The wet and slippery conditions during the Dutch Long Distance Triathlon at Almere last Saturday had their toll on Birkirkara St. Joseph’s Nicky Farrugia, who experienced a nasty crash at the beginning of the 180 km cycling segment of the race.

Four hundred and eighty four triathletes started the grueling triathlon consisting of a 3.8 Km swim, a 180 Km cycle and a 42 Km run. Forty three athletes did not finish the race. Farrugia finished in the 193rd place in 11 hours, 6 minutes 31 seconds. He covered the swim in one hour 5 minutes 51 seconds, cycled for 5 hours 29 minutes and 37 seconds and ran the ensuing marathon in 4 hours 25 minutes 18 seconds. His transitions took up the rest of the time.

Besides crashing at the early part of the cycle, he also experienced a puncture. In the fall Farrugia hurt his lower back and after undergoing medical treatment he continued the race notwithstanding the injuries he sustained.

The race was won by Belgian Gerrit Schellens in 8 hours 11 minutes 52 seconds. The swim took him 53 minutes 26 seconds, the cycle 4 hours 38 minutes 57 seconds and he ran the marathon in 2 hours 37 minutes 10 seconds.