The wind was a determining factor in the national triathlon championships held earlier this month at the Salina Coast Road. National records and personal bests were out as athletes struggled with the choppy waters and faced the long stretches of open road in the cycle and run segments.
The championships, held over the Olympic distance (swim: 1,500m, cycle: 40km, run: 10km), were the culmination of this season's races, organised by the Malta Triathlon Association and Birkirkara St Joseph.
Fifteen athletes took part in the daunting individual event while 24 others formed the eight sides in the relay competition which again attracted some of the island's best athletes from swimming, cycling and running.
Maria Mifsud Bonnici and Dermot Galea confirmed their titles as national champions, beating their nearest rivals by 12 and eight minutes respectively - a clear indication of their current excellent form.
In the individuals' event, it was Galea who exited the water first in 22:22, followed 30 seconds later by veteran Nicky Farrugia and Christopher Spiteri. Mifsud Bonnici was fifth overall in 25:23, followed by former champion Danica Spiteri. Third was Marylynn Bezzina.
Farrugia had the best cycling time of 65:31 but this was only marginally better than that of Galea, who had to slow down in the last eight kilometres because of a puncture. Spiteri entered transition area third in 72:07.
Mifsud Bonnici's cycle time of 72:25 was the best in the women's category and fifth overall. Bezzina, here, drew on her experience to overhaul Spiteri and finish the cycle in 76:35, over six minutes ahead of the latter.
It was the run segment, however, that reserved the best surprise of the day. Here Galea managed to cover the course in 35:36, his best time ever to silence those who say his frame is too bulky for fast running. He finished the triathlon in 2:04.10. Farrugia was second in 2:12.50 while third place went to Spiteri, 2:19.42.
Mifsud Bonnici's long hours of training also paid off as she ran the 10kms in 41:30 to finish the race in 2:20.34, roughly the same time as last year when the conditions were far more favourable. Second was Bezzina, 2:32.26, and third Spiteri, 2:36.41.
In the relay team event, Roberta Callus and Angela Galea from the swimming national squad were undaunted by the unfamiliar seawater competition to finish their race in 21:04 and 21:16 respectively.
Etienne Bonello and Roderick Muscat from the Malta Cycling Federation covered the distance in 62:11 and 64:55. The team who won the race was composed of B. Psaila (swimmer), E. Bonello (cyclist) and J. Sacco (runner) in 2:02.34.
Malcolm Buhagiar, assistant general manager at the Coastline Hotel, presented the trophies and medals to the winners.
The national team are now on their way to Cyprus where they will be taking part in an international triathlon on Sunday. Their trip has been sponsored by Air Malta.
The association was assisted by the Police Force and St John Ambulance. The other sponsors were General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd. and J. Spiteri & Co.