Darren Mascena is this year’s winner of the Malta Indoor Rowing Championships Men’s Open with a championship record time of 6’28.9” while Anna Bailey has set a new ladies’ national record when she won the Ladies Open in a time of 7’34.9”.

The 2006 Malta Indoor Rowing Championships was held last Saturday in Bay Street where the shoppers got more than their wares as they watched rowers aged between 8 and 60 years of age compete in this year’s Indoor Rowing Championship organized by Lakes Rowing Club based at Marsa Sports Club.

With the added attraction of some high profile indoor rowers participating in this years Malta Indoor Rowing Championships this edition promised to be the best event yet. Last year the men’s open over the Olympic distance of 2000 meters was won by Jens Aszmus a German national, so the expectation and enthusiasm was great when a local Maltese lifted the trophy this year.

Other sections in this year’s Indoor Rowing Championship included the juniors which had Rebecca Hayes wining the Girls’ under 12 and Mark Puglesevich wining the Boys’.

The Boys under 14 was won convincingly by Chris Bergedahl with James Dimech coming in second. Martin Sadleder won the men’s over 40.

Rowers came from a wide variety of sports including regatta rowers, rugby, football, squash, cycling, tennis and tri-athletes. A number of well-known personalities also participated by rowing or performing.

The guests included Minister Jesmond Mugliette, Robert Arrigo M.P, Aldo Busuttil, Thea Saliba and J Anvil. The activity was held in conjunction with the Muscular Dystrophy association and all funds collected at Bay Street are in aid of this worthy cause.