Record entry for Open Sea Swim Series

The first two races from the men's 2005 Open Sea Swim Series, organised by Birkirkara St Joseph SC with the assistance of the Malta Triathlon Association, were both won by Neil Agius. Davina Mangion and Angela Galea won a race each in the women's category.

The two-kilometre long races started from the Bognor club, in Bugibba, and Sliema ASC.

A record number of 43 swimmers are taking part in the series, most of them undergoing preparations for the forthcoming Gozo-Malta Swim Challenge on July 23.

In the first race, Agius was home in 26 minutes 10 seconds ahead of triathlete Mark Zammit (26 minutes 50 seconds) and Andrew Xuereb (30 minutes 59 seconds).

Mangion was first in the women's category and second overall in 26 minutes 34 seconds in front of last year's series winner Tara Baldacchino (33 minutes 55 seconds).

Donna Calleja was third in 34 minutes 13 seconds.

Agius won the race at Sliema in 24 minutes 34 seconds. Kyle Scerri was second in 25 minutes 13 seconds and U-17 swimmer Adrian Buttigieg was third. He was seconds slower than Scerri.

The women's race was only decided on the finishing line with Galea sprinting ahead of Mangion.

Both were given a time of 26 minutes 28 seconds. Third was Dorisa Gaggi in 30 minutes 16 seconds.

The third event in the series will be today's four-kilometre long St Julian's/Sliema/St Julian's race. It starts at 5.30 p.m.

This race will be the last one before the Gozo-Malta Challenge, thus providing participants an ideal warm-up for the 'big one'.