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22 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2015 Sport TRIATHLON 22 Sport Triathlon…. the birth of MARIA VELLA-GALEA ONE of the most interesting sports phenomena of the past few years has been the growth of triathlon, with race participa- tion growing substantially year on year. The 2012 Olympics were con- sidered catalyst for the huge growth surge in the sport's pop- ularity. This, and the drive the Malta Triathlon Federation ex- ecutive committee and council have put in, has resulted in strong growth patterns for the sport in Malta. This can be attested from the activity that took place over the years, which grew from the occasional few to over 100 ath- letes of all capabilities racing in the past season. With the 2015 Triathlon Racing season well and truly over, here are a few of the highlights from one of the local sports busiest scenes. The Local Scene With no less than 14 Malta Triathlon Federation sanctioned races, ranging from sprint triath- lons to longer distance triathlons to duathlons (run-bike-run) and aquathlons (run-swim-run) cov- ering the whole spectrum of mul- tisport events, Maltese athletes are spoilt for choice. Affiliated Clubs, which currently stand at five contribute to this choice. Whilst competition was strong there were no major upsets or surprises in the Maltese cham- pionship races with Keith Galea claiming four out of the six Na- tional Titles – Standard Triath- lon, Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquathlon. The Females category, the titles were more evenly spread with Danica Bonel- lo Spiteri claiming three titles (Triathlon, Aquathlon and Cross Triathlon), Michelle Vella Wood claiming two (Duathlon, Sprint Triathlon) and Margaret Seguna claiming her first Long Distance title. Keith Galea and Hannah Pace were crowned Triathletes of the Year – the latter awards are based on success and consistency in racing – Galea having won 9 out of 10 races and Pace having a strong season marked with good consistent results. Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club Sprint Triathlon Series tops the leader board with the organi- zation of four sprint triathlon races held in Birzebbugia having had to move from the coast road due to works taking place there. The longest established races se- ries on the calendar, it has seen consistent growth throughout the years and last race of the se- ries doubles up as National Sprint Triathlon Championship. Re- cently formed Agones SFC have shown a particular penchant for off-road/cross triathlon racing and are the only club to offer draft legal racing. Mellieha AC and St. Patrick's AC organised a Duath- lon and Aquathlon respectively thus further complimenting the race portfolio. For the first time Malta hosted Xterra, the most recognised in- ternational cross triathlon chal- lenge, featuring top professionals, amateurs and beginners taking part in a tough off-road course. Maltese athletes claiming to spots were Danica Bonello Spiteri and Stefania Magri. The Long Distance Triath- lon Championships, have been growing from strength to strength – often seen as test bed for triathletes wishing to compete in Ironman 70.3 and Ironman Races. 2015 saw inter- national participation increase. Held in Birzebbugia on a tricky course, 2015 saw a course record established by Slovenian triath- lete Jaroslav Kovacic. Maltese winners were Fabio Spiteri and Margaret Seguna who claimed her first championship title. The International Scene Malta has also produced some fine showings from athletes making names for themselves on the international scene. Triathlon Champion Keith Galea had notable performances in Sicily, amongst which wins in the Sicilian Regional Champion- ships as well as the Mazara del Vallo Triathlon. Maltese athletes achieved ex- cellent results in the women's events on the opening day of the European Triathlon Champion- ships (sprint distance) held in Ge- neva in June, with Danica Bonello Spiteri and Hannah Pace clinch- ing Gold and Bronze in their respective age groups. Current National Triathlon, Aquathlon and Cross Triathlon Champion Danica Bonello Spiteri partici- pated in the Elite Category of the World Cross Triathlon Champi- onships in Sardegna as well as a respectable participation in the European Games in Baku, Az- Triathlon Distances Category Swim Cycle Run Sprint 750m 20km 5km Standard 1500m 40kms 10kms Ironman 70.3/Middle Distance 1.9km 90kms 21kms Ironman / Long Distance 3.8km 180kms 42kms Michelle Vella Wood Ironman 70.3 Gdynia MOTORSPORTS Jason Magro wins ASMK Demolition Derby 2015 ON Sunday 20 December 'Assoc- jazzjoni Sport Muturi u Karozzi' organised the pre-Christmas spe- cial program aimed to raise funds for charity. This day