Hannah Pace crosses the finish line to win the women’s category in the Olimpico Cittá di Palermo triathlon. Photo: Riccardo Giardina

Newly-crowned Malta cross triathlon champion Hannah Pace maintained her fine form after winning the Olimpico Cittá di Palermo triathlon besides placing a creditable 12th in a field of 140 athletes.

Participants had to cover 1.5km in a very challenging swim, a cycling segment of 40 kilometres and a run of 10 kilometres.

Pace led the way in the women’s category from the start, exiting the water in 21 minutes 42 seconds.

Making a fast transition to the cycling segment, Pace was able to keep a consistent pace on the six loops of a relatively flat course, finishing in 1:01.16.

The Maltese triathlete completed the 10km run in 39 minutes 50 seconds to win the women’s race in 2:02.48.

Pace’s success in Sicily is a significant achievement for an athlete whose career had been jeopardised at the start of the year when she suffered a serious injury that kept her out of action for eight weeks.

However, sheer determination and commitment saw Pace return to form, resulting in her winning the National Cycling Championships, the first ever National Cross Triathlon Championships as well as a second place at the National Open Water Swimming League.

“Having had to deal with a serious injury, this year started badly for me,” Pace said.

“I had doubts about being able to participate in races, let alone gain positive results.

“But, working closely with my coaches Dermot Galea, Neil Agius and Nicky Lanzon, I was able to get back on track.”

The season is not yet over for Pace as she now plans to race in the Birkirkara St Joseph Sprint Series, the National Championships and the Triathlon Sprint di San Vito lo Capo, where she will be representing Team Garmin.

Pace’s participation in such races is only made possible through the support of Garmin, Maxinutrition Malta, Cfragrances Perfumes and Two and a half Lemon Restaurant.

Good performances in Palermo were also registered by Graham Borg, first in his age group, and David Galea, who was third in his age bracket.

Other positive results were obtained by Jude Zammit, Bruce Zarb, Gejtu Catania and Mario Muscat.