Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520732
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 MAY 2024 NEWS SB20 elite crews make debut in the Atlantic SIXTEEN of Malta's top SB20 Class sailors recently travelled to Portugal to participate in the SB20 Class Grand Slam Spring Cup. Considered to be a major event on the 2024 sailing calendar, the Cup brings together the cream of European sailing elite to com- pete in this regatta where all race on the single design SB20 keel boats. Racing took place in the bay of Cascais, located on the At- lantic coast of Portugal and was spread over two days. The fleet were engaged in three round the cans races per day. Although all Maltese sailors are seasoned sailors in their own right, racing in Atlantic waters and amongst so many SB20s was a first for most of them. Whilst the Maltese fleet chartered boats from Cascais, they made use of their own sails and other re- quired equipment which was shipped purposely from Malta. In view of their inexperience in such conditions, Maltese crews took advantage of the first races to get to grips with the condi- tions which consisted of winds coming from one direction, waves from another and a strong tidal current from yet another direction. These are conditions that one does not come across in the Maltese waters. As the races progressed how- ever the Maltese sailors worked their way up to mid fleet, with the two best performing Maltese boats skippered by Brian Flahive and Saul Vassallo. Class President Steve Carter stated that " All of the contin- gent are accomplished and ex- perienced sailors, hailing from all local sailing clubs namely Birzebbugia Sailing Club, Malta Young Sailors Club, the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Vikings Sailing Club. In view of the forthcoming SB20 European Championships, which will take place in Malta, this trip proved to be an invaluable training ex- perience for the Maltese sailors all of whom will be representing Malta in these Championships in October" Carter went on to thank Sport- Malta for providing financial support as well as the Malta Sailing Federation, under which auspices the European Champi- onships will be held. For more information on the SB20 European Championships, please visit - https://sb20europe- ans2024.com/ A new crowdfunding campaign has launched on Zaar to support avid cyclist Alan Azzopardi's ALIVE2024 Cycling Challenge for Cancer Research. Alan is gearing up to take on the annual cycling challenge with the ALIVE Charity Foundation, which will cover a staggering 1200km and 7000m of vertical elevation across Italy, France and Spain – all in the name of cancer research at the University of Mal- ta. Between 20-29 June, Alan and his teammates will kick-start their monumental journey in Milan, before heading through France and crossing the finish line in the beautiful city of Girona, Spain. To prepare, all cyclists on the team have attended compulso- ry group training in an intense training programme that began in February and will finish just be- fore the challenge in June. The challenge is the latest from the ALIVE Charity Foundation, a non-profit organisation commit- ted to funding cancer research projects and scholarships. Since 2013, ALIVE has raised €900,000 through volunteer donations, cor- porate contributions and charity events, driven by the dedication and hard work of the cyclists tak- ing part in each annual challenge, and helping to make significant strides in the fight against cancer. With a goal to raise €400 by the end of May via the Zaar crowd- funding campaign, Alan hopes that his feat of human endurance, combined with the generosity of the Maltese community, will also shed light on the importance of supporting cancer research. "I believe in the power of collec- tive action," he says. "This isn't just about the distance that we'll cover – it's about the lives we'll impact along the way. And this is where you come in! By donat- ing to ALIVE2024, you're not just backing a cycling challenge, you're standing in solidarity with those affected by cancer, offering hope, support and resources for vital research. Your generosity to- day could pave the way for break- throughs tomorrow. And just as every pedal stroke counts, every donation makes a tangible differ- ence as we push towards a bright- er, cancer-free future." Visit www.zaar.com.mt to sup- port cancer research with a do- nation to the Cycling 1200km for Cancer Research campaign. People and pedal power combine for cancer research Strong SB20 Class f leet compete in the Grand Slam Spring Cup in Cascais, Portugal Join the crowdfund on Zaar in aid of Alan Azzopardi's ALIVE2024 Cycling Challenge, and help support vital cancer research in Malta