Freedom Day Regatta called off due to strong winds
Annual rowing race suspended halfway through as teams struggle to row to starting line
The annual Freedom Day Regatta was cancelled on Tuesday as strong winds disrupted the iconic Grand Harbour rowing race.
Organisers had moved the event’s starting time forward to 10am in the hope of avoid the brunt of rough weather, and several races were completed before strong winds rising up to Force 6 made it impossible to continue the event.
Teams were seen struggling to row their boats to the race starting line.
The regatta will now be rescheduled for Sunday, April 12.
The annual regatta sees teams from various localities bordering the Grand Harbour compete in rowing races across the Grand Harbour involving traditional Maltese boats.
Teams compete in 10 separate races, earning points for each top-three finish. The locality with the combined highest total number of points at the end of the event is crowned that regatta’s champion.
Vittoriosa are the current holders of the Freedom Day Regatta, having won the event for the fifth time in 2025.
Before strong winds forced the regatta’s suspension on Tuesday, several races from both the Open Category and the B Category were completed.