Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/659044
22 OVER 180 endurance triathletes will be tackling challenging off- road terrain during the second edition of Xterra Malta Triathlon which will be held in Golden Bay, this Sunday 3rd April. Xterra is an international se- ries that includes races around the globe, and consists of an off- road triathlon, starting at 9.30am. Competitors will be undertak- ing a 1.5km swim in Golden Bay, a mountain bike course of 30km around Majjistral and Mizieb, and an-11km run around the Ġnejna plateau. The focus of the event is to en- courage sports in nature, com- bining discipline, self-discovery and competition in an environ- ment that is both beautiful and demanding. The race in Malta has attracted over 24 elite profession- als and 160 age-groupers from 20 countries. Professional athletes will take part to compete for the $7,500 pro prize purse while the top amateurs will win their entry into the covet- ed World Xterra Championships, held every year in Hawaii. This year will see the return of female 2015 edition winner Hun- garian Brigitta Poor, as well as three of the top five placed males from last year's edition. The Malta race will also be welcoming up- coming athlete Karl Shaw who just won Xterra Costa Rica, beating the world champion of 2015 and who is showing a lot of promise in the field. He will certainly give Span- iard Roger Serrano some tough competition! Local participation has also in- creased, with some new faces as well as returning athletes such as Maltese Triathlon Champion Danica Bonello Spiteri will be competing in the Pro category. "We are very pleased with the growth that this race has regis- tered, especially from an interna- tional perspective. We will be wel- coming over twenty nationalities and some top world class athletes, showcasing our beautiful island in the true Xterra spirit of 'Live More'. " commented Nathan Farrugia, Race Co-Founder. "We believe that Xterra Malta is an excellent opportunity for athletes to enjoy a course which has been laid out on the most beautiful nature reserve on the island, and giving them a platform to challenge themselves and find their true strength". The starting list will see athletes travelling to Malta from Aus- tria, Argentina, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxem- bourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia and United King- dom. This year the Race will also be welcoming a group of German, amateur, athletes who will be fol- lowed by a TV crew filming them throughout the challenge for the popular "Real Men" programme. The show, aired on VOX, has over 1.5 million viewers. Strong ties with the Italian and French triath- lon movement is also helping the growth of this event, with signifi- cant numbers from these coun- tries travelling to Malta this year. Malta Tourism Authority CEO Mr. Paul Bugeja stated that: "The Malta Tourism Authority is ex- tremely satisfied with events such as Xterra Malta. Although it has only been introduced recently, this event has already gained an excel- lent reputation amongst multi- sport race enthusiasts. The fact that it is held at the start of the season, when most of Northern Europe is still engulfed in inclem- ent weather, is an added bonus for both athletes and spectators. Events like Xterra are also very much in line with MTA's ongoing efforts to promote the Maltese Is- lands as an all-year-round destina- tion offering all types of activities appealing to a wide range of inter- ests." Xterra Malta is grateful for the support of the Malta Tourism Authority, The Golden Sands Radisson Blue Resort, Eurosport, Casapinta Events and Cisk Excel, the Malta Police Force, G4S, Malta Red Cross, KD Travel, The Cyclist, SignIt, JPGatt Photography, em- vigee pr & marketing, volunteers and athletes who are contributing to the event's success. Xterra Malta Triathlon will start at 9:30am on Sunday 3rd April in Golden Bay, with the first finisher expected at 11:30am. All athletes will have till 14:30hrs to cross the finish line. A Prize Giving Cer- emony will take place on the Gold- en Sands Radisson Blu Terrace at 16:00hrs in the presence of ath- letes, officials, volunteers, guests and media. About Xterra XTERRA is a global brand of sporting challenges that is creat- ing a 100,000 'tribe' of followers that race this particular type of challenge around the world every year. Xterra Malta, founded by Na- than Farrugia and Antonello Gau- ci is returning to our island for the second year and will be seeing a number of returning professional athletes. XTERRA MALTA will be held on Sunday 3rd April at the Golden Bay Radisson Blu Resort, and aim to attract hundreds of sports and nature enthusiasts from around the world to challenge themselves against the elements in the beauty of Malta's nature reserves. It is a great opportunity for Mal- tese athletes to compete on an international level without leav- ing our coast and an excellent way to play host as well as gain from home turf advantage. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2016 Sport TRIATHLON FOOTBALL Xterra Malta Off Road Triathlon returns this Sunday Jhonnattan (Valletta FC) makes it two in a row BOV Player of the Month – March 2016 JHONNATTAN Benites de Concei- cao's fine form continued in March when he was selected as the BOV Player of the Month for the second month in a row. This is the Brazilian striker's seventh individual award, making him the player who won this award the most. Closing in on their 23rd title, Val- letta consolidated their top posi- tion in the BOV Premier League with four wins during March where Jhonnattan scored in three of the matches to take his season tally to seven. Jhonnattann was the star of the show for Valletta against Sliema where he rounded his fine per- formance with a brilliant goal at a time when Sliema Wanderers were increasing their efforts in search of an equaliser. Jhonnattann doubled Valletta's lead with a brilliant lob after a fine individual move on 64 minutes. Jhonnattan also produced a gem of an opener on the 14th minute against Pembroke, where, receiving a brilliant pass from left- back Ian Azzopardi, he burst past two defenders and drove the ball into the top corner. One of the fastest goals this season also bears his signature. Receiving a pass from Nafti in Valletta's match against Mosta, he burst into the area and hit past goalkeeper Yenz Cini after just 19 seconds. Charles Grech Soler, Manager of Bank of Valletta's Republic Streeet Valletta Branch presented the BOV Player of the Month trophy for March 2016 to Jhonnattan. The Brazilian striker chose Puttinu Cares to benefit from the donation associated with this award. Charles Grech Soler, Manager of Bank of Valletta's Republic Streeet Valletta Branch presented the BOV Player of the Month trophy for March 2016 to Jhonnattan Jubilation at the finish of Xterra Malta