Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/585015
22 maltatoday, TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 2015 Sport TRIATHLON RUGBY IN the last week of build-up to the 30th Edition if the Malta Na- tional Triathlon Championships, it was becoming increasingly certain that there were going to be three protagonists at the race. Keith Galea, vying to claim his 5th National Triathlon title, Danica Bonello Spiteri focused to gain her 13th National Triath- lon crown, and the Force 6 North West wind which decided to bat- ter the island the weekend of the most eagerly-awaited multisport race of the season! The race organisers in fact had to restore to some serious lateral, fast thinking processes in order to curtail the swim segment of the race due to the violent waves and strong winds hitting the race venue, and a last minute decision was taken to safeguard the safety of all almost 100-strong field of athletes. Standard-Distance : National Championships Wind or not, there was no though nothing that could stop Bonello Spiteri and Galea from claiming the honours in the Standard (Olympic Distance) Triathlon. Galea was the first athlete out of the choppy waters at L-Għadira tal-Bir bay, with Hannah Pace and Graham Borg following suit. Bonello Spiteri was hot on their heels. In the bike segment, Graham Borg managed to come close to Galea and they practically en- tered Transition 2 right together. However a faster transition and his typical formidable run meant Keith Galea (B' Kara St. Joseph SC) ran unchallenged towards his grand slam of all multisport titles this season, with Borg claiming the second spot and Fabio Spiteri finding the cutting edge to obtain third place on the podium. In the female race, it was soon battle for supremacy between Bonello Spiteri and Pace on the road at l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa with these two athletes changing top spot. Danica Bonello Spiteri (St. Patrick's AC) was first into Tran- sition 2 and she continued un- challenged to become the most successful female Maltese tria- thlete ever, with Hannah Pace keeping her place on the second place of the podium as last year. Michelle Vella Wood rode and ran steady to complete the final female triathlon podium of the season. In the other categories of the Standard Distance, Neil Markham, arriving 4th overall, claimed the Under 23 category, while Kevin Muscat was top of the Over 40 class. In the Over 50, it was Suzanne Farrugia and Raymond Borg who took the honours, while Marian Belsten claimed the Over 60 category. Sprint Distance The Sprint-Distance Triathlon had a very health mix of Maltese and foreign triathletes, however it was the home athletes who topped the race. In the female race, it was Lara Buttigieg who raced what was probably the best race in her triathlon career to take first place, with Nina Zam- mit at second place. Third place overall went to Michelle Scott (GBR). Youngster Shaun Galea con- firmed his exceptional moment when he won the race ahead of much seasoned athletes. James Cuschieri confirmed all his po- tential and was second behind Galea, while Glen Zammit, who raced Ironman Barcelona the weekend before showed remarka- ble f lexibility by finishing third. The Age Categories of the Sprint Distance were bravely fought and finally won by Mattea Grech and Matthaeus Sciberras in the Under 23 field, Lucy Cut- ler (GBR) and Kelvin Goodwin in the Over 40 class, and Rob- erto Agostini (ITA) in the Over 50 group. A token memento was also awarded to 82-year old Malc Bennett (GBR). Trophies to all the winners were presented immediately after the race by Mr Julian Pace Bonello, President of Malta Olympic Committee, Mr Mark Cutajar, acting CEO of Sport Malta (Kun- sill Malti għall-iSport) and by Mr Mario Micallef, Director of Sport at the Maltese Olympic Commit- tee. Race Support The race was organised by the Malta Triathlon Federation and supported by Magri Cycles of Mosta, whose assistance made the race possible. The organisa- tion of the race relied heavily of the support of B'Kara St. Joseph Sport Club and Joseph F. Spiteri & Co. (1927) Ltd. The MTF is also highly appre- ciative for the support received from the Mellieħa Local Council, the Malta Police Force, Trans- port Malta, NM Arrigo Ltd., Perskindol Malta, VJ Salomone (Marketing) Ltd., J. Calleja Ca- terers & Wholesalers Ltd., King Shoe Shops, Ecco Shoes Malta, Go & Fun Green Energy Drink - Malta, the Farsons Group, and all the marshals, volunteers, and race personnel who battled the adverse weather conditions for some four full hours to ensure the best racing experience for all athletes. More information about the race and about Triathlon in Malta can be obtained from www.triathlonmalta.org Keith Galea and Danica Bonello Spiteri reign supreme at the Malta National Triathlon Championships 2015 Keith Galea Danica Bonello Spiteri RESULTS STANDARD 1st : Keith Galea & Danica Bonello Spiteri 2nd : Graham Borg and Hannah Pace 3rd : Fabio Spiteri & Michelle Vella Wood Under 23 : Neil Markham Over 40 : Kevin Muscat Over 50 : Raymond Borg & Su- zanne Farrugia Over 60 : Marian Belsten _____________ SPRINT 1st : Shaun Galea & Lara Buttigieg 2nd : James Cuschieri & Nina Zammit 3rd : Glen Zammit & Michelle Scott Under 23 : Matthaeus Sciberras & Mattea Grech Over 40 : Kelvin Goodwin & Lucy Cutler Over 50 : Roberto Agostini France coach Saint Andre calls for action after O'Brien punch FRANCE coach Philippe Saint Andre urged the Television Match Officials to do their job af- ter Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien allegedly punched lock Pascal Pape in their Pool D decider at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. Television footage showed O'Brien punch Pape in the stom- ach after a few seconds at the Millennium Stadium, but the Irishman escaped unpunished as his team romped to a 24-9 vic- tory. "It was an attack after 23 sec- onds I hope the TMO will do their job next time," Saint-Andre told a news conference on Mon- day. "Usually you go back to the footage. I have the feeling they did not do that this time." Ireland coach Joe Schmidt on Sunday said he was hopeful O'Brien would escape discipli- nary action. "I think he's being held and he swung. It's not a closed fist, but it's not a decision for me. I'd be hopeful," he said. France face holders New Zea- land in the quarter-finals on Sat- urday and Ireland take on Argen- tina the following day.