The names of the podium finishers in the men's category at the Triathlon de la Bastille, held yesterday at Golden Bay, read like a list of past, present and future champions.

In third place with a time of 1:02.18, was David Galea, who dominated the local scene in the mid-90s.

A time of 1:01.49 earned Keith Galea second place. Aged 15, Galea definitely has a bright future ahead of him. First place went to the current champion, Dermot Galea, who stopped the clock at 59.01.

Maybe success has something to do with the surname... you don't have to be a Galea to be a triathlete, but it helps, as evidenced by the top placings in yesterday's event.

The women's race was dominated by Maria Mifsud Bonnici who clocked 1:07.47. Marylynn Bezzina was second in 1:11.56 with Tara Baldacchino finishing third in 1:20.18.

The event, which for the past four years has been called the Triathlon de la Bastille because of its timing close to the Bastille Day - celebrated on July 14 - was sponsored by Powerade and Kristal Water. The Police and St John Ambulance supervised the safety aspects of the race.