Neil Agius consolidated his top spot in the Birkirkara St Joseph Vileda Open Water Championships with another victory in the second race of the series held last week.

On the same day, Hannah Pace opened her title defence in style after having missed the first race due to commitments abroad.

Conditions could not have been better for the 100 swimmers starting the two-kilometre race in the calm waters of Salina Bay.

A sizable crowd lined the shoreline as the first wave of 40 swimmers started the race.

Agius opened an unassailable lead by the start of the second 1,000-metre lap to finish the race in 26 minutes, 39 seconds.

Roberto Demicoli preserved his second placing in 28:37, finishing ahead of Keith Galea 28:48.

Pace, the 2012 BSJ series winner, was in a class of her own in the women’s event as she swam unchallenged to cover the distance in 28:52.

Michelle Vella Wood, who won the first race of the series, was second in 32:07.

Third-placed Maria Camilleri showed considerable improvement to finish in 32:13.

The third race from the BSJ series will be held on July 3.