Drama in race to Pozzallo

Organisers of the Malta-Sicily Windsurf Race - 20 Years After endured some anxious moments yesterday before one of the four participants, Gabor Vagi, was retrieved after having been lost at sea in bad weather.

The race which took off from Tignè Point yesterday morning was stopped due to lack of winds after four hours. Then leading windsurfer, Andrew Wilson, was declared the winner.

Apart from Wilson and Vagi, of the United States, Peter Bonello and Paul Ellul were also taking part.

The race fleet continued their trip to Sicily with all four windsurfers on board but with some five miles to reach Pozzallo Vagi decided to take the sea again.

It was here that his escort boat lost contact with him as heavy rains started to fall in very bad weather.

Italian coastguard police were immediately called to assist the race organisers. They managed to trace Vagi some two hours later.

Organisers said, Vagi was in fine conditions despite the ordeal at sea.

The race was originally scheduled to start on Friday but was eventually cancelled due to inclement weather.