Federation distributes awards after busy year

2010 proved to be another eventful year for local kayaking as evidenced in the Malta Canoe Federation awards night held recently in Sliema.

All three categories, touring, racing and canoe polo, saw significant improvements which augur well for the future of the sport in Malta.

In touring, the top honours went to Albert Gambina and Dorian Vassallo for their unprecedented achievement in paddling from Mahdia, in Tunisia, to Golden Bay, north of the island.

That feat was preceded by a series of endurance events including a marathon paddle in Marsamxett as a fund-raiser for the Hospice Movement and a “practice” 24-hour challenge from Malta to Lampedusa.

Chris Camilleri was once again the top male racing canoeist, having established new national records in the 1km and 500m flatwater events and also achieving a prestigious 45th place at the Dubai Shamaal surfski which attracts top racers from all over the world.

This year, no fewer than 160 paddlers, from 26 different nations, took part in the Dubai race.

Nicola Borg Costanzi won the title as best female racing canoeist for 2010 following the gold medals she won at the Sicilian regional championships besides placing fourth in the Italian Championships in the 1km event and also placing first at the Friendship Games last month.

In the section for juniors, Matthew Schembri was undoubtedly the best performer for 2010 after setting new benchmarks in the 200m, 500m and 1km and winning silver medals at the Sicilian regional championships.

Gerald DeGaetano was the undisputed Master. This year, he won a silver medal at the Sicilian regional championships and, together with Matthew Schembri and Simon Gauci, formed part of the national team in the Friendship Games.

The most improved canoeists of the year were Simon Gauci (racing), Petra Zammit (canoe polo) and Robert Mercieca (touring).