Fabio Spiteri and Michelle Vella Wood have been named 2013 Triathletes of the Year.

These yearly accolades are bestowed on those triathletes who show commitment and consistency in their performances throughout the season.

Every triathlete is awarded points for each race, based on the times achieved in races sanctioned by the Malta Triathlon Federation.

Spiteri’s steady performances throughout the year, coupled with his national duathlon championship title, pushed him ahead of the other contenders in the final classification. David Galea was second.

Vella Wood, the current duathlon and triathlon champion, has won this award for the second time in her career, the first being in 2006.

This prize crowned Vella Wood’s successful season as she managed to break former champion Danica Bonello Spiteri’s six-year title run.

As part of its drive to recognise the efforts of as many athletes as possible, the Malta Triathlon Federation rewarded a number of other athletes.

The first five athletes in each category as well as in other age-groups (U-23, O-35, O-40, O-45, O-50 and O-55) were presented with a token gift for their efforts.

“We are very proud to have an increasingly larger pool of athletes, the majority of whom show commitment to race and dedication to improve their performance,” Cyprian Dalli, president of the Malta Triathlon Federation, said.

“As the numbers on the start line grow, we felt the need to award more athletes for their commitment and sacrifices.”

More information on the Malta Triathlon Federation may be obtained by logging to www. triathlonmalta.org, by sending an email to info@triathlonmalta.org or by visiting the federation’s Facebook page.

Award Winners

1. F. Spiteri, M. Vella Wood; 2. D. Galea, D. Bonello Spiteri; 3. S. Cilia, H. Pace; 4. J. Zammit, J. Calleja; 5. K. Galea, A. Knights.

Under-23: N. Markham, D. Buttigieg.

Over-35: K. Goodwin, K. Azzopardi Lane.

Over-40: K. Borg, C. Zammit.

Over-45: R. Borg, A. Cremona.

Over-50: T. Fenech, M. Belsten.

Over-55: V. Sammut.