Maltese Driver Shines at Global Karting Challenge in Le Mans

Jul 23 2024

From July 16th to 20th, Maltese driver Nicky Gauci and his crew competed in the prestigious Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans, France, showcasing their skill against an international roster. The event, renowned for its competitive spirit, featured over 350 drivers from 44 nations across five continents, making it a highlight in the karting calendar.

Gauci placed 40th out of 108 drivers, an impressive feat considering the level of competition. Qualifying 49th overall, Gauci the driver started each heat in 17th position. He demonstrated consistent performance with finishes of 12th in heat one, 13th in heat two, 5th in heat three, and 11th in heat four. Unfortunately, an incident in heat five dropped him to 31st place, impacting his overall ranking. Despite this setback, Gauci secured 14th place in the super heat.

Reflecting on the event, Gauci expressed satisfaction with their overall performance, despite the challenges. Speaking to Malta Daily, Gauci highlighted the importance of maintaining a clear mind while racing and took pride in keeping the Maltese flag flying high throughout the competition.

Kudos Nicky!

#MaltaDaily

Meet The Maltese Team Competing At The Paris Olympics 2024

Jul 23 2024

The Maltese Olympic Committee has announced the team representing the island at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team comprises five athletes competing in athletics, swimming, judo, and clay shooting.

Beppe Grillo, a 21-year-old athlete, will compete in the men’s 100m preliminary round. He has been involved in athletics since he was 14 and has trained at a semi-pro level for the past three years. Beppe holds the titles of current 100m and 200m National Champion.

Katryna Esposito will compete in the women’s Judo 48kg preliminary rounds at the iconic Champ de Mars. She began practicing judo in 2019 and has since excelled, winning gold at the European Games of Small States of Europe and the Commonwealth Championships held in Malta. Esposito also secured bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Malta’s only medal of the entire tournament.

Last year, Esposito was ranked 40th in the world before suffering a heartbreaking ACL injury. Following her operation, she has already climbed back to 55th in the world. Adding to her list of achievements, she was named Maltese Sportswoman of the Year in 2022 and has been national champion in her category and several others for a few years now.

Gianluca Chetcuti, one of Malta’s finest trap shooters, will participate in the Men’s Trap Qualification round in Paris. He has set and broken numerous records, becoming the first Maltese shooter to reach a final in an ISSF Trap World event. Gianluca will be one of the two athletes carrying the Maltese flag at the Opening Ceremony on the River Seine.

Nineteen-year-old Sasha Gatt will compete in the Women’s 1500m Freestyle Heats. This will be her second Games, having competed at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as one of the youngest athletes on the Maltese team. Due to her impressive results, Sasha is Malta’s highest-ranked female swimmer. She will carry the Maltese flag alongside Gianluca Chetcuti at the opening ceremony.

Kyle Micallef will compete in the Men’s 50m Freestyle Heats. He began swimming at a very young age in Australia, where he grew up, and later in America to advance his studies and swimming career. Kyle joined the Maltese team in 2023 and won gold at the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe.

#MaltaDaily

Turtle Builds Nest at Gnejna Bay

Jul 23 2024

A Loggerhead turtle starting to construct her nest at Gnejna Bay was captured on video by an Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) officer. This marks the fifth turtle discovered at this bay.

The nesting site was found by a member of the public who informed a Nature Trust volunteer in the area.

Following the discovery, the site was immediately closed off to ensure the nest remained protected.

The ERA encourages the public to report any turtle activity and to recognize the importance of acting responsibly around nests to prevent causing any harm to the turtle eggs and hatchlings.

#MaltaDaily

Maltese Pyrotechnics Crew Work at Ultra Music Festival Croatia

Jul 23 2024

Maltese pyrotechnics crew SkyArt recently wowed European partygoers with a stellar show at Ultra Music Festival in Croatia, one of Europe’s premier dance music festivals.

Returning to Split for their second consecutive year, the dynamic young team created jaw-dropping displays that lit up the night sky, complementing the electric performances of top-tier artists such as Armin Van Buuren, DJ Snake, Boris Brejcha, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, and Sebastian Ingrosso.

Maltese pyrotechnics crew SkyArt recently wowed European partygoers with a stellar show at Ultra Music Festival in Croatia, one of Europe’s premier dance music festivals.

SkyArt, founded in 2015, has gained a reputation for their exceptional pyrotechnic artistry, delivering spectacular shows that level-up the atmosphere of various events in Malta and and the world. Their impressive portfolio includes festivals, village feasts, and international events across the globe. They have brought their pyrotechnical expertise to countries like Russia, Germany, Qatar, Serbia, France, and Italy, showcasing their ability to create unforgettable visual experiences.

At Ultra Music Festival, SkyArt’s approach and attention to detail were on full display, with the crew’s intricate choreography of fireworks synchronised perfectly with the DJs’ set list.

Major kudos to SkyArt!

#MaltaDaily