Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/492208
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 APRIL 2015 Sport 23 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Partly cloudy locally rather cloudy at first and in the evening VISIBILITY: Good WIND: North Northwest force 4 to 5 locally force 5 to 6 at first, becoming force 5 to 6 for some time during the day, decreasing to force 4 in the evening, SEA: Rough SWELL: Low Northwesterly becoming low Northerly SEA TEMP: 15 °C A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 16 º C / 8 º C UV INDEX: 6 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits ATHLETICS Across 1. Reposes (5) 6. Countryman (7) 8. Provide a substitute for (7) 9. Tavern (3) 10. Stout pole (4) 12. Domesticated (4) 15. And not (3) 16. Forsake (7) 18. Phantom (7) 19. Vends (5) Down 1. Stands for (10) 2. Jump lightly (4) 3. Talk (5) 4. Entrances (5) 5. Spittle (6) 7. Gentleness (10) 11. Concurs (6) 13. Containing fat (5) 14. Bundles (5) 17. Double (4) gxf7+ Kd8 f8=Q+ Be8 Qe7+ Kc8 Qc7# Consistent performances by Birkirkara St Joseph athlete Michelle Vella Wood FOLLOWING the decision and sub- sequent acceptance into the Iron- man pro ranks, the first months of 2015 have shown that local Birkirka- ra St. Joseph triathlete Michelle Vella Wood's training is paying off, with her posting consistent performances and podium finishes, in the competi- tions she has been focusing on. Last year's success, when Vella Wood's strong performance in Iron- man saw her not only achieve a place on the podium but also qualify as a Bronze Category All World Athlete, seems to be spilling onto this year's calendar of events which have seen Vella Wood compete in a number of cycling races. Her participation in the Agones SFC Criterium saw her fight a strong and tough race, fighting off podium contenders Hannah Pace and rela- tive newcomer Marion Pullicino to take first place. With a number of overseas races in the pipeline Vella Wood tackled the Gran Fondo di Scicli in nearby Sicily which saw a total distance of 126kms and 1400m of climbing. With an uphill start and fierce ac- tion taking place immediately, Vella Wood settled into a group of fifteen cyclists and earned third place in the process. As Vella Wood put it, the twisting ups and downs of the circuit made for good training for the up- coming hilly Ironman 70.3 Luxem- bourg in June. Back on the rock, Vella Wood took part, for the eighth time run- ning, in the Tour ta' Malta staged in what were four days of challenging, wet and windy weather. The adverse weather conditions also resulted in one of the legs being cancelled for safety reasons. An ever popular race in the cycling calendar, the athlete's pool in the Tour consisted of local and international seasoned athletes, one of which is on the British Olym- pic Talent squad while another was a former Pro Ironman athlete. Vella Wood was on the podium in all three stages ending with an overall third place in the general classification. Not resting on her laurels, Vella Wood also stormed to victory in the Mellieha AC Duathlon and the Malta Cycling Federation Individual Time Trial Championships both held over the Easter weekend. Vella Wood's sights are now firmly turned on four long distance races - the Garmin Malta Long Distance Triathlon Championships to be held in May and where she will be working towards retaining her Championship title, Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg in June, Ironman 70.3, Gdynia, Poland in August and finally Ironman Vichy France also in August. Vella Wood is sponsored by BMIT Ltd and Smart Light Systems and supported by Mochika Outdoor Life. Birkirkara St. Joseph Athlete Michelle Vella Wood awarded Bronze Medal in the recently held Tour Ta' Malta