The Malta Triathlon Federation will be fielding a strong squad at the European Championships which get underway in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday.

Fabio Spiteri, Graham Borg, Danica Bonello Spiteri, Hannah Pace and Margaret Seguna will all be on the start line and looking to produce their best performances along with the major contenders on the continent.

Spiteri and Borg will be taking part in the Standard Distance (1,500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run) while Bonello Spiteri and Seguna will be competing in the Sprint Distance (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run).

Pace will be engaged in both challenges on Friday and Sunday.

In past years, Maltese triathletes registered remarkable results in the championships.

In 2012, Keith Galea won gold and Bonello Spiteri claimed bronze in their categories in Eliat, Israel.

The following year, in Turkey, Pace ran home first and Galea third and in the 2014 championships, in Austria, it was Bonello Spiteri’s turn to step on the podium again after her runner-up position.

The Geneva race will see competitors swimming in the Lake Leman waters, cycling on the quays near the United Nations offices and finish with a run along the promenade near the water-jet landmark in the Swiss city.

Accompanying the contingent will be Malta Triathlon Federation president Cyprian Dalli. He will attend the European Triathlon Union’s annual general assembly which is regularly held in conjunction with the championships.

“Triathlon Malta is proud to have five of its most representative athletes at the European Championships in Switzerland, this week,” Dalli said.

“They are all well-prepared and trained to reach their objectives in their respective races. Our athletes were assisted by the Maltese Olympic Committee and the European Triathlon Union in their preparation. Such backing is very much appreciated.”

Apart from the general assembly, Dalli is also expected to hold meetings with the ETU Development Board in Geneva. The main topic here will be the Malta Youth Triathlon Academy and the possibilities of more support for the younger generation of triathletes on our islands.

Meanwhile, the Maltese tria-thlon squad will be donning new track suits and carry luggage provided by Adidas. They will also race in new Kiwami tri-suits.

Both sports branding firms are represented in Malta by Eurosport who have just sealed a sponsorship deal with the Malta Triathlon Federation.