Bonello Spiteri and Galea in races abroad

Earlier this month, Danica Bonello Spiteri and Dermot Galea took part in triathlon races in Hungary and the UK respectively.

Bonello Spiteri raced in the Triathlon World Championships Final in Budapest on September 12 where she placed 45th in her Age Group (25-29) and first in the Medical Doctors’ Group.

Unsurprisingly, considering that this was the final of the World Championship series, there was a very strong field of athletes from all over the world.

In fact, Bonello Spiteri’s group, which contained 82 athletes, was won by Andrea Steyn, of South Africa, in a time of 1:55:42. Bonello Spiteri’s finishing time of 2:15:14 was a personal best for her and augurs well for the upcoming National Championships due to be held on October 3 at the Salina Coast Road circuit.

Galea took part in the Perranport Surf Triathlon in Cornwall, England, where the distances were swim: 1km; bike: 38km and cycle: 7.5km.

Despite the fact that the distances were slightly shorter than the established Olympic race, this was, in Galea’s own words, one of the toughest events he took part in considering that the swim was held in Atlantic waters where challenging waves of up to 4m made progress difficult. Moreover, the run was practically held all on the beach.

With 71 finishers, Galea managed to finish in a creditable 10th place overall in a time of 1:58:30.

The race in Cornwall was won by David Bartlett in 1:51:36.

Next month, Galea will be unable to defend the National Championship title which he has won nine times in the past.

He will be taking a Sabbatical year from competition in order to pursue a University course in Loughbourough, England.