Shaun Galea, Margaret Seguna take top billing in the third race
There was no lack of action on the Salina Coast Road on Sunday morning when triathletes set out to battle it out for the top places in the third race of the four part Birkirkara St. Joseph Sprint Triathlon Series. In the end it was Shaun Galea and Margaret Seguna who delivered the strongest peformances to take top billing.
The 750m swim in crystal clear and calm waters saw Bernard Sant exit the water first in 10 minutes 39 seconds. Closing in behind were Nikol Micallef and Shaun Galea who exited the water together in 11 minutes six seconds. Galea’s fast transition saw him exit for the 20km cycle route which he completed in 32 minutes 19 seconds – the fourth fastest cycle split for the day. Galea went on to give a strong performance in the run to win the race in an overal time of 1 hour 3 minutes 37 seconds. The surprise of the day was Martin Jessup who, despite exiting sixth out of the water, climbed through the ranks to take second place, fifteen seconds behind Galea. Another surprise was Darrel Schembri who took his first podium when he crossed the finish line in third place in an hour seven minutes and twelve seconds.
Nicholas Micallef who returned to triathlon after a short hiatus registered the fastest bike split, whilst Jesrit Camilleri registered the fastest run split.
Margaret Seguna claimed her second podium of the Series with a comfortable win over second placed Lara Buttigieg and third placed Anjelika Ruggier. From the very start Seguna took the lead, despite only fourteen seconds separating her from Ruggier in the swim. Seguna went on to register a good performance on the bike ensuring her lead throughout to finish the race, comfortably, in 1 hour ten minutes and thirty seven seconds. The bike leg was to determine the second place which was taken by Lara Buttigieg who moved up on the leaderboard, six minutes after Seguna. Anjelika Ruggier, having dropped to fifth place in the cycle segment had to work hard for a third place but in doing so registered the fastest run amongst the female competitors. A notable overall performance was registered by the young Callie Hock who in her Sprint Triathlon debut, kept a third placing in the swim and bike segments, only to fall to fourth place in the run. Hock gave a composed performane throughout and is someone to watch in the future.
Medals to the top three Males and Females were presented by representatives of Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club and Garmin Malta, Maria Vella-Galea and Mark Gaglione respectively to the winners.
The Final Race of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Sprint Triathlon Series will take place on Sunday 23rd September. The Race will also serve as the National Sprint Triathlon Championships and will take place on the Salina Coast Road. Race will start at 08:00hrs.
Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club would like to thank the authorities involved, Transport Malta, the Malta Police Force, Naxxar Local Council as well as the medical team, volunteers and marshalls who contributed their efforts on the day.
For more information on the Club’s activities please visit http://bkarastjoseph.com/