The Maltese National Regatta is a fixed-seat rowing 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 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 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 3 wins Marsamxett Regatta Club 2 wins Birżebbuġa Regatta Club 0 wins Siġġiewi Rowing Club 0 wins
Victory Day Category B wins
Bormla Regatta Club 17 wins Senglea Regatta Club 6 wins Marsa Regatta Club 5 wins Marsamxett Regatta Club 3 wins Birgu Regatta Club 2 wins Birżebbuġa Regatta Club 2 wins Kalkara Regatta Club 1 win Siġġiewi Rowing Club 0 wins
Freedom Day Wins
Bormla Regatta Club 14 wins Senglea Regatta Club 12 wins Marsa Regatta Club 11 wins Birgu Regatta Club 6 wins Marsamxett Regatta Club 4 wins Birżebbuġa Regatta Club 2 wins Kalkara Regatta Club 0 wins Siġġiewi Rowing Club 0 wins
Freedom Day Category B Wins
Bormla Regatta Club 13 wins Senglea Regatta Club 7 wins Marsamxett Regatta Club 6 wins Birgu Regatta Club 4 wins Kalkara Regatta Club 3 wins Birżebbuġa Regatta Club 2 win Marsa Regatta Club 1 win Siġġiewi Rowing Club 0 wins
Women's Victory Day Wins
Birgu Regatta Club 5 wins Senglea Regatta Club 1 wins Bormla Regatta Club 1 win Kalkara Regatta Club 1 win Birżebbuġa Regatta Club 0 wins Marsa Regatta Club 0 wins Marsamxett Regatta Club 0 wins Siġġiewi Rowing Club 0 wins
Women's Freedom Day Wins
Birgu Regatta Club 3 wins Marsamxett Regatta Club 1 win Birżebbuġa Regatta Club 1 win Bormla Regatta Club 1 wins Kalkara Regatta Club 0 wins Senglea Regatta Club 0 wins Marsa Regatta Club 0 wins Siġġiewi Rowing Club 0 wins
References
External links
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/