Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/523863
Events 47 maltatoday, Sunday, 7 June 2015 Motorcycling enthusiasts and con- sumers around Europe are being given the opportunity to let their voices be heard and help shape the future of Project LiveWire, the first electric Harley-Davidson mo- torcycle. Project LiveWire's first stop in Europe was the UK. In keeping with the company's customer-led product development approach, consumers from across the UK enjoyed an exclusive experience to not only ride but also give their valuable feedback on the electric motorcycle. While not for sale, Project LiveWire is designed to get insight into what riders ex- pect from an electric motorcycle that is also an authentic Harley- Davidson. Passionate riders came together to test ride the electric motorcycle, and those who didn't get a chance to ride had the opportunity to test Project LiveWire with a Jumpstart demo – a simulated riding experi- ence. Throughout the Event in Bed- fordshire, more than 230 custom- ers rode Project LiveWire, while an additional 50 customers en- joyed a Jumpstart demo. "It's a very surprising motorcycle to be honest, it's the first electric motorcycle that I've tried and the most surprising thing for me was the power delivery - a lot more linear and smooth than I was ex- pecting, having ridden quite a few different motorcycles. If this is the future of the electric motorcycle then I'm all for it!" said Phil Whit- more, who rode Project LiveWire. "It was just completely different to what I was expecting. I had a massive, massive grin on my face all the way around, it was just un- believable to think all that power was coming from a couple of bat- teries strapped underneath. I was expecting Harleys to be these big cumbersome, slow things. And this just completely blew my socks off," said Danny, a competitor rid- er from Northamptonshire. The Project LiveWire Experience Tour will now travel to France visiting the Michelin Technology Centre in Cébazat from the 27-28 June, 2015. Fapi Motors Ltd. is the official authorised dealer for Harley- Davidson in Malta. To learn more about the Harley-Davidson Project Livewire, visit www.pro- jectlivewire.com or call on 2339 3102. Patrick Carey was all smiles last Sunday, when it was announced that he was the overall winner of this year's edition of the Homes of Quality Golf Tournament. This was the fifth edition of this popu- lar event, which took place at the Royal Malta Golf Club last week- end, between the 14 and 17 May. With a total of 111 participants, the tournament included a men's stableford competition and a sepa- rate ladies' stableford competition. The top 72 scores from both com- petitions then qualified for the final round that took place on the 17 April. All competitors fought it out for the top prize consisting of a trip for two to Tuscany, including entry to a top Tuscan golf course whilst there, with complements of Homes of Quality, members of the Frank Salt Real Estate Group. The competition was fiercely contested with twenty players within five points of the win- ner, but it was Patrick Carey who grabbed the top honour, scoring 71 points in aggregate over the two days (38 and 33) winning on a countback from Thomas Jacob- sen (39 plus 32). The best lady was Maureen Borg with 69 points (34 plus 35). The best junior was 11 year old Laurens Schulze Doering with 69 (35 plus 34). The prizes were presented dur- ing a lunch get together sponsored by Homes of Quality. Frank Salt himself (above left) made the pres- entation and expressed his pleas- ure at seeing the ever increasing interest in this tournament and golf sport. Officials from HSBC Bank Malta's Capital Financing Depart- ment explaining their financing solutions to an attendee (right) of the eighth Finance Malta Conference. HSBC Malta was one of the sponsors of the annual confer- ence, which was held over two days under the theme of 'Malta's Financial Services Industry: Building on Success, Reaching New Horizons'. The Capital Fi- nancing Department within HSBC Bank Malta provides a full range of services to local corporates look- ing to diversity their sources of funds. It leverages HSBC group's connectivity across the globe to provide vital exper- tise through highly experienced teams. If we look at an old family photo album of the 70s, even the 80s, we see that most, if not all, of our friends and relatives were fit. But if we look at today's digital family albums we will note that the same people have put on weight and that even their children have the tendency to be overweight. Obesity is a serious modern en- emy and the only way to fight it is through energy balance, says an expert in the field, suggest- ing ways to deal with it that are based on the results of numerous studies. One thing that has undoubtedly changed is our environment and by environment we mean, among other things, the way we com- mute, the way we go shopping (i.e. by car instead of walking) or do the housework, the way we have fun, our physical activ- ity, the long hours we spend in front of a screen, our exposure to tempting food products etc. These are just some of the changes made to our environ- ment that are "obesity-gener- ators" as aptly noted by world renowned researcher and Profes- sor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado, Dr James Hill. It is only natural, therefore, that if we live in an obesity generating en- vironment we will become obese. The question however is if and how we can avoid obesity - and the health problems associated with it. According to Hill, "it is impera- tive to fight obesity in terms of energy balance as it is important to understand the energy bal- ance concept in order to develop effective strategies for reducing obesity." Energy balance occurs when the calories consumed equal the cal- ories burned. If the calorie intake is higher than the calorie loss we must either reduce the amount of the food we consume or increase our physical activity, or both. There is "high" energy balance (i.e. we consume and burn 2,300 calories) and "low" energy bal- ance (i.e. we consume and burn 1,200 calories). However, given the environment in which we live in and the fact that it is hard to stop eating fattening foods, Hill suggests that it is better to main- tain a high-energy balance than a low. Our organism can more easily "achieve" a higher energy balance (i.e. with 2.300 vs. 1.200 calories). How can we maintain a high- energy balance? Definitely by increasing physical activity. This way we also have more freedom to satisfy our taste. It is there- fore suggested that we put more motion in our everyday lives by being more physically active at home, at work, everywhere. Regular physical activity (i.e. running, swimming, cycling, football, basketball, aerobic, Pi- lates, dance, yoga, etc.) at least three times a week can be a great ally in our efforts to maintain a high-energy balance. One can of course choose his or her own way to increase physical activity. What makes it hard to maintain the healthy body weight? Record 111 participants compete in Homes of Quality Golf Tournament 2015 HSBC sponsors successful eighth Finance Malta conference Project Livewire Experience Tour arrives in Europe - first stop UK Four key strategies to reduce obesity The advice of Dr Hill for reducing obesity is based on results of many surveys and goes as follows: • Emphasize on preventing weight gain and make small lifestyle changes (both in diet and in exercise). Avoid big or unrealistic changes. • Adjust the energy balance by increasing physical activity. • Promote a 'smart' and not depriving diet. This could include the use of low calorie sweeteners instead of caloric, or eating smaller portions. • Train in cognitive skills that can contribute to achieving energy balance. Through these strategies achieving the much-needed energy balance becomes easier and more accessible to everyone. The electric Project LiveWire