02/04/2026
Getting up Tuesday morning at 4:30 a.m., outside it's dark, windy, and the chances of rain are high. Before heading to Salina Beach, I quickly looked for a parking spot to avoid getting a ticket for illegal parking—about 30 minutes before start time. The water temperature in Malta was around 15-16°C; the wetsuit covered everything important, but my face and head immediately registered cold pain. After nearly 13 minutes in the water, in the front pack of the top 10 athletes, the transition to the bike went smoothly and quickly—just getting my feet into the bike shoes took a few minutes, as my fingers were numb from wind and water.
The headwind on the way back, combined with uphill sections, was really intense—there's no better way to simulate this in training. But from the third lap, I found my rhythm because, in a sprint distance triathlon, there's only one rule: go all out! Thanks to my mentor Keith Galea, who has been supporting me for two years with running technique and performance, the transition to running was very smooth and effortless.
The 20 km bike course was a tough battle—10 km against wind and elevation, which was noticeable in the last 2 km of the run. That's what makes a simple triathlon on a day like this: pushing your body and mind beyond your limits, no matter how hard and painful it gets. That’s when your true self shows up.
In triathlon, there are no shortcuts—full throttle or nothing. Those who finish successfully carry a smile and a sense of self-worth. Later, I heard about Liam Daly from Gozo, who was injured in a bike crash—I hope it's not too serious and wish him a quick recovery!
Respect to all competitors finishing under these conditions—you are amazing! 💪🏅
