Galea, Zammit win longest race

The fifth and longest race in the Birkirkara St Joseph Open Water Swimming Series 2008 was won by Angela Galea and Simon Zammit.

Galea beat all opposition in 57 minutes 12 seconds over the four-kilometre route at St Paul's Bay. Long distance swimmer Zammit was first male home in 59:30.

Forty swimmers, most of them in their final preparations for the Gozo-Malta Challenge, took part.

In the men's race, overall classification leader Keith Galea was handed his second defeat in so many races. This time it was the prowess of Zammit on the longer distances that left Galea trailing in the final 500 metres. Galea's time was 59:40.

David Briffa clocked 1:07.21 in third place.

The experienced Angela Galea had no match in the women's race. Her finishing time makes her favourite to win the race across the Gozo channel later on this month.

Series leader Danica Spiteri, herself suffering the first defeat, was second in 1:05.57. Current series champion Isabelle Zarb finished third in 1:08.06.

Birkirkara SJ were assisted by the St Paul's Bay Local Council and the Malta Maritime Authority. The sixth and final race in the 2008 series will be held on September 3.