The Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming Challenge, organised annually by Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club will be held today, starting at 8am from Ras il-Qala, in Gozo, to finish at Marfa for a distance of 5.5 kilometres.

Forty-eight swimmers have taken up the challenge, after qualifying through the Club’s open water swimming series. This race is being held under the auspices of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta.

At a meeting for the participating swimmers and boat owners held on Wednesday, Club Swimming Board chairperson Ms Isabelle Zarb said that following the successful introduction of various schemes, this year the Club has more than doubled the participation in its swimming events over the past couple of years, resulting also in an increase in the number of participants in the channel swim over last year. This meeting was also addressed by the Club Secretary General Euchar Camilleri, who explained the proceedings on the day of the race.

Every swimmer crossing the channel on Saturday will be accompanied by a boat, while the race route will be closed for maritime traffic between 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. (Notice to Mariners No. 48 of 2009 refers).

The Maritime Squadrons of the Armed Forces of Malta, the Police and the Civil Protection Department will be in attendance at various stages of the race. The Gozitan Red Cross sea ambulance, and the St. James Hospital ambulance, both with a team of paramedics will also be present to ensure the safety of the swimmers.

Bertie Muscat has been appointed by the Club as the chief judge to ensure that the proper race regulations are adhered to. The presentation of trophies to the race winners will be made by Dr. Austin Sammut, President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, at the Riviera Barcelo’ Hotel and Spa.

The charitable institution attached to this year’s channel swim is Inspire (The Eden Foundation and Razzett tal-Hbiberija) and swimmers will be raising funds through sponsorships.