Strong currents and high swells challenged even some of the most seasoned swimmers in the recently held Malta-Gozo-Malta and Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming competitions, organised by the Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club under the auspices of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA).
At the crack of dawn on Saturday, 118 swimmers, accompanied by a flotilla of supporting boats, took to the waters on the north of the island. Fourteen swimmers undertook the 11km race, setting off from Marfa in Malta, towards Ras il-Qala in Gozo and back to Marfa, while the rest tackled the 5.5km route from Ras il-Qala.
The prevailing swells, which were the strongest near the island of Comino, hampered most of the swimmers from achieving their pre-set timings but only three failed to finish the race.
Richard Zerafa put into good use a combination of technique and experience to win the 11km race in a time of 2 hours 51 minutes and 40 seconds, well ahead of U-17 swimmer Andrew Sultana who clocked 2 hours 59 minutes and 47 seconds.
Robert Vella was third in 3 hours 5 minutes and 26 seconds.
In the women’s category, it was the young Sarah Demicoli who emerged a clear winner in 2 hours 58 minutes and 13 seconds.
Demicoli, who has dominated the past two open water swimming seasons, was the second swimmer overall to finish the race.
Second place went to Isabelle Zarb, a swimmer with many years of experience, in a time of 3 hours 46 minutes and 51 seconds followed by Sandra Schembri in 4 hours 2 minutes 20 seconds.
Only one participant did not complete the course.
Gozo-Malta
The 5.5km course was won by two Under-17 swimmers – Dylan Cachia and Maya Schembri Rogers – both having registered very good results this season.
Cachia won the overall Birkirkara SJ Open Water Swimming Championships and Schembri Rogers achieved a podium place in all the races she competed in.
Cachia, who finished in a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 13 seconds, was followed closely by Gabriel Pace and Isaac Micallef.
Schembri Rogers led the female brigade, winning the race comfortably ahead of Beata Zubel and Angelika Ruggier. All three were competing in this race for the first time.
The race also saw a strong international participation with athletes from Ireland, Russia and Australia taking part in what they claimed was one of the best races they have ever competed in.
Euchar Camilleri, the Birkirkara SJ secretary, expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the race.
“Open water long-distance swimming events are synonymous with Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, having in the past organised the round Malta swim twice, Gozo to Marsascala twice, round Gozo twice, round Comino and an annual championships of open water swimming,” Camilleri said.
“Every year, we experienced a consistent growth in the number of participants, which naturally makes things more challenging for the club’s organising team. However, the assistance of the authorities enables us to deliver a top-notch experience for our swimmers.”
The presentation ceremony was held immediately after the races where age group and overall winners were given trophies by ASA president Joe Caruana Curran and Henri Mattocks, general manager of the Ramla Bay Resort.