has now been well fitted in the ASMK Calendar so much so that this is the 22nd edition of this special event. On a day dominated by bad weather the ASMK Management did not give up and organised this important event with the participation of 55 competitors. The event started at 10:30am when Autocross competitors chal- lenged the elements and raced their competition cars in difficult con- ditions while making racing more spectacular on the natural wet track conditions. This race saw the return of former Autocross cham- pion Patrick Cassar on an Opel Corsa. Despite the slippery road conditions Patrick still dominated the day by winning all the quali- fying Heats. Along with Patrick, Josef Grech on his Ford Fiesta also finished the Heats of the day with the highest score thus guarantee- ing their place in the final of Class A. Malcolm Borg also qualified for this Race Final on his Opel Corsa together with Jurgen Mallia on a Honda Civic, Ivan Birmingham on a Suzuki Swift and Mark Christian Galea on a Fiat Ritmo. Class B finalists were Ryan Sciclu- na on a Ford Fiesta, Joseph Micallef on an Opel Corsa, the Peugeot 205 of Gordon Johnson, Matthew Borg on an Opel Nova, Christian Apap and Karl Micallef both on a Ford Fiesta. The Standard Autocross Class finalists were Ian Fenech on a Cit- roen AX, Traydon Bailey on Ford Ka, Karl Scicluna on a Pegueot 206, Melvin Buttigieg on a Citroen AX and Johann Vella on an Opel Cor- sa. From the Motocross section we saw a strong participation. Mean- while, Edward Ciantar on a Kawa- saki and Clayton Camilleri on his KTM dominate this class and fin- ished in the top two places. Third place was won by French Pierre Jourdan on a KTM while Kyle Camilleri finished fourth also on a KTM. Class B of the Motocross saw a great participation from the Gozo Motocross Association riders. This class was dominated by Etienne Bigeni on his Honda by winning both heats. He was followed by Mario Cauchi on a Honda and third place was won by Robert Spiteri on a Yamaha. Fourth in class goes to Joseph Bigeni on a Kawasaki. The Motocross Open Class was won by Edward Ciantar on his Ka- wasaki followed by Etienne Bigeni and Mario Cauchi both on a Honda motorcycles. The Program was forced to a halt as heavy rain poured during early afternoon. This left the Autocross section finals to be postponed to another date. Meanwhile the Asso- ciation waited up to 3: 30pm to start the Demolition Derby as scheduled. Eight cars registered for this year's edition of this game. The competi- tors were Larkin Butler on a Volvo, Sean Magro on a Datsun Bluebird, Jason Magro on a BMW, Mario Cassar on a Nissan Sunny, Frank Butler on a Mazda 626, Marlon Caruana on a Maraia Fiat, the Lada of Leo Butler and Clint Farrugia on another Volvo. Under pouring rain the hundreds of spectators present watched care- fully the cars performing their 2 laps of pre-race on track. At the Start signal at 3.30pm the drivers started bumping each other with special technique on the very slip- pery track surface. The cars offered a spectacle and sliding in all direc- tions when hit by an opponent as they all raced to win the Demolition title right before sending their vehi- cle to the scrap heap. At one point the BMW of Magro seemed to be superior to the rest and together with the beautiful sound of the six cylinder engine he was signalled and declared as the Winner of the 2015 Demolition Derby edition. Larkin Butler was declared as the Runner- up. Both were presented with very special trophies for this special oc- casion. It was a spectacular display bless by rain showers too. During this event Chris Agius MP Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport as well as the Spokesperson of the Opposition for Sport Hon. David Agius MP also attended this special meeting. During their lim- ited time present during this event both closely followed the operation of the Association during races. They thanked the ASMK commit- tee and congratulated the members for their dedication of organising such great events on voluntary ba- sis and thanked them too for their great work and success in mot- orsport arena organisation. Both Honorary MP's were presented with commemoration presents for the occasion by ASMK President and Secretary General. Meanwhile the Association will inform all interested with the date and time schedule for Autocross Fi- nals and the Special Autocross Fun Rides at the ASMK premises at Ta Qali. The Administration with ta take this opportunity to thank all who supported this special event and wish all a very Happy Christ- mas and a prosperous New Year. More information is available at the website of the Association - www.asmk.org.mt and Facebook:- ASMK Malta. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIO MICALLEF