Strong finish propels Galea to victory

David Galea and Maria Mifsud Bonnici emerged clear winners of the Salina Bay Triathlon organised by the Malta Triathlon Association earlier this month.

Malta team for Cyprus race on Sunday

The Olympic-distance triathlon (swim 1,500 m; cycle 40 km; run 10 km) was held at this time of the year to select those with the best potential to represent Malta in Sunday's Championships for European Small States in Cyprus.

The championships, which for the past four years were all held in Malta, are being contested by triathletes from Luxembourg, Monaco, Cyprus and Malta.

In Cyprus, Galea and Mifsud Bonnici will be joined by Danica Spiteri, Mark Zammit, Nicky Farrugia and Gordon Camenzuli.

A training camp for the national team, held last month with the assistance of the Malta Olympic Committee, clearly had its effect as most of the squad managed to perform close to their personal bests, despite it being so early in the season.

Newly-appointed coach Steve Trew, of the UK, expressed satisfaction for the results and augured that the national team's performance this week will be an excellent one.

Fifteen triathletes plunged into the cold but calm waters of Salina Bay and swam diagonally from the Fra Ben Tower to the Coastline Hotel.

It was Zammit who exited first in 17:26, followed three minutes later by Farrugia and Camenzuli. Galea was five minutes behind Zammit in seventh place.

Maria Mifsud Bonnici, coached by Andy Colbourn, had an excellent swim, coming out of the water in 20:45. She was followed six minutes later by Debbie Micallef Eynaud. Spiteri had problems with her wetsuit and had to retire.

In the cycle segment, Zammit, sponsored by Thomas Smith Insurance, managed to maintain his lead, coming into transition almost four minutes ahead of Galea, who had the fastest cycle time.

Farrugia was third as Mifsud Bonnici continued to consolidate her lead with one of her best times ever over the same route.

But it is the run segment that determines a winner in triathlon.

While Mifsud Bonnici had no problem to notch up another win, Zammit was clearly struggling to hang on to his position. His lead was quickly being eaten away by strong finisher Galea, the run being his favourite segment.

Eventually, Zammit (2:06.59) had to settle for second place behind Galea, who completed the triathlon in 2:01.30. Veteran Farrugia was third in 2:09.04 ahead of Michael Gellel (2:10.25).

Mifsud Bonnici's time was 2:16.51, one minute slower than the time she set last year at the nationals. Micallef Eynaud was second in 2:50.34.

The Salina Bay Triathlon was sponsored by the Plum Tree Restaurant, Kristal Water and Powerade. The Police and St John's Ambulance took care of the safety aspects of the race.