Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/567863
maltatoday, Wednesday, 9 september 2015 20 Sport SPORTTODAY regatta Marsa win Victory Day regatta Martina Borg After a day of races, with dif- ferent localities taking the lead at different points throughout the competition, Marsa were finally crowned the 2015 Vic- tory Day regatta champions and awarded the Shield. the rivalry was hot but friend- ly, rather than the usually rau- cous, throughout the long day of races, and in a true show of sportsmanship, the teams peace- fully congratulated each other for their performances after the victors were announced. Marsa secured two victories in the B category and another three races in the open to win their second consecutive victory. Vittoriosa placed second and Senglea third in the B category while Senglea placed second and Cospicua third in the open. the pier in Valletta hosted scenes of merriment as a brass band started to play to the cel- ebrations of all those present, as the last boat rowed to the pier, with those on board receiving a hero's welcome. Some of the members of the team spoke to Maltatoday im- mediately following the award ceremony and expressed their delight at winning the prize. "All the hard work and effort has paid off," they said, thank- ing all those who had shown them support throughout their training. Asked what the re- gatta meant to them, they said that they prepared for the event all year long and that their love for it had been a result of family tradition. "today's victory marks the twelfth time that Marsa won the competition," they added, row- ing off for more celebrations. 8 September regatta: So much more than a competition Calm seas and blue skies pro- vided the perfect backdrop for this year's regatta. People swarmed to the various vantage points in spite of the sweltering heat and cheered their teams on whenever they rowed past. the yearly event is characterized by celebrations, not to mention ri- valry between team members and supporters from different localities. the festive atmosphere at- tracts great numbers of locals and tourists alike, who enjoy ex- periencing the culture and tra- ditions of the Maltese islands. Maltatoday spoke both to locals and tourists ahead of the big competition. One of the tourists who spoke to Maltatoday, said that he ha- bitually visited the area both for the regatta and for the fes- tivities that accompany the local Marija Bambina feast, on Sep- tember 8th. Another foreigner, who now lives in Malta said that the first time he had visited the island, he had not been aware of the im- portance of the event. "this time around, having seen the teams practise a lot, I looked forward to the competi- tion itself, and I'm siding with Senglea," he laughed. the cashier of the Senglea club, Clive Puli said that he had been an avid follower of the event ever since he was a child, and that the race had become part of his life. "We also have a lot of young people rowing for us this year," Puli said. Senglea resident Josephine Lia said that although she hadn't been born and raised in Seng- lea, she had grown accustomed to and increasingly fond of the event. "I make it a point to come and watch every year, and I always side with Senglea," she added. Many of the supporters present said that they had followed the regatta ever since they were children, and they also expressed hope in the younger members of the rowing team. Darryl ebejer said that the re- gatta was part of a yearly tradi- tion and that it represented unity and an opportunity to meet with family and old friends, particu- larly for people who had moved from the locality, like himself. A group of young boys from Senglea also enthusiastically told us that they had followed the race for as long as they could remember. the day had always been special for them to enjoy time in each other's company and perhaps even for a swim while supporting their locality. Cospicua edge ahead of Marsa and Senglea in a tight race in yesterday's regatta Marsa oarsmen, officials and supporters celebrate their regatta victory Two Vittoriosa oarsmen huffing and puffing towards the finish line PHOTOGRAPHY BY Ray attaRd