Seven kayaks and nine peddlers will be the centre of attraction on the daring 50-nautical miles Challenge making up the Malta-Sicily Kayak Challenge set for Friday 27th June. Yet the real motive of all concerned will be the success of the fund raising campaign being held in association with this Event in aid of the Malta Cancer Foundation.

In fact the slogan chosen for the Event clearly indicates the motive behind the whole expedition – ‘Kayak For Cancer’ – a catchphrase bound to make this endurance test a tough, yet satisfying, experience.

Ever since the first Sicily-Malta Windsurf Crossing in 1982 the determining factor in the success of such activities has been the support extended by local yachtsmen.

Talking of the support fleet in the heydays of the popular Wishbone Malta-Sicily Windsurf Race one would find an HQ vessel, ten even thirteen escort vessels, VIP boat, medical boat, press boat/s, TV boat and stand-by/reserve boats.

In the Malta-Sicily Kayak Challenge there will be a support fleet of thirteen yachts. Their role during the crossing will be; one HQ vessel, seven escort yachts, one assigned to each peddler, one TV/Photography boat, three stand-by/reserve boats, all twelve are sailing boats with a power-boat which will head for Pozzallo prior to the crossing contingent to ensure that all is set at the Sicilian end with regards to berths, Capiteneria, etc.

The yachts making up the support fleet are all sailing boats, except for one, due to the nature of the event – the crossing is bound to be a slow trip possibly taking some 16 or 18 hours. The crossing is set to start at three in the morning from Marsalforn Gozo which presents a shorter distance to Pozzallo, by some 3.4 nautical miles, rather than having a Marsmxett Harbour to Pozzallo run.

The skippers who pledged their wholehearted commitment towards the ‘Kayak For Cancer’ challenge are, names given in bracket following boat’s name; Coley II (Geoffrey Webster), Gallivanter (Glynis Pace), Gitan (Joseph Zerafa), Jannic 5 (Malcolm Beetham), Lady Morwenna (Vince Ratcliffe), Maltemi (Edward Scicluna), Princess Serena (Victor Calleja), Sandy Three (Roland Darmanin Kissaun), Spinner (John Formosa), Sunny Bear (Martin Azzopardi), Tua (Richard Tua), Wishbone (Herman Baldacchino) and Yasumi (Jovin Rausi).

The Malta-Sicily Kayak Challenge is also supported by a pool of sponsors namely, GasanMamo Insurance Ltd, Farrugia Investments Ltd, Datatrak plc, Go Sicily Properties, Tower Supermarkets Ltd (Sliema), Virtu Ferries Ltd, and Errea by Tutto Sports Ltd.