New season set to start in March
TCSSE - highlight of 2006
The Malta Triathlon Association (MTA), together with Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, have prepared a busy schedule of races and events for 2006 which starts with the National Duathlon Championship in March.
This was announced by the MTA president Emmanuel Azzopardi, during an Annual General Meeting at the Cottonera Sports Complex last week.
No fewer than 13 events are planned for the new season with races ranging from super sprints, ideal for beginners, to the gruelling Gozo-Malta Triathlon. However, the main event will be the Triathlon Championship of the Small States of Europe (TCSSE) on May 21.
After an absence of two years, the TCSSE will return to our shores, which is where it originated. It was in 2000 that the first TCSSE was held here with the participation of Luxembourg, Cyprus and Malta.
In 2003, the International Triathlon Union and the European Triathlon Union both gave international recognition to the TCSSE, awarding it the title of an International Race. This meant that the winners and runners-up of the race would gain points for participation in World Championships and Olympics.
In 2004 the race was held in Cyprus and this year it moved to Luxembourg with the participation of Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Monaco, Malta and the hosts.
Triathlon in GSSE
In 2006 it is hoped that athletes from Andorra and Iceland will also take part. This would mean that seven of the eight GSSE members will be present.
This will boost the hopes of all federations in these countries to have triathlon included in the GSSE in future.
TCSSE preparations are already underway with contacts established not only with the other participating countries but also with the European Triathlon Union which has promised to send a Technical Delegate to supervise the race.
The organisers are also confident that with the backing of the Malta Olympic Committee, the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport and local sponsors, the staging of the event will be the best ever.
Towards the end of the AGM, Franco Azzopardi, Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport chairman, presented the trophies of the Triathletes of the Year to Debbie Caruana Dingli and Gordon Camenzuli.
The MTA president took the occasion to thank those who in any way had helped to make the 2005 season a successful one.
In particular, he thanked Powerade & Kristal Water, Kee Klamps and Plum Tree Restaurant. He also showed his appreciation to the Police Force and St James Hospital.