The recently-held Malta Triathlon Championships, sponsored by Kee Klamp, saw Keith Galea being crowned champion for the second time in his career while Danica Bonello Spiteri captured her 11th women’s crown.
In the men’s race, Galea (Birkirkara St Joseph) emerged from the water after 22 minutes 33 seconds followed by team-mate Rudolph Agius in 25 minutes 35 seconds.
Fabio Spiteri (Mellieħa) was third in 25 minutes 48 seconds.
The order was unchanged in the bike segment with Galea preserving his supremacy on his nearest pursuers.
Galea crossed the finish line strongly after a 10k run for an ac-cumulated 2 hours 51 seconds.
Spiteri overtook Agius in the run but a two-minute penalty for an infringement in the cycle segment meant that Spiteri’s overall time was only one second faster than than that of third-placed Agius who finished in 2 hours 9 minutes 26 seconds.
In the women’s race, Bonello Spiteri (St Patrick’s) exited the water after 23 minutes 48 seconds, just over a minute ahead of Mellieħa AC triathlete Margaret Seguna.
Birkirkara St Joseph’s Michelle Vella Wood, who had completed the swimming leg in 25 minutes 37 seconds, produced a strong performance on the bike, narrowing the gap with Bonello Spiteri to 10 seconds.
But, Bonello Spiteri showed her strength in the run, crossing the finish line in 2hrs 17mins 7secs to secure her 11th national title.
Vella Wood was second, a minute adrift, with Calleja third in 2hrs 22mins 50secs.
A total of 86 triathletes, 18 of whom from the UK, Denmark and Italy, took part in the two events (Olympic and sprint) which the Maltese association staged with the assistance of Birkirkara SJ.
The sprint was won by Sylvester Cilia (men) in 1hr 7mins 24secs and Michelle Scott (women) in 1hr 15mins 55secs.
Commitment
“We are proud of our athletes who train with commitment and dedication, improving their performance both locally and abroad,” Cyprian Dalli, president of the Malta Triathlon Association, said at the end of the race.
“The triathlon association is constantly working hard to sustain the development of this sport as well as the athletes who make up our organisation.”
Lino Farrugia Sacco, president of the Maltese Olympic Committee, presented the trophies to the winners in the various categories.