Thanks to Clare from West Wight Sports Centre for this report from Sunday’s West Wight Triathlon. Ed
Sunday 19th August saw the 8th annual West Wight Triathlon take place in Freshwater. 184 individuals and 18 teams took part in what the organisers say is the ‘best event ever’.
Island winners
The winning man and woman were both Islanders – Jack Grundy (21) from Freshwater, competing for Team Bath won the men’s title in a time of 1 hour 33 minutes and 14 seconds – incredibly the exact same time to the second that he won last year.
Nina French (46) won the womens title for the 7th year in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes and 6 seconds. The team event was exciting and went to the line with a select team known as The Dream Team and consisting of Ed Castello (swimming), Simon Ambrosini (cycling) and Will Newnham (running) just beating Rhys Hunt, Martin Piper, and Paul Cameron.
85 of the competitors are Islanders with others travelling from as far afield as Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All ages involved
16 year old Cohan Tyler from Wootton was the second youngest individual participant with 15 year old Robbie Ventham from Dorking being the youngest.
66 year old Madeline Goodman, christened by the commentator on the day as “The Brighstone Legend” was the oldest Island competitor and was competing her 8th West Wight Triathlon. Madeline said ” I just want to get round – at my age that’s enough!” She in fact did far better than this and finished in 46th place out of the 63 women taking part.
In the team event, Team Hepburn consisted of 12 year old Pete Hepburn swimming, Dad, Glen Hepburn cycling and Phil Carey running. They finished in a time of 2 hours and 41 seconds just behind “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – made up from Lora Hassan-Green, Andy Green and Turgay Hassan- Hicks.
The Critchley Crew (14 year old Paige Critchley swimming with Dad Paul on the bike) broke the 2 hour mark with a creditable 1 hour 54 minutes. Paul Critchley of Diamond Isle Sculptured Glass made the winners trophies which were all made from recycled glass.
Full results can be found at West Wight Sports Centre.
Image: Br1dotcom under CC BY 2.0
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