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The
13th November saw the first day of the 4th Annual Blue Dolphin
of Malta Underwater Photographic Competition. A reception
at the Calypso Hotel, Masalforn on the Island of Gozo during
the evening welcomed the record number of 42 entrants from
7 countries to what has become a major feature in the European
underwater photographic circuit. The event, organised by the
Federation of Underwater Activities of Malta (FUAM) and sponsored
by 14 different organisations and companies, including the
National Tourism Organisation of Malta, Ministry for Gozo,
Ministry for Youth, Sport and Culture, Gozo Channel Co. Ltd
and Farsons, guaranteed a smooth-running competition.
DAY
I
The
only thing which could not be guaranteed was the weather.
The residue of a north-westerly wind and its accompanying
swell meant that the chosen dive site for the first day of
the competition was in fact one of the few diveable areas.
An early start at 8.30 a.m. in Dwerja Bay, with its Blue Hole
and Inland Sea, saw 42 contestants, their models and assistants
commence the competition in earnest.
Slightly
less than a third chose the easy entry route into the Inland
Sea, dropping down from 3m to 18m into and through a spectacular
chasm of approximately 80m in length. This enabled plenty
of opportunity for silhouette shots as the sun tried to cut
through the cloud. On the open sea side of the chasm, with
large caves and chimneys to the left and a good sheer rock
wall to the right, fish life was sparse. However, parrot fish
and others found the reflection of the patient divers' lenses
irresistible and began making hesitant darts in and out of
the field of view of anxiously held cameras.
The
majority of the participants who chose their first dive through
the Blue Hole were rewarded with a slightly better selection
of marine life. Splendid rock walls and caves were in abundance,
beautiful red coral growth amongst tightly packed green flora.
The Azure Window made a splendid backdrop for Wide- angle
shots With the sun's rays casting large shafts of stabbing
light, testing the skills of the underwater artist.
DAY
2
Day
two of the competition was greeted with a change of wind direction,
almost a complete turn about, so new diving sites were required.
A strange caravan of assorted vehicles - jeeps, trucks, minibuses,
cars etc., all overladen with anxious competitors their equipment,
models, assistants and of course the stewards and marshals,
set off in search of the best locations. After a brief look
at Xlendi, which was rejected, the convoy moved on along the
coast to Torri ta Mgarr-ix-Xini where despite the many steps
down to the waters edge, the cAean, clear waters looked enticing.
The signal was given that this was to be the area for the
days diving. Whereupon the struggle to assemble all the equipment
in the vehicles to within a reasonable staggering distance
of the water's edge began. Inflatables materialised from around
the headlands to act as cover to all divers.
The
dive site was a natural inlet in the rocky coastline, approximately
600m in width where it met the open sea. Each side of the
inlet offered a different type of underwater terrain. The
right hand side shelved steeply, down to 60m and the left
hand side was shallower and featured caves, tunnels and huge
boulders. Octopus, wrasse and tube worms were more abundant
than on the first day and most competitors appreciated the
increased variety of subjects.
JUDGING
At
2.30 p.m. the films were collected and the weary but well
satisfied participants commenced the return journey to the
Calypso Hotel. That evening a video and slide show was presented,
before the developed films were returned to the competitors
to select 6 slides from the two films for judging.
On
Friday and Saturday evenings entertainment was provided. On
Friday this took the form of a free beer evening and folk
night courtesy of Carlsberg and on Saturday night the competition
slide presentation and prizegiving were integrated with a
dinner at the nearby Cornucopia Hotel.
WINNERS
The
winner, Andre Tuoppolo (France) received a prize of US$1,000
and the U.I.S.P. Shield for use of his winning shot on next
year's Blue Dolphin Competition poster. The runner up, Settimio
Cipriano (Italy) received a prize of US$500. Third, Jean Michel
Mille (France) received US$300. Highest placed UK entrant
was Bill Hewitt, who came fifth. Tom Cowan received an award,
a wide-angle lens and viewfinder donated by Foto Leone, for
the best nature slide. Foto Leone also donated two torches
to the youngest competitor, Stephan Allier.
Overall a good, well organised competition. I'll be back next
year.
RESULTS
1 Andre Ruoppolo (France)
2 Settimio Cipriano (Italy)
3 Jean Michel Mille (France)
BLUE DOLPHIN OF MALTA - ARTICLES ON OTHER EVENTS
1989
by Debbie Perrin
1993
by Greg Cassar
2002
by Linda Dunk |
