The Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming Challenge 2008 came to a successful end this morning, with thirty-three out of the thirty-six swimmers who started this race managing to finish what proved to be a grueling race across the channel. Angela Galea was the first swimmer to hit the finish buoy, while Simon Zammit trailed Galea to be the first male in.

The race started from the spectacular settings at il-Blata tal-Halfa in Qala, Gozo in calm and lucid waters. However, the wind was fast picking up and by the time the swimmers reached Comino and headed towards Malta, conditions changed drastically and dramatically. Heavy waves and strong currents sent the swimmers and their accompanying boats well off course, with skippers frantically trying to lead their athletes towards the finish at Marfa.

Similar to her performance in the four kilometres of the Open Water Swimming Series, Angela Galea took the lead from the start, and was opening a gap by every stroke. Her strong swimming, however, bore good results as she stayed relatively on course, to finish the race in 1 hour 35 minutes 13 seconds. Second female to finish was young Bettina Chircop in 2 hours 20 minutes 15 seconds, followed by Isabelle Zarb in 2 hours 20 minutes 54 seconds.

Simon Zammit proved his long distance prowess by finishing first male in 1 hour 51 minutes 32 seconds. During the final part of the race, however second placed Andrew Fleri Soler was reducing the gap on Zammit and managed to finish in 1 hour 55 minutes 29 seconds. Third male was Andre’ Scicluna in 2 hours 3 minutes 8 seconds.

Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club would like to thank the race sponsors, the Maritime Squadrons of the Armed Forces of Malta and the Police for their support during the race, and the Malta Maritime Authority for their co-operation. Paramedics from the Gozo Section of the Red Cross were in attendance on their boat. Mr Bertie Muscat was chief judge.