Luxembourg pair retain their titles at Salina

Luxembourg triathletes proved, once again, that they are unbeatable when it comes to the Small States of Europe Championships. For the fourth consecutive year, they occupied the top positions on the podium in both categories.

Jackie Komes and Tom Carier were again here last weekend to defend the titles they won for the first time in 2002.

Thirty triathletes set off in perfect conditions on Sunday morning at Salina Bay. The priority was earning valuable International Triathlon Union points for next year's Olympics in Greece.

The championships are open to eight countries. Those taking part were Cyprus: three (one woman); Luxembourg: four (one woman); Monaco: seven (all men); Malta: six (three women).

Since the championships also form part of the local nationals, most of the Maltese triathletes took part as well.

The women's race was dominated from start to finish by Komes. She was out of the water in 19:49, already three minutes ahead of nearest rival Maria Mifsud Bonnici. At the end of the cycle, Komes extended her lead to almost five minutes as Danica Spiteri was third.

In the run, the Luxembourg triathlete never allowed herself to relax, continuing to push for a good time and finishing in 2:14.22.

Mifsud Bonnici lost precious time after taking a wrong turning. She was second in 2:21.00. Spiteri retained her third place in 2:23.01. Fourth place went to Ioulia Kannava, of Cyprus, in 2:24.20.

In the men's race, Jacques Lepen (Monaco) forged a 40-second lead in the swim, followed by compatriot Bruno Fiore. Soteris Nicolaou (Cyprus), suffering from a stomach upset, languished behind.

Lepen did a solo ride out in front but was caught right at the end by Fiore and Carier, who had taken turns on the cycle course and looked stronger at the start of the run.

Malta's leading duo, Dermot Galea and Nicky Farrugia, fought to stay ahead of a group of eight riders but, in the end, only managed to enter transition one minute ahead.

Out on the run, Carier stamped his authority and completed the distance in a record 1:55.47. Fiore, climbing up one place from last year's podium finish, was second in 1:56.30. Third was Lepen, 1:58.30.

Malta's efforts were rewarded with a sixth place for Galea (2:01.22) and 11th place for Farrugia (2:08.20). Kypros Nicolaou was first Cypriot and ninth overall in 2:04.32.

At the end of the race, Michael Aquilina, Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport chairman, congratulated all participants and presented the trophies.

In a meeting for officials on Saturday, it was decided that next year's championships will be held in Cyprus in October. Now that the race has gained international recognition, it is hoped that other triathletes will participate.

The race was sponsored by the Ministry for Youth and Arts, the Tourism Authority, Super 5, Powerade and Kristal Water. Assistance was also provided by the Police and Red Cross.

World ranking points for Maltese

Meanwhile, thanks to their positions on Sunday, Mifsud Bonnici, Spiteri and Galea have gained world ranking points.

Mifsud Bonnici and Spiteri are now ranked 168th and 175th respectively. In the men's category, Galea is ranked 205th in the world.

This has been possible thanks to the International Triathlon Union's (ITU) recognition of these championships which now form part of the world ranking status - a procedure used by the ITU to select triathletes for the world championships and the Olympics.