Monaco's Banti home first as Spiteri wins women's race

Near perfect weather conditions led to some astonishing results at the 10th Triathlon Championships of the Small States of Europe held recently at the Salina Coast Road.

In the past, only one Maltese athlete had managed to dip under two hours for the Olympic Triathlon on the same route.

That athlete was Mark Zammit who, in a low-key race in 2006, covered the distance in 1:59:28.

Last Sunday, Zammit not only succeeded in bettering his own time by finishing in 1:57:53, he also managed to inspire another local athlete Dermot Galea to do the same. He completed the race in 1:58:39.

And if that was not enough, a third Maltese, Keith Galea, came agonisingly close to breaking the two-hour barrier by just 22 seconds.

These efforts, however, failed to secure the coveted first place for Malta as that honour went to Herve Banti, of Monaco, who finished in 1:56:06.

Zammit had to settle for second place - a familiar position for Malta in these championships, since he himself occupied it in 2006 and Dermot Galea in 2002.

Third place went to Tom Carier, of Luxembourg, 1:58:21.

Carier, a winner in Malta in 2003 (1:55:47), is familiar with the podium as he won these championships three times, was second twice and once third.

Malta again had to rely on Danica Spiteri to mount the highest step on the podium.

This is the second time she has climbed so high, having first won the TCSSE in 2006. Her winning time of 2:24:31 is not a personal best for her but it was enough to clinch the title.

In second place, just 30 seconds behind Spiteri, was Michelle Wood, a vastly improved athlete who appears to have put her wayward performance behind her.

Third place went to last year's winner, Myriam Reuland, of Luxembourg, in 2:30:50.

Both men's and women's team events were won by Malta. The men's team consisted of Zammit, Dermot Galea and Keith Galea and the women's team was formed by Spiteri, Wood and Johanna Calleja.

In all, 39 athletes took part, 16 of whom hailing from Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco and Cyprus. The next edition of the TCSSE is planned for Liechtenstein in August 2010.

Trophies were distributed by Dr Maria Deguara, Naxxar mayor, and Bernard Vassallo, the Malta Sports Council chairman.

The Malta Triathlon Association was assisted by Joseph F. Spiteri & Co, Birkirkara St Joseph SC, Qawra Palace Hotel, Kristal Water and a host of volunteers.