The annual Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming Channel, organised by Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club, under the auspices of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, was held on Saturday morning, with 48 swimmers setting off from Ras il-Qala in Gozo towards Marfa in Malta for a distance of 5.5 kilometres.

The channel, closed for maritime traffic by the Armed Forces of Malta, the Civil Protection Department and the Police, was dotted with accompanying boats, as the swimmers took on the strong undercurrents prevailing, especially in the stretch between Comino and Malta.

Following her victory in the club’s recently held 4-kilometre race, Davina Mangion clocked one hour 35 minutes to be the first swimmer in at Marfa, followed by David Zammit who finished in one hour 35 minutes 19 seconds.

Both swimmers opened a huge gap on the rest of the field with Roberto Demicoli finishing the second male in one hour 52 minutes 4 seconds. Third male was Andrew Grech 20 seconds later. Second female finished Isabelle Zarb in one hour 58 minutes 38 seconds, and Monique Mangion finished third in one hour 59 minutes 36 seconds.

ASA President Dr Austin Sammut and Club President Ray Grech, congratulated the finishing swimmers for their outstanding performances.

Assisting Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club in this event were the Armed Forces of Malta, the Civil Protection Department, the Police, the Red Cross Gozo Branch, the St. James Hospital Ambulance and Paramedics, Vileda and the Riviera Barcelo’ Resort and Spa.

Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club teamed up with the Inspire Foundation (Eden Foundation and Razzett tal-Hbiberija) to collect funds by the participating swimmers.