The Maltese National Regatta is a fixed-seat

rowing Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically a ...

regatta held bi-annually on 31 March Freedom Day to commemorate the withdrawal of the British troops and the Royal Navy from Malta and on 8 September

Victory Day Victory Day is a commonly used name for public holidays in various countries, where it commemorates a nation's triumph over a hostile force in a war or the liberation of a country from hostile occupation. In many cases, multiple countries may ob ...

respectively. The Regatta pitches 8 participants against each other over 11 Malta Traditional Regatta Races of 1,040 meters each spanning two categories and the women race. The Regatta is held in the

Grand Harbour The Grand Harbour (; ), also known as the Port of Marsa, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been substantially modified over the years with extensive docks ( Malta Dockyard), wharves, and fortifications. Description The h ...

and being a national event, it draws thousands of spectators year after year.

Format of competition

Rowers from the eight different clubs compete in two categories. The 'Open' Category is dedicated to the more professional rowers whereas Category 'B' is intended for the more amateur rowers. Each category comprises five races and the club which obtains the highest number of points from the five races wins the respective category. Each race features a different rowing boat and points are awarded to the first three placings. The number of points tends to vary from one race to another, with the largest number of points assigned to the last race, thus ensuring that the competition remains interesting to the very end. On 8 September 2018 under the presidency of the then newly elected president Mr. Stephen Paris the women's race took place again after 40 years. For these races there is also a shield that is won by the winners and kept for a year.

Participants and number of wins

Victory Day wins * Senglea Regatta Club 24 wins * Bormla Regatta Club 22 wins * Marsa Regatta Club 14 wins * Kalkara Regatta Club 7 wins * Birgu Regatta Club 2 wins * Marsamxett Regatta Club 2 wins * Birzebbuga Regatta Club 0 wins * Siggiewi Rowing Club 0 wins Victory Day Category B wins * Bormla Regatta Club 18 wins * Senglea Regatta Club 5 wins * Marsa Regatta Club 5 wins * Marsamxett Regatta Club 3 wins * Birgu Regatta Club 2 wins * Birzebbuga Regatta Club 2 wins * Kalkara Regatta Club 1 win * Siggiewi Rowing Club 0 wins Freedom Day Wins * Bormla Regatta Club 11 wins * Senglea Regatta Club 11 wins * Marsa Regatta Club 11 wins * Birgu Regatta Club 5 wins * Marsamxett Regatta Club 3 wins * Birzebbuga Regatta Club 2 wins * Kalkara Regatta Club 0 wins * Siggiewi Rowing Club 0 wins Freedom Day Category B Wins * Bormla Regatta Club 13 wins * Senglea Regatta Club 7 wins * Marsamxett Regatta Club 5 wins * Birgu Regatta Club 4 wins * Kalkara Regatta Club 3 wins * Birzebbuga Regatta Club 2 win * Marsa Regatta Club 1 win * Siggiewi Rowing Club 0 wins Women's Victory Day Wins * Birgu Regatta Club 5 wins * Bormla Regatta Club 1 win * Kalkara Regatta Club 1 win * Birzebbuga Regatta Club 0 wins * Senglea Regatta Club 0 wins * Marsa Regatta Club 0 wins * Marsamxett Regatta Club 0 wins * Siggiewi Rowing Club 0 wins Women's Freedom Day Wins * Birgu Regatta Club 3 wins * Birzebbuga Regatta Club 1 win * Bormla Regatta Club 0 wins * Kalkara Regatta Club 0 wins * Senglea Regatta Club 0 wins * Marsa Regatta Club 0 wins * Marsamxett Regatta Club 0 wins * Siggiewi Rowing Club 0 wins

References

External links

* {{Commons category inline, Regatta (Malta)
Malta Rowing Association
* https://www.whatson.com.mt/en/home/events/16993/31st-march-regatta.htm * https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2019-07-03/sports-others/Annual-Regatta-Youths-to-be-held-on-6-July-in-Rinella-Bay-Kalkara-6736210385 * https://www.facebook.com/maltaregatta/ Rowing competitions in Malta