Water Lily takes honour on debut

Water Lily, a Sunquest 40 motor yacht, skippered by Joseph Scicluna, was the winner of the 5th Malta-Tunisia Yacht Rally. This twin engine boat, with a Colvic Craft super structure, was assembled and finished by Scicluna himself and launched in June of 1999.

Joseph Scicluna has been a boating enthusiast since 1992 having owned a number of fishing and speed boats. This year's Phoenician Experience marked a number of 'firsts' for him.

It was his first Malta-Tunisia rally, his first competitive event, his first visit to Tunisia with his personal boat, and, of course, his first win.

Normally, his wife Maryrose, his children Oliver and Sarah and their spouses are his crew when out at sea but this time everybody had pressing commitments so he organised an all-male team - another first.

Earlier this year Joseph and Maryrose spent a holiday at El Kantaoui and stayed in a hotel but "being a yachting enthusiast it is a completely different experience when travelling to a destination by boat and live on the marina", remarked the proud winning skipper.

All crew members of the flotilla expressed their satisfaction at the rally in general where the 300km Malta-Lampedusa-Tunisia course presented a pleasant and relaxing crossing mostly in calm waters and steady light winds while the courteous Tunisian hospitality was simply superb.

On arrival at El Kantaoui, the yachts were welcomed with drinks and a reception while all participants were hosted to a presentation of prizes dinner.

All competing boats were even extended free berthing facilities during their week's stay at El Kantaoui Marina, a haven described as "a very well-organized, clean, secure and a splendid atmosphere marina".

Second and third places overall went to 'Jolini' and 'San Michele', skippered by John Garside and Anthony Debono respectively.

Last year's winner, Herman Baldacchino, failed to make it a 'Wishbone' double but he still made the podium by winning the 'Best Kept Log'.

The BoV runners-up cups went to 'Meltemi I' and 'Maureen', skippered by Edward Scicluna and Paul Gatt respectively.

Malcolm Beetham, with 'Jannic 5', won the Hard Luck Prize.

"With 14 yachts we were a small fleet, yet it was an enjoyable 'Experience' appreciated by all crew and by a good number of their families who flew over to spend some relaxing time with the group," remarked Roland Darmanin Kissaun, chairperson of the organising committee.

"From our side this is a rally which gives us, the port authority and business community of El Kantaoui, an opportunity to welcome and host our yachting colleagues from Malta," commented Foued Daghfous, Directeur Génèral of Port El Kantaoui.

"We look forward to more similar events and even for individual visitors from our neighbouring 'Phoenician Island'."

Scicluna said: "After tasting this kind of successful experience I will definitely defend the title the next time around. I also encourage more skippers to join this enjoyable rally."

The Malta-Tunisia Yacht Rally was held under the patronage of the Ministers of Tourism of Malta and Tunisia. The main sponsors of the 2005 Rally were the Bank of Valletta and Tuninter with other support extended by the Tunisian National Tourism Office.

Complete list of Malta-Tunisia Rally winners

1998 - Mirador
Skipper: Donald Brincat

1999 - Zarina
Skipper: Winston V. Zahra

2000 - Fjuri
Skipper: Anthony Mangion

2003 - Wishbone
Skipper: Herman Baldacchino

2005 - Water Lily
Skipper: Joseph Scicluna.