carefully monitored developments globally and, in particular, the advice and guidance from the World Health Organ- isation and the Maltese government con- cerning participation sports like yacht racing. The club's intention to run the 2020 race remains subject to changes in circum- stances both locally and internationally, and the evolution of guidelines between June and October. The current plan is to review the state of play in August, and the RMYC has reserved the right to amend the Notice of Race up until 31 August. In the meantime, there has been a steady stream of yachts indicating their interest in participating. Some 29 entries have been received to date, with yachts representing Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Romania, Russian Fed- eration, Spain and the USA. Among the names are some regular sup- porters of the 606nm race, such as Beppe Bisotto's Fast 42 Atame, Leonardo Petti's J-109 Chestress and Laurent Camprubi's JPK10.30 Jeanne. Stefan Jentzsch has en- tered his latest Black Pearl, the Botin 56 in build at King Marine in Spain and due to be launched this year. There are two names, though, that are certain to provoke huge interest come October if the race is able to go ahead as planned. Peter Harburg's 30.5m (100-foot) Re- ichel/Pugh Maxi, Black Jack has cam- paigned in Australia in recent years. While this will be the Black Jack team's first participation in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the yacht itself has completed the course previously as Alfa Romeo II and Esimit Europa 2, claiming line honours on five occasions. Arguably more famous by virtue of her record is VPLP-designed Comanche. Since being launched in 2014, the 30.5 m (100-foot) Maxi has established a num- ber of monohull yachting benchmarks times including the Transatlantic West to East (Ambrose Light to Lizard Point), the Newport Bermuda Race and, most recently, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. She also holds the 24-hour distance prize. The Rolex Middle Sea Race will be one her first under a new ownership team. There is a long way to go before the can- nons of the saluting battery can signal the start of the 2020 Rolex Middle Sea Race and the RMYC's optimism is tempered by a dose of realism. Paramount in its think- ing is the continuing health of its mem- bership and the wider sailing community. But as things stand now, the 41st edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is scheduled to start on Saturday, 17 October. 2020 Rolex Middle Sea Race notice of race available