Chris Farrugia from Victoria, Gozo managed to win for the first time the title of champion of the greasy pole competition and so added his name to the long list of people who won this traditional game which is held every year in the picturesque bay of Xlendi.

The games are part of the external feasts of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The games started with a short speech by the rector of Xlendi church Can. Giovanni B. Cremona. The rope competition started immediately after. In this game the participants have to to climb up a rope hanging down to the sea from another rope strewn across the bay. The aim of the game is to grab one of the five flags attached on the horizontal rope. Daniel Portelli repeated last year’s success because he managed to reach the furthest flag in his first attempt and was therefore declared the winner of this game.

After this game, the much expected greasy pole competition got underway. The fine weather brought many visitors to watch the competition. The game was keenly contested by six participants: Steve Xuereb (last year’s winner), Jurgen Attard, Chris Farrugia, Renzo Galea, Chris Xuereb and Lawrence Mercieca. At first, the competitors found the going a bit difficult as the pole was well greased, but bit by bit they managed to edge closer to the flag attached to the end of the pole. Steve, Jurgen and Chris all had good chances of grapping the flag, but that honour went to Chris Farrugia, who in the past was very close to winning the competition. Paul Galea, winner of the competition for several years in the past, did not compete this year.

The Rector and Mr. Peter Lovewell presented trophies to the winners of the two competitions. The trophies were kindly sponsored by Mr. Lovewell.

Afterwards there were the races in the swimming, paddle boat and canoe categories. Lots of children and adolescents participated. The games came to an end at 19.15 hrs with a final presentation of trophies from Mr. Louis Attard, director of Xlendi Pleasure Cruises, who every year kindly provides the canoes and paddle boats for the competitions.

The games were organised by the Committee for Water Sports of the Xlendi Church in close colloboration with the Rector. Other persons who gave a helping hand were Pro Stage Sound, the staff of ERRC, Gordon Grech presenter, Tonio Schembri photographer, the owners of bars and restaurants in Xlendi as well as other volunteers.

All Results

Competition Winners

Rope (Tal-Habel) 1st Daniel Portelli, 2nd & 3rd not reached, 4th Wayne Xerri, Eman Xerri

Greasy Pole (Gostra) Chris Farrugia

Swimming Girls Kirsty Bonnici

Swimming Boys 11 to 13 yrs Andre’ Bonnici

Swimming Boys 14 to 16 yrs Alex Borg

Paddle Boats Girls Imogene Burgene / Melissa Knight

Paddle Boats Boys Robert Cini / Christopher Bonnici

Paddle Boats Boys Adults Jacob Attard / Paul Bugeja

Canoes Girls Jesmine Bonnici

Canoes Boys 8 to 10 yrs Luke Spiteri

Canoes Boys 11 to 12 yrs David Mercieca

Canoes Boys 13 to 14 yrs Gian Paolo Scerri

Canoes Boys 15 to 16 yrs Chris Vella

Canoes Boys Adults over 17’s Jurgen Attard

Permalink: A day of fun for everyone at the Xlendi Annual Water Sports