SIMPSON BAY—Novices, or anyone used to practising one sport may find tackling three disciplines in a Triathlon too daunting but the way Mini Triple Triathlons are set up, the short sprint distances give anyone with an average level of fitness an opportunity to complete one to three races, or complete all three, depending on fitness and motivation.
Sunday’s latest edition of the Mini Triple Triathlon at Sunset Beach Bar organised by the Friendly Island Triathlon Association (FITA) attracted a broad cross section of the community, from beginners to novices, intermediates, veterans, gung-ho weekend warriors, to the island’s leading triathletes. For the first time a pre-Junior category (nine years old) was added.
FITA’s master plan is to introduce new, younger blood into the sport, for that fateful day, eventually, when the old guard have to hang up their bicycle helmets and running shoes.
It was a record turnout for Sunday’s event--77 participated--from all age groups, and weather and sea conditions off Sunset Beach could not have been better. Three races consisting of 250 metre swim, 8.3K bike, and 2K run were organised. The first was swim, bike and run in that order; the second race run, swim and bike; and the third race swim, run and bike.
“Changing the order around helps the muscles to recuperate, and can help those who are better at one discipline than another,” said organiser Juan Pablo Piscione.
The transition area was set up in the Alegria car park. Participants did three laps on the bike from Sunset Beach Bar to the airport roundabout and back. The run took place in Beacon Hill.
No surprises in the Men Under 39 category where Tri Academie’s Gregoire Pigeon dominated to win in an accumulated time of 1:19: 10 (he won the first two races) followed by close rival Erwan Gentil in second place (1:22:04) and third Sebastien Barrett in 1:25:18. The Gendarmerie’s Deputy Commandant Emmanuel Maignan was twelfth in this category with a time of 1:43:08.
Men over 40 was won by Jean-Marc Outil in 1:20: 36. Overall he was only a minute slower than Greg Pigeon and beat the latter in the last race. Fabrice Bouquet was second (1:22:41) and Stephane Bensaid third (1:26:44).
Junior Men was won by Bruno Alvarez (1: 40:34), second was Titouan Pageaud (1:46:46) and third Rashad Peterson (2:15: 49).
“This was my first triathlon,” said Rashad (15) who attends St. Maarten Academy. “The first race I could have done a bit better but I was much better in the second one. I’m strongest in swimming but weakest in cycling. But I’m going to keep on improving. I really like triathlons.”
Pre-Juniors was won by Mattheo Gosse in 1:32:11 and Junior Men by Bruno Alvarez (1: 40: 34). Iris van den Oever won Junior Women in 2:12: 47 and Niobi Illis won Pre Junior Women in 2:24: 37.
Women over 40 was won by Patricia Nolf in 1:38:42, Susy Piscione was second (1:46:15) and Mary Wrigley third (1:48:06).
The Triathlon will have been a mere warm-up for the likes of Nicole Erato, Gregoire Pigeon and others from Tri Academie who are participating in next weekend’s Ironman Triathlon in Puerto Rico.
Nicole won the Under 39 Women’s category in 1:30: 18, ahead of Alexandra Vano in second (1:32:14) and Annelies Starreveld third (1: 43:28).
“I’m best at cycling, weaker in swimming but now running is becoming a favourite,” confessed Nicole who admitted she was supposed to be resting for the Ironman. “I did the Ironman last year to see if I could finish it, which I did, and this year I have been training with a coach to be more competitive. I achieved the goal of finishing under six hours and this year I want to shave 30 minutes off that time.”
Someone else who may well be participating in next weekend’s Puerto Rico Triathlon is 64-year-old Volker Winkler who finished 18th in the Men over 40 category in 1:56: 51 on Sunday.
“I’m visiting the island and by chance saw the flyer for this triathlon and said why not do it,” said Winkler. “I’ve done 16 Ironman’s including Hawaii; much longer than this one but it was fun to do a local race.”
Several police officers were present to assist with traffic control, joining the Red Cross to ensure the event was accident free.
