PHILIPSBURG --The 2026 Michelob Ultra Boardwalk Triathlon once again delivered exciting competition, drawing more than 100 participants across the Olympic, Sprint and Try a Tri distances.
The Olympic-distance race featured a 1,500-meter swim, a challenging 40km bike ride from Philipsburg to the top of Cay Hill repeated four times, and a 10km run. Athletes ranging in age from 18 to 70 took on the demanding course.
A strong men's field included defending champion Gregory Pigeon, teammate Gabriel Pertusot, 2023 winner Fabien Husson of St. Barthélemy, and Guadeloupe's Frédérick Bleuzé. The lead changed hands several times throughout the race before Pertusot secured victory in 2:16:28, powered by an impressive 35-minute 10km run. Pigeon finished just 16 seconds later in 2:16:44, while Bleuzé claimed third in 2:21:00.
Jean-Marc Outil of the St. Barths Triathlon Club produced one of the day's standout performances, winning the 50+ age category and placing fourth overall. He also recorded the fastest swim split of the day in 25:09. Organizers later determined the swim course measured closer to 1,600 meters than the planned 1,500 meters.
In the women's Olympic-distance race, SXM Tri Académie member Melina Bruneau improved on her 2025 runner-up finish by taking the title in 3:07:12, seven minutes faster than her previous year's performance. Jessica Pearson of the St. Barths Triathlon Club finished second in 3:26:19.
The Olympic-distance team title went to Tri-Sport Punishers, consisting of Erik Spit, Mark Maidwell and Florentine Panneker Hope Ross, in 2:25:42. Tri-Sport Tigers finished second, followed by Island Vibes in third.
Notable performances also came from 70-year-old Frits Bus, who won the 60+ age category, and 18-year-old Meks Teunissen, who completed the Olympic-distance race in 3:26:15.
The Sprint distance, consisting of a 750-meter swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run, attracted the largest field of competitors.
St. Barths' Matthieu Chassaigne claimed the overall victory in 1:10:12. Boris Villemin finished second overall in 1:13:11, while Jordan Surriray of SXM Tri Académie took third in 1:14:00.
Among the women, Saba's Geertrude Hellema led the field in 1:20:04, ahead of Roma Dhanani and Anna Gerard.
In the Junior Sprint category, Victoria Otto claimed victory in 1:46:26, narrowly ahead of Frederique Van Velden.
The Adult Team Sprint title went to SXM Tri Académie Team, which edged A.Y.E. by just six seconds. Triple Force rounded out the podium. In the Junior Team category, Young Guns 2.0 finished first, ahead of Sunkissed Charters.
The Try a Tri distance, introduced to encourage newcomers to the sport, consisted of a 300-meter swim, 8km bike ride and 2.5km run. Twelve-year-old Romancio Bernard captured the overall victory. Mia Pigeon finished second overall and won the Junior Girls category, while Ralph Jean Louis won the men's division and Naima Dessout topped the women's field.
The Boardwalk Triathlon traces its roots to the Philipsburg Grand Chase Triathlon, an International Triathlon Union points race in 1998 and 1999. While the event once attracted athletes seeking Olympic qualification points, its focus has since shifted toward grassroots participation and athlete development, helping introduce new generations to the sport.
Organizers thanked Michelob Ultra, Port St. Maarten, Diamonds International, Tous a L'O, Sea View Hotel, U&I CrossFit, Lucozade and Super U for their support.
The next event on the calendar will be the 5K Run from Sand Bar in Beacon Hill to Buccaneer Beach Bar on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
