SIMPSON BAY--A record number of tourists visiting St. Maarten for the first time, competed in the 23rd annual Triple Mini Triathlon hosted by Sunset Beach Bar and Restaurant on Sunday. One group of 17, travelled from France to visit a close friend, arranging their trip around the popular event which takes place at Maho Beach.
The race consists of three short triathlons, each consisting of a 250-metre swim, an 8-km bike ride and a 2-km run. Participants have one hour to complete each triathlon and each hour the sequence of the disciplines change, as in Swim, Bike, Run, then Run, Swim, Bike and finishing with a Swim, Bike and Run.
This year’s overall winner with the shortest combined time went to St. Maarten’s top-ranked triathlete, Gregory Pigeon (36) from the French side who completed his three races in a total time of 1:17:06. He had close competition from visiting French athlete, Sebastien Blin, who followed closely in 1:18:55.
Gregory crossed the line ahead in the first and second triathlons, however, lost out to Sebastien in the last race by a mere four seconds. Sebastien, who was new to the course and using a rental bicycle felt he was hindered and could have been closer, but agreed it was a really great race and enjoyed the tough competition from Pigeon.
Blin (41) finished first in his category of Male 40 and over, followed by the island’s well-known road cyclist and recent recipient of a Brown Pelican Award for his overall cycling performance, Mark Maidwell (51), while third place went to another visiting French athlete, Sebastien Sergent (46).
Pigeon’s category, Men 39 and under, was the largest group of contestants with second place going to Travis Mc Garry who finished in 1:19:21, and third to Nicolas de Tulzo.
The Women’s category, both the under 39s and over 40s, attracted a record number of female athletes this year, with the majority coming from French-side running club, SX-Treme Runners. Caroline Deplanque (39), the island’s top female triathlete, finished first overall for the women and first in her category in 1:29:07, followed by Celine Verdonck in 1:37:08. Murielle Paul came in close on her heels in 1:38:01.
Susan Piscione (48), member of the Friendly Island Triathlon Association and organiser of the event, won the over 40’s category in 1:41:48, followed closely by Magalie Merle (43) in 1:41:59. Helene Sergent (43), visiting St. Maarten for the first time, finished third in 1:44:12.
The Junior categories were also well attended with the youngest being only six years old. Sam Doublecourt who turns seven this year completed the first complete triathlon in 50 minutes and looks forward to the next one.
Andy Guibreteau (13) won the Junior Male category in 1:40:20, followed by 16-year old Sacha Kosztur in 1:43:35 and Joris Roosens (17) in 1:45:09.
The Girls division was won by Ilse Roosens (16) in 2:08:56, while Alicia Guibreteau (10) came in second in 2:12:35, and Lucie Kosztur (13) third.
“Seeing such a large number of visiting athletes having a great time on the island should remind us how important well-organized local events are to the economy,” commented Susy Piscione. “Along with Friendly Island Triathlon Association (FITA) and Tri-Sport, we organise up to 20 events per year, between running, road cycling, mountain biking and triathlon events and each of these races are attended by tourists who leave with a positive feeling of the island. We are so grateful that we can play a part in portraying some of the best that St. Maarten has to offer.”
“We could not have asked for a better day,” added FITA President Juan Pablo Piscione,” the weather cooperated fully, and we are blessed with amazing volunteers and sponsors.”
Tri-Sport’s next event is the annual Lagoon Half Marathon & 10K Run on May 5.
