Zammit, Bezzina gain early edge

The fifth Red Bull Triathlon Series, organised by Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club under the auspices of the Malta Triathlon Association, got underway last Sunday in wintry weather.

These conditions were a nightmare for the organisers considering that triathlon is a sport mostly held during summer.

Due to the slippery route, the cycle segment was removed and the race was reduced to a 750m swim and a 5km run.

Notwithstanding the adverse conditions, the race was held uninterruptedly thanks also to the sterling contribution of marshals, police and helpers.

The 2004 series winner, Mark Zammit, and duathlon champion, Marylynn Bezzina, registered their first victories in emphatic manner under the watchful eyes of national coach Steve Trew, in Malta conducting a training camp.

The national team is currently preparing for the forthcoming Triathlon Championships for the Small States of Europe to be held in Luxembourg in July.

Zammit wrapped up his victory in the swim segment, covering the distance in 10 minutes 13 seconds, just under two minutes ahead of Gordon Camenzuli. In third place was Michael Gellel, 13:31.

Both Gellel and Camenzuli enjoyed a better run than Zammit, but the latter prevailed overall. He ran the 5K in 18:56 and completed the race in 29:09. Gellel, for the second week running, achieved the best 5K run in 18:05. This time, his valiant effort was not enough to catch Camenzuli who finished in 31:01 to Gellel's 31:36.

Camenzuli was eventually han-ded a two-minute penalty for infringing the rules in the run segment and was relegated to third place.

In the ladies' race, Bezzina sustained her momentum following the Duathlon Championships victory, securing her second success in as many weeks. She was second out of the water behind seasoned swimmer Tara Baldacchino. The latter swam the distance in 13:07, 34 seconds ahead of Bezzina.

Debbie Caruana Dingli followed Bezzina in 15:26. Bezzina's 21:38 five-kilometre run was too fast for her opponents, and she finished the race comfortably ahead in 35:19 overall. Baldacchino finished in 37:33 while third-placed Caruana Dingli clocked 41:26.

The St James Emergency Team and the Naxxar Police assisted Birkirkara SJ in the organisation of this event. The second race of the series will be held on May 15 along the same route.