Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/519957
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 31 MAY 2015 55 Sport TRIATHLON WATER POLO Triathletes Graham Borg and Hannah Pace shine in Marzamemi A group of Maltese triathletes recently participated in the first edition of the Triathlon Sprint di Marzamemi, in Sic- ily. Falling under the Italian National Ranking System, the race consisted of a 750m swim, a 24km cycle and a 5km run. Despite unfavourable condi- tions, mostly the strong head winds encountered during the cycling section of the race, Birkirkara St. Joseph Triath- lete Graham Borg and Pem- broke Athleta Triathlete Han- nah Pace, showed determined strength to enable them both to cross the line in first place. The races took a similar shape for both triathletes, each exit- ing the water close to the front group of swimmers. The athletes lived up to their strong cycling abilities by managing to pull away from the group and create a lead- ing gap. Being his first win of the season, Borg was thrilled to maintain his lead in the run and claim first overall in a time of 1:04:23. Pace was also pleased with her victory, having just re- turned from an intensive train- ing camp in France in prepara- tion for her participation in the forthcoming European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. Borg and Pace's participation dominated the overall classifi- cation, however other Maltese triathletes were able to leave their mark within their age groups. Promising young tria- thletes Neil Markham (Under 24) and Nina Zammit (Under 20) claimed 1st and 2nd re- spectively in their age catego- ries. Good results were also ob- tained in the over 40s category with national team member Fabio Spiteri claiming 1st and Claudia Zammit placing 3rd. This experience was made possible thanks to some of the athlete's sponsors, name- ly Cfragrances.com, Garmin Malta, Mochika Outdoor Life, MZ Investments and Wheel Wizard. The athletes would also like to thank the Malta Olympic Committee and the Malta Triathlon Federation for their support. Birkirkara St. Joseph Triathlete Graham Borg (C), after winning fi rst place in Marzamemi. Photo courtesy: Gigi Ferrante Grahame Salt (R) shakes hands with Frank Testa with Darren Saliba (L) Frank Salt real Estate confirmed as official sponsors of Sliema ASC for the third year running FRANK Salt Real Estate have confirmed their sponsorship of Sliema ASC for the 2015 water polo season. Grahame Salt, director of the Frank Salt Real Estate Group, signed the sponsorship agree- ment with Dr Frank Testa, the Sliema ASC President in the presence of Dar- ren Saliba, Sliema ASC Secretary. President Frank Testa said he was very happy to see Frank Salt Real Estate committed to help Sliema ASC chal- lenge for Malta's top water polo hon- ours and he believes that the ongoing co-operation with Malta's leading Real Estate company will be mutually ben- eficial to both parties. He commented that a team such as Sliema always as- pires to be at the top of the game, and this year will be no different. "This is why the backing of a strong partner like Frank Salt Real Estate is crucial to fulfilling such aspirations." stated Dr Testa. "Besides the much needed fi- nancial support, this collaboration in- stills a sense of pride in the club given the excellence that distinguishes this company, a standard that has also been synonymous with the most decorated aquatic sport club in Malta." 'We are very proud to once again re- new our sponsorship of Sliema's senior water polo team. We enjoy the oppor- tunity to be able to give something back to the Sliema community and to be as- sociated with such a prestigious club having such a rich sporting history. We look forward to following the summer league and to seeing the club emerging with full honors! ' Grahame Salt added. Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate will this year be fielding two new foreign players. Michael Bodegas, 28 year old French National Team Captain and 23 year old Serbian International Nikola Dedovic are both new to the local wa- ter polo scene but both have had very good seasons, with Bodegas only los- ing out for the league Championship in Italy in the final with his team Brescia against Pro Recco, while Dedovic was Champions League Group A top scorer with last year's runners up Radnicki. This follows the recent addition of local player Kai Dowling, having captured the young talented player from San Gil- jan. Dowling signed a 6-year contract with his new club, and follows in the footsteps of his father Kurt, who had formed part of the succecssful Sliema sides in the late 90s.