David Galea first home in strenuous race

David Galea emerged clear winner of the Middle-Distance Triathlon which the Malta Triathlon Association held last weekend at Xemxija Bay.

The race is one of the toughest tests of endurance and stamina ever staged by the local triathlon organisation. The distances were: 2.5km swim, an 82km cycle followed by a 20km run. It is called middle-distance because it is half an Ironman Triathlon where distances are doubled.

Galea is currently the holder of the national records for both the Ironman Triathlon (9:28.13 - set in Holland in 1997) and the Olympic Triathlon (1:53.58 - set last month in Cyprus).

It was Gordon Camenzuli who emerged first out of the water in 48 minutes and 25 seconds, followed one minute later by William Brydon and Galea.

Galea's excellent performance in the water enabled him to quickly catch up with the leader in the cycling segment. He went on to register a provisional timing of 2:20.25.

In the meantime, Michael Gellel overtook Brydon to start the run in third place.

Galea again had the best time in the third segment - 1:21.03 to finish the race in a combined time of 4:30.57.

Camenzuli was making his first attempt at a long distance race.

He completed the day with a fine run to chalk up an overall time of 4:44.01. Gellel followed in third place in 4:57.03.

Zammit 40th in World Junior Championship

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Mark Zammit made his international debut on Sunday when taking part in the junior category of the Triathlon World Championships which was held in Madeira Island, Portugal.

Over 70 triathletes, including the world's best from 25 different countries, took part in this championship race - a Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycle and a 5km run).

Zammit finished 40th overall in a creditable time of 1:11.21.