Four teams fell victim to strong winds during the 2023 Victory Day Regatta as their boats sank during the Dgħajjes Tal-Medalji race.

The 2023 Victory Day Regatta was held at the Valletta Grand Harbour as is tradition on Friday, despite strong winds causing tricky conditions for the competing crews.

Disaster struck during the opening race from the top class, Category A, as four separate teams ended the event without a boat.

The race turned out to be a thrilling duel between Cospicua and Vittoriosa. Cospicua managed to cross the finish line first ahead of their Cottonera rivals.

However, after completing the distance, both the Cospicua and Vittoriosa boats sunk in the waters, with their crew being rescued from the water.

Marsamxett managed to place third in the race but the same cannot be said of Marsa and Senglea.

In fact, both the Marsa and the Senglea boats sank midway through the distance with both crews being rescued by the safety officials of the race.

Teams compete in the Victory Day Regatta at the Grand Harbour. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

No one was injured and all crews eventually made it safely to shore. 

Peter Cassar, President of Għaqda Regatta Nazzjonali, said that organisers had been analysing the weather forecast throughout the week to see if it could be held. 

"This morning it looked like we could hold the Regatta and the clubs met and decided to stage the race," he said. 

"We had to see the Grand Harbour schedule to find a slot to stage the Regatta. Clubs had other commitments in the coming weeks so they would not have participated. So we went for it and luckily we managed to finish the Regatta."

He said the earliest day it could be postponed to was September 29 and on that day it was a possibility that the weather could be even worse.