Michelle Vella-Wood and Fabio Spiteri regained the title of National Duathlon Champions after a                       super-exciting race on the Zebbug By Pass in what has seen a record number of  participants in these Championships.

The Malta Triathlon Federation will be organising the National Duathlon Championships on Saturday 18th May on the Zebbug By Pass (Mdina Road).

The format of this year’s race will be in line with International and European Triathlon Union standards and will see athletes competing on a distance of a 10KM run, 40KM cycle and a final 5KM run. 

This race, which starts at 16:00, will also serve as a selection race for the National Triathlon Team for the forthcoming months. 

Slots will also be offered for the placing athletes to partecipate in the imminent European Championships to be held in Alanya, Turkey. 

As has been the case in past races, the Federation is expecting a very good turnout, also due to the fact that this race will carry double points in the 'Triathlete of the Year Award Scheme’, for a maximum of 200 points.

Whilst the growth in participation numbers is still registering a steady increase, the race will see a number of experienced athletes battling it out for the title. 

Current Champions Keith Galea and Danica Bonello Spiteri are expected to give a good fight as they battle it out against Fabio Spiteri, Rudolph Agius, Graham Borg and Michelle Vella Wood, Johanna Calleja, Hannah Pace and Donatelle Camilleri in their respective categories. 

In order to engage a wider spectrum of athletic capability and interest the Federation is also hosting a ‘Half Distance’ event as well as Relay Pursuit, where Relay teams, composed of two athletes, with a cyclist and a runner doing both running splits.

“The Federation is proud of its achievements in the field of multi-sport, notwithstanding the challenges we face in being a ‘small’ Federation we keep seeing a large growth in participation as well as an increase in the level of the athletic performance” said Cyprian Dalli, president of the Malta Triathlon Federation. 

“We want to keep encouraging all athletes, irrespective of their capabilities, to take part in our races and keep the motivation going, whilst at the same time focusing on our top athletes who have given very solid performances abroad, giving Malta a good name with our International counterparts”

Race Briefing will be held on Friday 10th May at the Malta Triathlon Federation offices at the KMS Tal-Qroqq National Pool. No Registrations will be accepted by the Federation after the 15th May.

The Race is being held with the assistance of Joseph F Spiteri & Co (1927) Ltd, Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club. 

The Zebbug By Pass (from SMW Cortis to Ta’Qali Roundabout) will be closed for traffic in both directions on Saturday 18th May from 4pm until 8:30pm. 

The general public is kindly asked to take note and avoid this road during the time indicated. 

Further information on the race can be obtained by contacting the Malta Triathlon Federation on 79037933 or via email on maltatriathlon@gmail.com.

Maria Vella-Galea

The projects of the Malta Triathlon Federation were featured in the Newsletter of the European Triathlon Union's newletter, which is being reproduced here-under.
___________________ 

The President of the Maltese Triathlon Federation, Cyprian Dalli, leads one of the smallest Federations in Europe but he is determined to build a better future for the sport in his country.

The size of the task facing the Maltese Triathlon Federation can be summarised by the breakthrough news of 2013 – that the Federation now has an office.

Dalli, who was elected to the role in December 2011, made a promise to find a working office and he said: “It wasn’t easy and it took almost 14 months of negotiations but now the Malta Triathlon Federation has its own office.”

Looking back on his first calendar year as President, Dalli said: “We have had a very positive year but it has been more of a challenge than I expected.”

Some of the challenges Dalli refers to include the island itself: “It’s not so much the facilities but Malta itself, the roads are terrible and the traffic,” he said.

“Also, the nature of the island is only 36km top to bottom so a big cycle ride doesn’t get you anywhere you just go round and round.”

Nevertheless the President has overseen an increase in the number of Triathlon clubs in Malta from 1 to 5, and they now have over 130 registered members.

Dalli says the Federation is starting to attract athletes from other sports, particularly the three disciplines of Triathlon, and encouraging athletes to test themselves.

But the key to the Maltese future is youth. “We need to attract new blood,” says Dalli. “We are in contact with the Olympic committee and sports council to try and put triathlon forward on the curriculum. Younger athletes give us a better future.”

Their commitment to youth is highlighted by the launch of a new Youth Triathlon Academy which will run for 11 weeks from July to September this year.

The academy will serve as an introductory programme designed to train children and teenagers in the fundamentals of Triathlon and prepare them for participation in triathlon events at a later stage.

The Federation are also looking to increase the number of races in their calendar and diversify the options to athletes, such as off-road cross triathlon and the hosting of the Maltese National Duathlon Championships in May.

All of these steps, no matter how small they may seem, represent real, tangible progress for Dalli and Triathlon in Malta, something that gives the President every right to be pleased with the progress.

He said: “We have to be realistic about our standards, our capabilities and our limitations – but we are improving and developing all the time.

