The PowerBar Open Water Swimming Championships, organised by Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club, under the auspices of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, kicked off with two new winners for these championships, Edward Caruana Dingli in the males’ race, and Olympic synchronised swimmer Harada Saho of Japan in the females’ race.

Ninety-five swimmers opened the series in a spectacular human wave in the crystal clear waters of St Paul’s Bay to start the two-kilometre race.

Caruana Dingli, Jordan Calleja and Thomas Wareing opened a gap up front on the chasing trio made up of Simon Zammit, reigning champion Roberto Demicoli and young Kyle Buhagiar, the latter also making his debut in these championships.

Caruana Dingli however, proved to be too strong for his opponents, winning the race comfortably in 26 minutes, 18 seconds. Calleja finished second, one minute 11 seconds later, and Wareing finished third in 30 minutes 16 seconds.

The females’ race turned into a direct encounter between Harada and Charis Ceccarelli. Both swimmers went round three 500-metre laps very close to each other, until the fourth and final lap, when Harada started to consolidate her lead, with no reaction coming from Ceccarelli.

The Japanese Olympian won the race in 30 minutes 17 seconds, against Ceccarelli’s 30 minutes 24 seconds. Hannah Pace finished third in 31 minutes 34 seconds.

The second race in these championships will be held on Wednesday 20 June starting at 6.30pm.

The Birkirkara St. Joseph Swimming Board remind those swimmers who are planning to take part in the annual Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming competition, that these championships are also valid for qualification in the channel swim.