Ben Camille this week paid a visit to the Kalkara Rowing Club where he discovered the challenges of competing in the Regatta Nazzjonali.
Ben Camille met with Dorian Cilia, an experienced rower, who said that rowing was a tough sport and only rowers with a strong character and will can succeed.
“Rowing is a sport that you need to grow into,” Cilia said.
“One has to go and have a close look at what it involves and once you start practising the sport you will end up hooked on it. You cannot practise this sport if you are not passionate and dedicated.
“If someone has a ‘soft’ character you cannot succeed in it. You need to be resilient during a race to ensure you put in powerful strokes and have a good control of your mind.”
Cilia said that clubs work a lot on team building and the fact that rowers are together for a long time to prepare for a regatta surely is beneficial to create a special bond.
“The sport of regatta is different to other disciplines as we don’t have races every week, we have an event once every six months,” Cilia said.
“That gives us the opportunity for a long preparation process. During those six months rowers are together to prepare their boats and also almost live together and that inevitably builds a strong team spirit which is crucial on race day.”
Hottest games predictions
The challenge between Ben Camille and Times of Malta Sports Editor Valhmor Camilleri is heating up, as they continue trying to predict the results of the hottest games happening this weekend.
How did they do last week?
Valhmor Camilleri continued to extend further his lead after week 14 of the hottest games of the week challenge.
In fact, Valhmor Camilleri managed to predict the correct score of the Maltese Premier League clash between Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara which the Reds won 1-0 to end the week with 40 points.
Ben Camille on the other hand failed to pick up any points last weekend.
Total Scores after week 14
In the overall standings, Valhmor Camilleri leads the way with 560 points while Ben Camille is trailing with 420 points.
We will keep you updated with a tally of their scores every week. A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
Chelsea vs Liverpool (Saturday at 17.45)
Liverpool will bid to keep their quadruple chase alive in Saturday’s FA Cup final against a Chelsea side hoping to welcome incoming owner Todd Boehly with victory at Wembley.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have four matches left in their historic attempt to become the first English team to win all four major trophies in one season.
They beat Chelsea to lift the League Cup in February and have reached the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League, where they face Real Madrid on May 28.
No English club has come this close to such an incredible clean sweep, but Liverpool know their hopes of winning the Premier League are starting to fade.
Manchester City moved three points clear of the second-placed Reds with a 5-1 win at Wolves on Wednesday and need four points from their last two games against West Ham and Aston Villa to retain the crown.
If a second English title in three seasons proves beyond Liverpool despite their blistering form in the second half of the season, then winning two more cup competitions would be a memorable consolation.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Chelsea vs Liverpool 1-1.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Chelsea vs Liverpool 1-2.
Milan vs Atalanta (Sunday at 18.00)
AC Milan welcome Atalanta to the San Siro on Sunday knowing this could be the weekend that they snatch the Scudetto from local rivals Inter.
Needing four points from their final two games of the season, Milan stand on the brink of a first Serie A title since 2011 and they could have one of the six teams still fighting relegation hand them the crown.
Stefano Pioli’s Milan will extend their lead on reigning champions Inter to five points if they beat Atalanta, who are still in the hunt for Europa League football.
Inter would then have to win at Cagliari to ensure that an enthralling title race enters a final week, a theoretically simple task given the gulf in class between the two sides.
Simone Inzaghi’s side are fresh from a thrilling, extra-time Italian Cup triumph over old foes Juventus on Wednesday and will be hoping to use that wave of enthusiasm in the climax to the campaign.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Milan vs Atalanta 2-0.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Milan vs Atalanta 1-0.
Juventus vs Lazio (Monday at 20.45)
Lazio will be looking to strengthen their bid for an Europa League berth next season when they travel to Juventus on Monday.
The Biancocelesti, currently in fifth place on 62 points, seven adrift of the same Juventus with just two matches to go, know that while Champions League football is out of their reach they will be keen to wrap up fifth placing which would earn them a place in the group stages of the second most-important UEFA competition.
However, their task will be anything but easy as they face a Juventus side who are still hurting from their defeat in the Coppa Italia final against Inter.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri will be desperate for a response from his players as they look to end the season on a bright note to somewhat make up for their failure to win a major honour this season.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Juventus vs Lazio 1-0.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Juventus vs Lazio 2-0.
Do you reckon you can beat Ben and Valhmor? Let us know your predictions for this weekend’s hottest matches in the comments below.
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