Getting to Pozzallo in just 2hrs 13mins

It was Friday the 13th, yet for 20-year-old Polish windsurfing celebrity Kamil Manowiecki, this was a day to remember and a massive feat on an anniversary Crossing.

For the Enemed Malta-Sicily Windsurf Crossing 1982-2022), was a 40th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, of the first ever successful windsurf crossing between Sicily and Malta in 1982. On the day Peter Bonello and Paul Ellul covered the 53.4 nautical miles marathon in 9hrs 31mins.

Besides Kamil Manowiecki, who symbolically represented the foreign windsurfers who over the years participated in the ‘Pozzallo Race’, the other four participants on the Enemed Malta-Sicily Windsurf Crossing - 40th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (1982-2022), were a mix of Maltese ‘veterans’ and ‘new comers’ windsurfers. These were Paul Ellul (59 yrs), Karl Miggiani (24), Tom Zammit Tabona (28) and Shaun Miggiani (21).

“The Crossing started at 10:30 in a Light NW breeze (Force 2 to 3) which picked up to a top of a Force 4 as we sailed offshore and got closer to Sicily.” remarked Mark Vassallo, Principal Crossing Officer.

“The crossing was something unusual for me, I am training for much shorter distances, I have never sailed so far at one time, so I didn’t really know what to expect. Even though I had to pass through the open water, the highway of enormous cruisers and container ships, the organizers have provided me two supporting boats. One leading boat showing me the shortest way to Sicily and the other one was just next to me looking after and taking care of all my needs. With this team I managed to sail super fast and get to Sicily after 2 hours and 13mins!”, remarked Kamil Manowiecki.

On arrival in Pozzallo, Manowiecki regretfully had to leave immediately for Lake Garda, in northern Italy, to prepare for the upcoming European Championship.

The support Fleet was made of:

Yacht/Skipper: Lady LuLu (Neville Chetcuti), Misama (Jean Camilleri), Just For Fun (Simon Vella), Cobemagica (Michael Busuttil), Baloo (Kevin Attard), Win (Emil Bonello Ghio) and Maggie May (Ray Mallia).

Rubber Dinghy/Skipper: Dee Kay (Mark Darmanin Kissaun), Sandy 5 (Albert Fenech) Lucy X (Chris Grech), Sierra 62 (Michael Mifsud) and Sierra 32 (Mark Vassallo).

Timings of arival recorded by Alex Turnbull, results based on departure time of 10:30 read:

Kamil Manowiecki – 2hrs 13mins; Karl Miggiani - 2hrs 45mins; Tom Zammit Tabona – 3hrs 33mins; Shaun Miggiani – 3hrs 51mins; and Paul Ellul – 6hrs 17mins.

“This incredible record-time further strengthen the reputation of this legendary event, already recognised as the ‘longest singlestage windsurf Race in the world’. On behalf of my old-guard colleague Jeff Poulton, I thank the Malta Young Sailors Club, various individuals, Maltese and Sicilian entities, sponsors, the support fleet and also Transport Malta who all contributed to the event overall success”, observed Wilfred Sultana, General Organiser and Originator of the ‘ Pozzallo Saga’.

The Enemed Malta-Sicily Windsurf Crossing – 40th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (19822022), promoted and organised by Wishbone Windsurfing Promotions with the cooperation of the Malta Young Sailors Club, is being held with the collaboration of the Comune di Pozzallo (City Council of Pozzallo) Sicily, having Enemed as the "Official Fuels Partner” as well as the main sponsors. The other Official Partners of the Event are GasanMamo Insurance, S&D Yachts, Blye, Medcomms Marine Electronic, Cisk, and Roland Marina. The Lega Navale Italiana – Sezione di Pozzallo is extending its support on the Pozzallo end of the event. The Event is also being held with the esteemed support and recognition of the Malta Sports Journalists Association.