Cospicua yesterday won the Open Shield in the Freedom Day regatta held in Grand Harbour.

Scenes of jubilation followed the presentation of the shield to the winners by Clyde Puli, the newly appointed parliamentary secretary for youth and sport, as supporters chanted "Viva Bormla".

Cospicua notched 76 points, followed by Senglea with 64, Marsa with 26 and Birżebbuġa with 18.

With 60 points, Vittoriosa won the Reserves Shield, associated with races for the younger rowers. Kalkara placed second with 52 points, followed by Marsa with 36 points and Cospicua and Senglea with 12 each.

Last year the Open Shield was won jointly by Cospicua and Marsa while the Reserves Shield had gone to Cospicua.

Speaking to The Times, National Festivities Committee acting chairman Nazju Abela said the regatta was facing new challenges, especially because of the more frequent use of the harbour by cruise liners and other ferries.

He pointed out that a vessel had to berth on the other side of the harbour yesterday not to disrupt the races.

Last year the situation was even trickier since Freedom Day fell on a Friday and there were four cruise liners berthed at Grand Harbour.

He pointed out, however, that the authorities have always done their utmost to ensure that the regatta was not disrupted, even helping in the shuttling of tourists if ships had to berth elsewhere.

The regatta is also held on Victory Day on September 8.