PHILIPSBURG--Guadeloupe’s top triathlete Olivier Noglotte erased a painful memory of his 2017 disqualification with a triumphant return to win Sunday’s Boardwalk Triathlon in the Olympic Individual distance. He finished in 2:07:23, in a very competitive field.
Noglotte, a multiple winner of this event, experienced a hiccup in 2017 when he inadvertently completed three laps of the bike segment instead of the mandatory four. But he has never held a grudge against organiser Friendly Island Triathlon Association (FITA) and the Boardwalk Triathlon continues to be one of his favourite “friendly” events.
Noglotte (46) was fourth out of the water in the swim but was able to capitalise on his powerful cycling and running. St. Barth’s Jean-Marc Outil was first out of the water.
Second overall went to 2018 winner St. Barth’s Fabien Husson (2:12:50) and third overall to St. Martin’s Gregoire Pigeon (2:15:20) who clocked the day’s fastest time on the bike segment (1:08:35), crediting that to hours of bike training.
Murielle Paul was the first woman overall completing the Olympic distance in 2:58:58. There was bad luck for Celine Verdonck (2:59:06) who would have been first had she made her turn around on the bike segment in the right place. She was not disqualified but was given a penalty of four minutes added to her overall time after admitting her mistake to organisers. Third woman to finish was St. Barth’s Jessica Pearson-Outil (3:05:20).
The fastest run of the day came from Omarco Robinson, who beat Noglotte’s run by 20 seconds.
The Olympic Team Category was won by Tri Sport Tigers (Mathias as swimmer, Mark Maidwell as biker and Kai Piscione as runner) in 2:15:03. Carib Swim team’s Mathias was third out of the water to give the team a great head start. Second place went to Los Rapidos (2:20:50) and third place to Boa Team (2:21:27).
Winner of the Male Individual Sprint distance was Alvin Babel from Guadeloupe in 1:07:59, St. Barth’s Jean Dominic was second (1:15:43) and third Frederic Dupuy, also from St. Barths.
The women’s Individual Sprint was won by Lauriane Prevost from St. Barths (1:18:19). St. Martin’s Sandra Garnier was second (1:24:10), and the amazing veteran Mary Wrigley came in third (1:29:29).
Team SXI won the team Sprint category in 1:16: 02. The Conquerors were second (1:16:20) and all-female team Punishers were third (1:24: 43).
Some 120 athletes from St. Martin, St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barths, Guadeloupe, and Martinique took part in the triathlon. A rainy weather system over the previous two days moved out of the area just in time, leaving almost perfect conditions. In the 30-year history of FITA’s triathlons – the first one being held in 1989 – the event has never been cancelled.
Co-organiser Susy Piscione remarked on the surge in participation from French-side clubs and associations, and less participation from the Dutch side.
“The help from the police with 18 officers at the intersections and roundabouts was outstanding,” commented FITA President Juan Pablo Piscione. “Knowing how busy they are, it is very uplifting to know they always have tourism and safety in mind. The Coast Guard and Red Cross were also present, and with all the volunteers, this is the combined spirit that made for a very successful event.
“The support from Diamonds International for the prizes and Taloula Mangos is again greatly appreciated. Taloula Mango, which is undergoing remodelling, provided the breakfast from Emilio’s Restaurant and, despite that inconvenience for them, they still agreed to host the event.”
A video of the event has been made by David Leblanc.