“Short term we want to continue to increase participation, increase our race calendar and begin to compete in International races (the first two Maltese triathletes competed in Eilat in 2012). But the longer term goal is to have triathlon included on the National Curriculum and impress the Olympic Committee by achieving a place at the Commonwealth Games 2014.”

MALTA TRIATHLON FEDERATION

President: Cyprian Dalli, www.triathlonmalta.org

For more information on the Maltese National Duathlon Championships, click here

If you are interested in coaching at the Maltese Youth Academy, or for more information on the Federation, contact maltatriathlon@gmail.com

We are pleased to invite you to take part in the Malta National Duathlon Championships 2013, scheduled for Saturday 18 May with Start-time set for 4:00pm. Please visit the facebook page for the event by clicking HERE

This year we thought of upgrading the race to the ITU/ETU Standards and thus the Championships wil lbe held on the distance of a 10K run, 40K cycle and a final 5K run. We would like to point out that this race, being a National Championship, will carry double point in the 'Triathlete of the Year Award', for a maximum of 200 points.

Moreover, for those of you who do not feel like tackling the full distance, we will be hosting a 'Half-Distance' Event both for Individual and Relay Pursuit. Relay teams shall be composed of 2 athletes ( a runner doing both running splits and a cyclist).

Attached you can therefore find two Race Registration Forms : one for the Individual Pursuit (both full and half distance) and one for the Relay Teams (only half distance).

As you can see from the forms, the Registration Fees are hugely discounted for MTF Members. This is as a sign of recognition and gratitude for those athletes who are registered members with the Federation. Those who have not yet registered with the MTF are still in time to do so against the payment of EURO 15 for the whole 2013 season. 

You can also note that that the price for registration for the National Duathlon Championships will be increased after the 10 May up until 15 May. No applications will be accepted after this date. So please ensure that your Race Registration Form is received by the 15 of May.

To ease the registation process, we shall be holding a Registration Event on the 10 of May at the MTF Office at the National Pool Complex in Gzira. Registrations with the MTF will also be accepted on that day. This event will also hold an Extraordinary-General-Meeting which aims to update the Constitution of the MTF. Folllowing this, on the same date, a Race-Briefing Session in view of the National Duathlon Championdships will be held and then we wil lthrow in an easy-going Office-Warming Party to which everyone is invited! More info is to be found. Please feel free to join the facebook page by clicking HERE

Any queries or clarifications can be addressed here on this email address or by giving me a call on 99120275 or 79037933.

We will keep you posted regularly with more information on the race and its preparation. You should not worry... you'll be in good hands! Just two things you should focus on: make sure you register by returning your form and payment, and train hard and smart for a smashing race!

Regards, and be safe!

The Malta Triathlon Federation, with the support of the European Triathlon Union (ETU), will be launching a Youth Triathlon Academy which shall serve as an introductory programme designed to train youth and teenagers in the fundamentals of triathlon and prepare them for partecipation in triathlon events at  later stage. The sport of triathlon consists of swimming, cycling and running.

The programme will run from July to September 2013 for a total duration of 11 weeks (including a recess-week in August). The Malta Youth Triathlon Acedemy will be coordinated by Dermot Galea, Triathlon Malta’s National Coach.

For this reason, the Malta Triathlon Federation shall be receiving expression of interests from qualified coaches to be part of the coaching team for the Academy. Applicants should be in possession of at least one of the following qualifications to be eligible:

• B.Ed. (Hons.) Physical Education;
• Coaching qualification in Swimming, Cycling, or Running;
• A qualification in Triathlon Training;
• Diploma in Sports Coaching (accepted by the University of Malta)

Interested persons should send in their Curriculum Vitae together with supporting documentation and copies of qualifications to the Federation, in an envelope clearly marked with ‘Malta Youth Triathlon Academy’ to Malta Triathlon Federation, MTF Office, National Pool Complex, Triq Maria Teresa Spinelli, Gżira by the 25 of April 2013. Expressions shall be dealt with strict confidence. Applicants might be called in for an interview by the Evaluating Board.

Any further queries and clarifications can be addressed on maltatriathlon@gmail.com or on telephone lines 99120275 and 7903 7933.

It was a 'first' for more than one reason this Saturday on the wind-swept cliffs of Dingli.

It was the first multi-sport event on the island thus ushering in the 2013 Season, which promises to be the most hard-fought and exciting season in the history of Triathlon in Malta.

It was also the first ever multi-sport event organised by the newly-affiliated club of Mellieha A.C.

Overall it was a huge success topped with a very good turnout and an exciting race. The veterans of the sports racing it along the rookies was a truly impressive sight and an extra dash of excitement for partecipants, organisers and spectators alike.

The titles were clinched by Fabio Spiteri and Michelle Vella-Wood, with David Galea and Nathan Farrugia together with Hannah Pace and Danica Bonello-Spiteri completing the podiums.

This race serves as a taster and check for the Malta National Duathlon Championships which will be held on the 18 May.

