Records established at Manoel Island races

Unfavourable weather conditions did not deter Malta Canoe Federation members from competing at the annual Manoel Island races held last weekend. In its 17th year, the series is still popular and continues to attract kayakers of all levels.

Races were split into three categories - Elite, Sea Kayaks and Doubles Kayaks.

The first event was the 10km race. With 17 kayaks lined up, there was no doubt that it would be a rush for the lead to avoid the bottleneck at the bridge.

The Elite race saw Christopher Camilleri recording a time of 14 minutes and 55 seconds in the first lap with Gerald Degaetano only a few seconds behind.

Junior canoeist Matthew Schembri was not far behind. His timing at the end of the first lap was 16:18.

Camilleri retained his lead in the final lap to defend the title he won last year. He went on to establish a record time of 45:45 for the distance. Degaetano offered a stiff challenge, coming home 13 seconds behind.

Schembri also had a remarkable race and improved his personal best at Manoel Island by almost eight minutes. He was third in 49:31.

The women's Elite race saw Nicola Borg Costanzi covering the first lap at 18 minutes.

She eventually made it home in 54:52, smashing all other best times in her category as well as reaching the finish well ahead of most of the male competitors on the day.

In Sea Kayak, newcomer Albert Gambina overtook Robert Pullicino to place first in 58:34. Pullicino completed the race in 58:50 and Joe Borg followed in 59:41.

The second event of the day was a 3km doubles race with eight paddlers competing in pairs, namely, Camilleri and Schembri, Peter Borg Costanzi and Nicholas Valenzia, Craig Wightman and Joe Borg and Alex Rizzo and Danica Mallia.

Camilleri and Schembri immediately took the lead and maintained their position, crossing the finishing line first in 15:58.

Second place went to Borg Costanzi and Valenzia and Wightman and Borg had to settle for third in a Canadian canoe.

The 3km fun race was won by Nicola Borg Costanzi ahead of Luca Pace and rookie Chris Borg Costanzi.

The series came to a close with a 200m sprint. Camilleri placed first again in 43.86 seconds followed by Degaetano, 49.70, and Schembri, 50.56.