With the Freedom Day Regatta fast approaching, Senglea Regatta Club are firmly in the spotlight. The reigning champions arrive at this March’s edition carrying the weight of expectation that comes with defending a title, but also the quiet confidence of a club that knows what it takes to win.
Michaela Fava sat down with two key figures from the Senglea camp ahead of the race.
Club secretary Omar Vella was measured but confident in his assessment, acknowledging that every regatta carries its own story and its own challenges. What he was certain of, however, is that Senglea carried out the right analysis after their last outing and acted on it, strengthening the squad in the areas where improvement was needed. Vella was open about where those changes were made and left little doubt that Senglea will once again be among the favourites when the boats line up this March.
Young rower Denilson Long echoed that confidence from a personal standpoint. Having been handed new responsibilities by the committee, Long insists he is ready for the challenge ahead, including the demanding task of competing across three separate heats. He was clear that he will give everything he has in each of them.
When asked where he feels strongest, Long said he is comfortable across all the categories he is entering, though he singled out the Kajjik as the discipline where he feels he has a slight edge. He shared Vella’s view that Senglea are among the favourites, while also giving credit to the other competing teams, acknowledging that the field is strong and nothing can be taken for granted.