One of the aims of the Malta Triathlon Federation is to assist its members and athletes not only on the racing grounds but also in whatever ways and manner possible in preparing yourself for the best performance possible.

For this reason, the Malta Triathlon Federation has teamed up with Adele Muscat, Malta's only Sport Psychologist, and is glad to invite all the members of the Federation for an Interactive SPORTS-PSYCHOLOGY Seminar entitled 'MIND the FINISH LINE'. This will be held on the 19 of March at 3pm, at the main hall in Mġarr Local Council (22, Triq Sir Harry Luke) and should take approximately 3 hours. A wheel-chair lift is available at the venue for all athletes with disabilities who would like to attend.

The Seminar will be offered free of charge to all the paid members of the MTF (registrations and payment for the 2013 membership can be done on the day). Others who might be interested can still attend upon payment of 10E.

This Seminar will be largely interactive, so you will not get bored for sure. There will be small group discussions, interactive activities and whats more, delivered in a fresh and cheerful manner typical of Adele. Adele is not new to this type of training, having 13 years experience in assisting athletes deliver their full potential by working close with them and helping them unlocking the power of their minds. She works with the Malta Olympic Committee and has vast experiences with foreign athletes as well.

The programme for the Seminar is as follows :

1)      Mental training – a necessary part of one’s training, will include information on the most used mental skills such as anxiety regulation, concentration skills such as positive self-talk, visualization, goal-setting techniques and pre-performance routines (1 hr)

2)      Concentration Worksheet (to be done individually and then discussed as a group (30 mins)

3)      Break (30 mins)

4)  Practical Exercises for Self-confidence and related areas

5) Anxiety Regulation Techniques Practical Session (20 mins)

6) Conclusion (10 Mins)

Registration for this seminar are to be received by return mail by Friday 15 March.

Triathlon Malta's President, Cyprian Dalli has recently partecipated in the European Traithlon Union's Presidents' Meeting, held in the Polish capital, Warsaw between 15 and 18 February.

The main reason for this meeting was the submission by Triathlon Malta of a Youth Development Project to the ETU. The Project was well-received by the screening technical commission set up to evaluate all the proposals received and is committed to help the Malta Triathlon Federation is establishing and executing this plan.
During the weekend, the President also partecipated in Extraordinary Congress whereby a new Constitution for the European Triathlon Union was proposed and discussed. A vote was taken and the new constitution was unanimously approved by the congress.

This weekend as the perfect opportunity for Triathlon Malta in sustaining its established contacts and well as building new networking opportunities with the European Federations present at these meetings.

The meetings well held in the splendid Olympic Palace in Warsaw,

Malta Triathlon Federation has recently submitted a formal application to become affiliated to the Mediterranean Triathlon Federation in a bid to increase cooperation between Triathlon Federations of the Mediterranean states. 

This co-operation aims to see more development opportunities for triathletes in re gion.

The President of the Malta Triathlon Federation Cyprian Dalli represented Malta at the recent Elective General Assembly in Athens. 

“It is indeed an honour for me and the Maltese Federation to be elected on the Executive Board” said Cyprian Dalli, president of the Malta Triathlon Federation. 

“Joining this Board will enable us to have a say and contribute ideas for the development of triathlon in the Mediterranean region, a region where the sport is registering strong growth numbers”

One of the major plans of the Mediterranean Triathlon Federation is to organize a bi-annual Mediterranean Triathlon Championships, which the local Federation believes will prove beneficial for Maltese triathletes to be part of. 

During a recently held annual general meeting, members of Malta Triathlon agreed that the national organisation will become known as the Malta Triathlon Federation.

The move brings Maltese triathlon in line with the majority of other federations across the continent and international triathlon unions.

“The Malta Triathlon Federation is the official national governing body for the multi-discipline sports, covering triathlon, duathlon and aquathlons,” explained Cyprian Dalli, president of the Malta Triathlon Federation.

“For some this may only look like a cosmetic change but it is not.

“In fact, the move keeps us in line with our vision to be pro-active and in closer contact with our fellow counterparts abroad.

“We believe that our future is bright and, as a federation, we shall continue to strive to ensure the best prospects possible for our athletes and the sport.”

Maltese triathlon has wrapped up another successful year which has seen participants in local and international races increase substantially.

National team performances were excellent, particularly Keith Galea and Danica Bonello Spiteri, while in long distance Michelle Vella Wood established a new record for Maltese women by clocking 10 hours and 53 minutes in Kalmar, Sweden, in summer.

Dermot Galea also broke the Maltese record for the IM 70.3 distance in his race at Antwerp, Belgium, as Team Malta also figured prominently in the triathlon championship for the small states of Europe which were staged in Luxem-bourg.

Meanwhile, the triathlon federation also welcomed with great satisfaction Nicky Farrugia’s induction into the Maltese Olympic Committee’s Hall of Fame last month.

Farrugia was honoured for his contribution to triathlon in Malta.