All eyes at the Grand Harbour will be on defending champions Marsa this afternoon as they bid to retain the coveted Victory Day Regatta Shield for the fourth year in a row.
The Red Blues, title winners on 12 occasions, are again ranked top favourites but they are unlikely to have it all their own way as the Cospicua rowers will be keen to build on their Freedom Day Regatta triumph and end Marsa’s dominance in the more important September 8 races.
Last March, the blue-clad Cospicua outfit produced a great comeback to win the crucial Kajjiki and Dgħajjes tal-Pass races, going on to top the final standings.
While Marsa and Cospicua are being touted as the leading challengers for the Shield, sleeping giants Senglea, who lead the all-time Shield winners’ list with 23 triumphs, and relative newcomers Birżebbuġa could turn out to be the dark horses as both clubs are set to parade some of their talented young rowers today.
The Għaqda Regatta Nazzjonali, headed by president Joseph Grima, continued to promote the sport in recent years as they strive to increase the profile of rowing on our islands.
“Since obtaining full responsibility for the organisation of the Freedom Day and Victory Day races we sought to ensure that both events are run efficiently without long delays,” Grima told Times of Malta.
“We feel that the changes effected have given us good results and there was an increase in attendances. However, we have to push harder for a more professional approach and our races to gain popularity.
“I feel that, this year, we are in for a very tight competition on the water as the level of our rowers has grown steadily and fast.”
Grima also lauded the authorities for being very supportive and giving his association the necessary assistance.
“SportMalta have been of great help to us in the last two years,” he said.
“Their initiatives and assistance will make our clubs more financially stable. We hope to maintain this partnership in the future for the good of our sport.”
Today’s first race, from the B Category for youths, gets underway at 1pm.
Last 10 shield winners
2006 Marsamxett; 2007 Marsamxett; 2008 Senglea; 2009 Senglea; 2010 Senglea; 2011 Senglea; 2012 Senglea; 2013 Cospicua/Marsa; 2014 Marsa; 2015 Marsa.
Overall champions
1. Senglea 23 times; 2. Cospicua 17; 3. Marsa 12; 4. Kalkara 7; 5. Marsamxett 2; 6. Vittoriosa 1.