Danica Bonello-Spiteri on top of the world in Cross-Triathlon

The season started on a good note for Malta's most distinguished female triathlete ever, as she clinched the National Duathlon Championships in May in what was a show of pure talent, strength and class by  Bonello Spiteri. A handful of weeks after, She was on the second step of the podium of the European Triathlon Union's European Championships in Kitzbuhel, Austria, thus proving her form not only locally but also on a continental level.

But the best was yet to come for Danica, as she was selected to participate in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, after a 12-year absence of Triathlon Malta from the Games. Bonello Spiteri had a very positive performance which saw her placing 15th among some of the world's best triathletes.

The pure pleasure for racing did not dwindle after the Commonwealths and just three weeks after Glasgow, Danica was on the starting line of a new, unfamiliar setting : Cross Triathlon,a triathlon in different settings with off-road cycling and trail running. The venue was the hottest one possible - The World Cross-Triathlon Championships in Zittau, Germany, organised by the International Triathlon Union. This would prove to be a tough nut to crack for Danica, but she managed to start on a good foot by exiting 3rd from the water in a time of just over 22 minutes.

The cycling leg proved to be tough, technical and muddy with obstacle-walls of 40% gradiant, very muddy paths, gravel terrain and jagged rocks all thrown in a good dose. Not being so familiar with this type of terrain proved to be hard for Danica and her lack of experience in such races saw her dropping low on the standing list for the third and final segment of the race. However, even if the run proved to be really proving on the body and mind of the competitors, Danica displayed her true grit by overcoming 17 female athletes during the run, and finally clinching the World Cross-Triathlon Championships title in her age category.

Her exploit and success in such a hard and internationally recognised race got Danica many accolades, not only in Malta and in Leeds where she is currently based, but also from the international triathlon community. As a result, Bonello Spiteri was offered a highly-coveted slot to race in the Xterra® World Championships which is held annually in Maui, in Hawaii. This is considered to be the holy grail for the world's strongest cross-triathletes.

Bonello Spiteri's season didn't climax yet as she won every single multisport race organised locally during this year and also claiming the first-ever National Aquathlon Championships organised by the Malta Triathlon Federation some days ago. Her next target is that of re-claiming the National Triathlon Championships in October, and of having a once in a lifetime experience in Hawaii.