PM visits powerboat races preparations
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning visited preparations for this weekend's races in the Malta Grand Prix of the Sea.
After yesterday's qualifiers in which SuperSport and Evolution were the fastest classes with Team 26 and OSG Racing, respectively, today's Sprint Race, off the Sliema coastline, starts at 5 p.m.
Ukrainian Spirit, of Maltese pilot Aaron Ciantar, are working around the clock to have the Chaudron ready in time.
The official list of entries for the second championship race of the season has 14 teams, seven each in each class.
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16 Comments
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Phil Pryce
Jun 13th 2010, 13:17
It's comical to hear people talking about noise. Malta is the noisiest place I have ever lived. Even sleepy Zebbug, where every driver passes my house with his hand on the horn so he doesn't have to slow down through the narrow streets. That's noise! I guess I'm just a 'petrol-head' at heart because I find the sound of a power boat far nicer than a car horn or people shouting at each other in a cafe.
j.camilleri
Jun 13th 2010, 11:34
Mela tajjeb, ghall world cup hadd ma' jista jiccelebra u l-genn tal-powerboats orrajt ghall l-islimizi. Basta boat u xenxilli !
Paul Borg
Jun 13th 2010, 11:21
Every power boat race I think of Gonzi's promises on the environment and laugh.The engines of all boats do not burn fuel to 100% efficiency,about 15% is expelled into the sea.Thats why theres always a 'zliega' on the water in harbours.Now imagine what these power boats are causing in air pollution and sea pollution?
Also,the effect of the turbines churning up the water goes all the way down to the seabed wrecking sealife.
Now before you are all jumping on me,I'm not saying cancel the races because of environment,I'm saying don't pretend to have environment at heart and then organise and praise these races.The hypocricy of this Government on environment is a huge charade.Can anyone tell us how does this race affect our Climate Change emissions?Basta we go posing to the EU that we were the first ones to raise the problem of Climate Change.
The reason that we should challenge this race is because of finances.This race costs us hundreds of thousands of tax money,but no effort made to quantify its effectiveness in attracting tourists.Im sure the sort who watch it are not the sort who would come to Malta,but who cares,its not their money!
Dennis Gatt
Jun 13th 2010, 10:14
Well done to the organiser, if it was not for the initiative of people like this no events would happen, but yet again
we have to complain.
What about the noise of manuel island world cup village, is this attracting any tourism to our country!!!
Franco Farrugia
Jun 12th 2010, 17:24
In my view, the PM is wrong to visit and he is sending the wrong message - powerboats are a source of waste of an important world resource which is finite; they cause unnecessary noise pollution; they also cause sea-pollution and are a danger to those who practice it.
R. Azzopardi
Jun 12th 2010, 17:57
I see your point but cannot agree. I can say exactly the same things about football (a sport that I loathe). It is a waste of finite resources (land), creates loads and loads of noise pollution and is a danger to those who practice it (the countless injuries).
Franco Farrugia
Jun 12th 2010, 19:27
Comparing powerboats with football is hardly fair. Playing football is salutary - it is a sport, and it is a means for the human being to employ him/herself to hard training! Where is the physical training involved in powerboats? Hence, there is no waste of finite resources involved; no noise pollution is wasted, as you suggest, and surely, you cannot equate injuries in football with the dangers of powerboating. So, ... hehe, ... nice try!
E Vella
Jun 12th 2010, 19:31
can we get a life guys!!
the Pope visiting Africa can also be dangerous for his life? Anyone going abroad for a holiday can also be dangerous for his life because the plane can crash?
shall we then no go for skiing? or diving? or car racing? or boxing? because they can all cause injuries or accidents.
Or else we can just stay in a closed bulb. That will surely be safe for everyone.
with regards to sea pollution... i think there are worse things than this for sea pollution. ask Obama and he will certainly tell you soemthing about it.
noise pollution... shall we close the international airport? because the Luqa residents hear aeroplanes landing or taking off every 5 minutes.
Alan Micallef
Jun 13th 2010, 10:11
It's nice and salutary for the players, what about the construction of stadiums and the commuting of the supporters not to mention the millions the players earn just to play a game and the ultras fighting for that salutary sport. When it comes to malta, i think too much importance is given to football nd yes it could be a waste of limited land. however, everyone has his own interests and you have taccept other people's tastes. It doesn't have to be salutary to be attractive. If you look at it from that point of view i think one should stop all events wether it's motor racing or "salutary sport"
d borg
Jun 13th 2010, 11:49
waste of resources.. thats nice..
shall be count the acres of land that has been and still is being wasted on football grounds?? shall we count the number of trophies that have been brought to the island by football teams when compared to successes of motorsports enthusiats??
Franco Farrugia
Jun 13th 2010, 17:44
@d borg. When you consider the enormous number of young people taking part in football, and enjoying each other's company while practicing a sport, you will arrive at the conclusion, if you were that little bit more reasonable and intelligent, that it makes sense to have, and increase, the sports infrastructre we already have. It is not a waste. On the contrary, it is beneficial. The results of games and tournaments are not all that important when you consider the physical benefits. Also consider the exceptionally high number of young and not-so-young people taking part in this sports activity to motorsports!
And as regards other points that were raised regarding noise pollution: right, so we have noise pollution in Malta, so why not add to it?! Huh! Now, that's being intelligent, I don't think.
L. Calleja
Jun 12th 2010, 15:53
A very good choice for the location of Sliema coastline. Well done to the organisers for holding this major event at Sliema. I always attend these power boat races and as for me this year it is very well organised, and great location for Maltese and tourists. I hope that this event will continue to be held in Sliema.
C.Busuttil
Jun 12th 2010, 17:57
First you have to ask permission from the Sliema Residents Association for the event to continue to be held in Sliema, because of the noise that these powerboats make.
clinton magro
Jun 12th 2010, 19:50
nice one C.Busuttil
Paul Borg
Jun 13th 2010, 11:02
What does the power boat race do for Sliema other than bring in more air pollution from the boats as well as from all the traffic. One year I went I had to turn back because of the jams and no parking. I pity the Sliema residents who have such high air pollution all the year round and even more now.
d borg
Jun 13th 2010, 11:47
well.. most of the sliema residents bar and restaurant owners will surely not agree with you..i have been there these past two days.. they have simply enjoyed fully booked bars and restaurants!!