On Sunday 26th July, members of the Malta Triathlon Federation, Jude Zammit (Agones SFC) and Mario Muscat (St. Patrick’s AC) took part in the AronaMen Triathlon. The middle distance international triathlon (covering a total of 112.9 km) event was held in the evocative Lago Maggiore region, Italy. The race was part of the Italian national ranking championship and saw the participation of their top athletes including their current favourites Massimo Cigana and Martina Dogana. Many other countries were represented namely from Germany, Russia, the US, Netherlands and the UK.

Endurances races are always full of unpredictable situations that make them even more challenging  other than just trying to cover the distance. This race was not without its share of complications.  Owing to strong winds and very strong currents the race judges made the use of the wetsuits  obligatory despite the high water temperature.  The heat also dominated the run section with  temperatures over 32 C which was a problem to most participants who unlike the Maltese are not used to running in such conditions. The bike section included a fast start of 35km with the remaining 65km over very hilly and technical terrain with the most noticeable a stretch of 4.5km steep climb averaging 8.5 % gradient. 

Muscat has shown his current good form and consistent improvement. He had a very strong bike segment and bettered his time from his other previous middle distance triathlons he took part earlier this year in Malta and Sicily to a total finishing time of 4hr 36m. Zammit also made a very 

good time finishing at 4:54 and placing 9th in his age category (over 50). This compliments his achievements in his category this year having already placed 2nd in Sicily in April and 1st in Malta in May both middle distance championships. 

Both Muscat and Zammit are preparing for Ironman Barcelona in October. This race was part of their training programme selected by their coach veteran athlete David Galea.

A very positive day for the Malta Triathlon Federation as the three females triathletes obtained exceptional results at the European Triathlon Championships (Sprint Distance) that kicked off today in Geneva.

Danica Bonello Spiteri managed to complete her own personal podium of continental medals after she got Bornze in Israel in 2012 and silver in Austria just 12 months ago. She put in a great performance and today claimed the topmost place on the podium by winning her category in the females 30-34 years. Bonello Spiteri completed her swim of 750 metres in 12 minutes and 36 seconds, in third place, just behind fellow Maltese triathlete Seguna. Bonello Spiteri had a blistering transition and was in the lead just after the first handful of kilometres on the bike course. She managed to hold tight to the lead both in the cycling and running legs to finish in a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 7 seconds. Seguna, who finished the swim in second place lost some places during the cycle but managed to fight back and grabbed 4 place at 2 minutes and a half minutes after Bonello Spiteri.

In the 20-24 female category, Hannah Pace had some strong work to do in the central part of the race after exiting 7th from the swim. however, as from the first part of the cycling leg, she fought back and was in 4th place at the end of the 20KM cycle. She continued her climbing up the classification as she obtained thrid place in the first part of the run and managed to claim the bronze medal in a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes and 8 seconds. This is the second European medal for Pace after her Gold in Turkey in 2013.

The attention will now shift to Sunday morning as 3 Maltese Triathletes will be in action again, this time in the Standard (Olympic) Distance, which will see the athletes swim 1500 metres, undertake 2 laps around the Leman Lake quays and finishing it off by a 10KM run. The Maltese Team will consist of Fabio Spiteri in the mens 40-44 category, Graham Borg in the 30-34 category, while Hannah Pace will be in action againg in the female 20-24 section.  

The whole team in Geneva is support by the Malta Triathlon Federation through the presence of President Cyprian Dalli and with the help of the Maltese Olympic Committee and the European Triathlon Federation.

For the video of the finish, please visit our facebook page 
https://www.facebook.com/MaltaTriathlonFederation/videos/vb.251677878199639/1005098092857610/?&theater

Top Maltese triathletes Fabio Spiteri, Graham Borg, Danica Bonello Spiteri , Hannah Pace and Margaret Seguna will be on the start line among the best in the continental field. Spiteri, Borg will be taking part in the Standard Distance on Sunday (1500m swim, 40KM bike and 10KM run) while Bonello Spiteri and Seguna will be competing in the Sprint Distance Triathlon on Friday (750m swim, 20KM bike and 5KM run). Hannah Pace will be taking both challenges.

This is not the first representation of Triathlon Malta at these championships. In the past years, the Maltese Triathletes always rose up to the occasion and scored some remarkable results. In 2012, Keith Galea won Gold and Danica Bonello Spiteri claimed Bronze at the European Championships in Eiliat, Israel. The following year In Alanya Turkey, Hannah Pace scored First place and Keith Galea won third spot. Last year, it was Danica Bonello Spiteri's turn again to go on the podium with her second place.

The Geneva race will be seeing athletes from all over Europe swimming in the beautiful surrounding of the Lake Leman, cycling on the quays and around the United Nations Palace and finishing on the promenade near the water-jet landmark.

Accompanying the contingent will be Malta Triathlon Federation's President Cyprian Dalli, who will be also attending the European Triathlon Union's Annual General Assembly held in conjunction with the Championships.

'Triathlon Malta is proud to send five of its most representative athletes at this highest Triathlon scene in Europe. We are confident that our athletes are well-prepared and trained to reap encouraging results in Geneva. We are grateful to the Maltese Olympic Committee and the European Triathlon Union who support make this expedition a reality' stated Dalli.

Apart from the ETU Assembly, Dalli will be holding meeting with the ETU Development Board to sustain and nurture the Malta Youth Triathlon Academy-MYTA and to explore other possibilities of improvement for the younger generation of triathletes on the island.

The Triathlon Malta team will be using for the first the new track suits and luggage provided by Adidas and racing in the brand new Kiwami trisuits. Both Adidas and Kiwami are represented in Malta by Eurosport, who have just sealed a support deal with the Malta Triathlon Federation.

More info about Triathlon Malta can be obtained by visiting its website www.triathlonmalta.org.