Galea, Zarb have titles in sight

Birkirkara St Joseph swimmers Keith Galea and Isabelle Zarb have virtually wrapped up the titles they won last year after emerging on top in the fourth race of the Open Sea Swimming Series 2007, held at Marsascala.

Galea led the race from the start, swimming the two kilometres in 31 minutes 9 seconds. Team-mate Luke Bonnici just managed to secure second place in 33 minutes 11 seconds, reaching the finishing buoy one second ahead of Keith Bartolo.

Veteran swimmer Zarb confirmed her prowess in open sea swimming by keeping her 100 per cent record in a time of 35 minutes 42 seconds. Zarb's last defeat was in the final race of the 2005 Series at the hands of the then overall winner Angele Cremona.

At the Marsascala race, Michelle Wood placed second in 37 minutes 19 seconds and Susan Farrugia was third in 38 minutes 36 seconds.

The fifth race in this series will be held on August 8, 2007 on a distance of four kilometres. This event should serve as a good test for those swimmers preparing for the Gozo-Malta Open Sea Swimming Challenge, scheduled for Saturday, August 28.

Further information is available on the Birkirkara St Joseph website, www.bkarastjoseph.com.