Canadian Evan Berofsky wins main event in Malta tournament
Featuring over 60 players from all five continents, the 10th Malta International Scrabble Open, organised by Malta Scrabble Club at the be.Hotel and sponsored by SportMalta, Malta Tourism Authority, Intercomp and Dolce Plus (Bay Street), could have sported the Olympic flag as its defining symbol.
Of the flag’s five rings, it was that of the North American subcontinent that sparkled most brightly thanks to Evan Berofsky of Canada, who won the three-day main event, and Stefan Rau of the United States, who claimed victory in the twoday Late Bird.
The old continent had its share of accolades with the UK’s two top spots, the Scotsman Vincent Boyle in the one-day Early Bird and the Englisman Jamie Jones in the B Division of the Late Bird, the second place of Brid Ni Bhriain of Ireland in the B Division of the Late Bird, and two third places of the Englishmen Steve Perry and Colin Northmore in the main event and Late Bird respectively. David Webb of England missed out very narrowly on defending his title, placing second in the main event.
Malta shone also thanks to the sterling performance of its players. Ten-time Malta champion Theresa Brousson confirmed she is back with a vengeance from a two-year break by placing second in the Early Bird and third in the main event. Runner-up Malta champion Moira Fenech led a Maltese trio in the B Division of the main event, with Kevin Pirotta in second and Josephine Mayo in third, the latter also placing first in the B Division of the Early Bird.
Shakir Reshamwale, an Indian from Kuwait, carried the Asian flag with honour placing second in the B Division of the main event. The Australians, Karen Richards and John Barker, did the same for Oceania with second place behind Rau in the Late Bird and third place in the B Division of the same event.
There was some glory for Africa too thanks to victory of the Ratings Prize in the A Division of the Early Bird by Debbe Hossy of South Africa.