The Ministry for Education, Youth, Sport and Innovation has installed a Regatta Organising Committee to improve the organisational set-up of both the Freedom Day’s Regatta and the Victory Day Regatta.
Sources have told the Times of Malta that the decision was taken following last September’s Victory Day Regatta, which was marred by long delays and several organisational problems, with the final race being held in complete darkness, much to the frustration of sports lovers.
September’s Victory Day started an hour later than scheduled due to issues with the Finish Gun, and the Starting Line was not positioned in the right place.
The regatta faced other problems as communication between the judge and the race participants was disrupted due to an issue with the megaphone, while boats were taking a very long time to arrive at the starting line.
This newly-appointed Organising Committee has already started its work and has lined up several changes to ensure next March’s Freedom Day Regatta is held in a more organised manner.
The Għaqda Regatta Nazzjonali, which usually takes responsibility for the organisation of the regatta events held during the year, is working hand in hand with this newly-appointed committee.
The newly-appointed committee is looking to publish a Notice of Race for all the major regattas. This will provide all participating clubs with clear guidelines on how the race will be organised and the set of regulations that will be followed.
Every race of the regatta will have a starting time, and the participants must make their way to the starting line on time.
Should they fail to arrive on the starting line in time, the race will still get underway.
Sources have also told the Times of Malta that the Freedom Day Regatta and the Victory Day Regatta will have a set finishing time of 5pm that cannot be surpassed.
If, for instance, by 5pm, only eight of the ten races planned are held, the Shield will be decided on those races.
If a club that is leading a particular category of the regatta tries to obstruct racing to ensure no more races are held and it can hold to its top position, the club will be immediately disqualified.
The regatta organisers are planning to set a 25-minute interval between one race and another.
One of the biggest novelties that is being introduced this year is the use of a tracker system, similar to what is used in sailing.
A tracking application will be provided to each club and the judging panel who will be able to watch the movement of all boats throughout every race.
The tracking system will provide a better view for the club officials and judges of the path taken by every participant, and if two boats collide during the race, penalties will be issued without the need for clubs to lodge protests and cause further delay.
The Regatta Organising Committee has also asked the clubs to nominate a rower who will represent all participating rowers during the organising committee meetings and can provide insight on any new proposals for the race, and what can be improved.
Romario Brignone has been selected by all the clubs and is currently serving in this position.
The Regatta Organising Committee is planning to try out all these novelties during a Mock Regatta, made up of four races, which will be held at the Valletta Grand Harbour on March 15.
The Regatta Organising Committee is also planning to introduce two new events before September’s Victory Day Regatta.
On the eve of the event, the organisers are planning to organise a special night during which every club presents its team of rowers that will represent them the following day.
Added to that, there are plans to host a Generation Cup which be held on Tal-Pass B’Erbgħa Mqadef format, with each team fielding three U-18 rowers and a ‘legendary’ experienced rower.
The main reason behind this event is to try is to give the young rowers a feel of what it is like to compete in such major races and inspire them to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
