Galea and Vella Wood crowned National Sprint Triathlon Champions

As was expected Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club triathlete Keith Galea was first out of the water, followed closely by Pembroke Athleta's Hannah Pace. Galea's fellow Club mates Graham Borg and Shaun Galea, the latter fresh from his Cross Triathlon National Championships victory, were next. Mellieha AC's Margaret Seguna was second female out from the 750m swim. Michelle Vella Wood was the third female to enter into transition twelve minutes after the swim.
 
The 20km cycle leg saw some shifts in positions with gaps narrowing in both the male and female categories.

As has been the case in the previous Sprint Triathlon races held in this course, Birkirkara's Graham Borg, registered the fastest time on the hilly course, covering the distance in thirty one minutes and twenty seconds. Galea hot on Borg's heels, managed a super fast transition to exit into the run segment two seconds faster than Borg.  Showing his strength and determination, Galea built up a steady tempo in the 5k run to widen the gap between him and Borg, enabling him to finish the race, and be crowned Sprint Triathlon Champion, in a time of 1 hour 1 minute 9 seconds. Borg completed the course in 1 hour 2 minutes and 58 seconds to clinch second place on the podium. Although third place on the podium seemed reserved for veteran triathlete Fabio Spiteri (Agones SFC), a decisive and determined sprint in the last few metres before the finish line saw Birkirkara's Under 17 triathlete Shaun Galea pip Spiteri to the last available place on the podium, making it an all Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club podium.

In the Female's race, Birkirkara St. Joseph's Michelle Vella Wood reserved the largest surprise of the day. Although finishing off the 750m swim, approximately one minute and fifteen seconds behind favourite title contender Hannah Pace, Vella Wood gave a very determined and skilful performance in the cycling segment where she narrowed the gap between her and Pace. Vella Wood entered into the second transition to head for the run ahead of Pace. From then it was clear for whom the first two places on the podium were going to be reserved for. This spurred on Vella Wood further, for her to clinch the title of Female Sprint Triathlon Champion in a time of 1 hour  8 minutes 45 seconds. Pace completed the course in 1 hour ten minutes, followed by Margaret Seguna who completed the podium in third place.

(L-R) - 2nd Place - Graham Borg, 1st Place - Keith Galea, 3rd Place - Shaun Galea Photo Courtesy - Malta Triathlon Federation

The battle between Vella Wood and Pace was an interesting one, as both athletes have been focusing on longer distance triathlon. Pace was the first Maltese female to qualify for the 2016 Ironman 70.3  World Championships whilst Vella Wood is the first Maltese female to compete in the Pro category in Ironman 70.3 and Ironman races.
 
The Race also saw seven relay teams take part. The first team to complete the course was made up of Luke Camilleri Cuschieri (Swim), Pierre Borg (Cycle) and Matthew Rota (Run).

The presentation of Trophies and medals to the winners of the race and various Age Group Categories took place immediately after the race in the presence of the Hon. Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport and the President of the Malta Triathlon Federation, Cyprian Dalli.
 
Overall Results
 
Males
1st - Keith Galea (Birkirkara St. Joseph)
2nd  - Graham Borg (Birkirkara St. Joseph)
3rd - Shaun Galea (Birkirkara St. Joseph)
 
Females
1st - Michelle Vella Wood (Birkirkara St. Joseph)
2nd - Hannah Pace (Pembroke Athleta)
3rd - Margaret Seguna (Mellieha AC)
 
Age Group Winners - Males
1st Under 23 - Neil Markham
1st Over 40 - Fabio Spiteri (Agones SFC)
1st Over 50 - Jude Zammit  (Agones SFC)
 
Age Group Winners - Females
 
1st Under 23 - Nina Zammit
1st Over 50 - Suzanne Farrugia (Birkirkara st. Joseph)
 
The National Sprint Triathlon Championships also formed part of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club Sprint Triathlon Series, the last race of which will take place on Sunday 27th September in Birzebbugia at 08:00hrs.
 
More information on the Series can be found on www.bkarastjoseph.com.