Malta won silver in the Men's team event in the Triathlon Championships of the Small States of Europe (TCSSE) which were held yesterday afternoon in Luxembourg. Malta's team, consisting of Mark Zammit, Michael Gellel, Gordon Camenzuli and David Galea finished ahead of the teams from Monaco, Cyprus and Liechtenstein but behind Luxembourg.

The race, which consisted of: Swim: 1,500m; Cycle: 40km; Run: 10km, was characterised by rain which started as a drizzle but which increased as the event progressed, obliging the athletes to slow down rather than risk injury in the unfamiliar wet conditions.

Malta's best athlete, Mark Zammit, finished first Junior and 7th overall in a time of 2hrs.07m.03s. He was followed by Michael Gellel in 9th position in a time of 2hrs.11m.33s, Gordon Camenzuli, 11th in 2hrs.12m.35s and David Galea, 12th in 2hrs.13m.07s. Malta's only female athlete, Marylynn Bezzina, finished 4th in a disappointing time of 2hrs.41m.56s, well below her personal best.

Luxembourg took full advantage of their home advantage to claim all three podium places in both the men's and women's categories. The men's race was won by Dirk Bockel in a world class time of 1hr.54m.40s.

In second place was the winner of the TCSSE for the past three years, Tom Carier, while third was Laurent Baraquin.

In the women's race, Elizabeth May, as expected, won ahead of her two compatriots Jackie Komes and Gaby Andres. The first six in the men's event were all from Luxembourg, which in turn spells out the consolation point for Malta: that Mark Zammit managed to beat all the best from Monaco, Liechtenstein and Cyprus.