By John Denny

Observer Reporter

(Oualie, Nevis) – The Nevis Cycle and Triathlon Club is gearing up for the Nevis Triathlon 2009 scheduled for this Sunday. So far, about 70 competitors are signed up and more are expected, according to club president Winston Crooke. The competition begins at 1:30 p.m., but there are events associated with the triathlon starting as early as 11 a.m.

There are slightly less competitors this year than last and Crooke says this is due in part to the economy and another is the Elite competition is not going to be held this year due to cost, which is $25,000 US to put the race on.

“Elite is the guys and girls who are out there looking for Olympic and championship points. They are professional athletes,” said Crooke. “Last year was the first time we had them in Nevis. They used to race once a year in St. Kitts, but that finished five years ago. We plan to do it every other year, so we are skipping this year.”

The winner of last year’s Triathlon went on to represent his country of Mexico in the Olympics.

Last year, 128 competitors from 25 countries participated. So far this year competitors from Germany, England, Canada, U.S., Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Maarten, Saba, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, the Federation among many others have signed up.

“We lost our title sponsor, so the government is stepping up to fill that sponsorship gap,” said Crooke.

Some of the other sponsors are Carib Breweries, Golden Rock Inn, Oualie Beach Hotel, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Pinney’s Beach Hotel, Horsford’s who contributed the flags flying at the waterfront and of course Crookes own shop; Wheel World.

The Nevis Triathlon is an International Triathlon. Athletes from all over the world come to Nevis to participate in the Olympic Distance or Sprint Triathlon. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 it hosted the OECS Triathlon Championship, which will be repeated in 2009.

The Triathlon can be done at three different levels:

Olympic Distance – 1500m Swim - 40km Bike - 10km Run, Sprint Distance (half the Olympic) – 750m Swim - 20km Bike - 5km Run, and Try-a-Tri - 250m Swim - 10km Bike - 3km Run.

“The Olympic distance is the actual distance raced during the Olympics,” he said. “The Sprint course is for the athlete who hasn’t quite reached the Olympic level and the Try-A-Tri is an opportunity for the youngsters to participate. All of these can be done as an individual or as a team.

Trophies and medals will be awarded to winners in the different categories which include:

Olympic distance - Male

Sprint distance - Male

Olympic distance - Female

Sprint distance - Female

Olympic distance - Relay

Sprint distance - Relay

Try-a-Tri - open

Age Groups Olympic - Under 24 / 25-39 / Over 40

Age Groups Sprint - Under 24 / 25 - 39 / Over 40

Entry Fees are: OLYMPIC – individual $75 US / $200 EC - relay $60 US / $160 EC per person. SPRINT – individual $55 US / $150 EC - relay $40 US / $110 EC per person and TRY-A-TRI - $25 US / $70 EC.

Fee includes: Pre-Race Pasta Party (Guests: $12 US / $30 EC), Post-Race Party (Guests: $10 US / $25 EC), Finish Line Food (Race number required), Tee Shirt and Finishers Medal.

The swim course:

The swim will take place in the Gallows bay in downtown Charlestown. There will be a Beach start following a simple triangle format, two laps for the Olympic distance swimmers and one lap for the sprint. On completion of the swim competitors will run along the Bay front for approximately 60 meters to the transition area.

The bike course:

Upon leaving the transition area, the bikers will head north along the main Island Road towards the airport and the turnaround point. The bike course is challenging but relatively flat with a maximum elevation of 150 ft (50mtrs) on the hill you will meet after passing Four Seasons Resort. The only steep section is the very short climb just as you pass the Oualie Beach Hotel, it is on this section heading towards the airport that you may encounter some wind. This loop is repeated for Olympic distance competitors to complete the bike course, once for the sprint competitors, before heading back to the transition area.

The run course:

The run course will be two laps for Olympic and one for sprint, the run is flat, heading North from town out as far as the entrance to the Four Seasons Resort, where you will turnaround, then head back to town, down Hunkins drive to the finish line.

Rules and regulations

Numbers must be fixed to the helmet and jersey as approved by the Race Director. (front of helmet, back of jersey on the bike, front of Jersey for the run

All repairs during an event shall be performed by the individual racer. Racers must complete the event on the same bicycle upon which he/she began the event. Any repairs or changes must be done with equipment carried by the individual racer.

This event is Draught illegal (i.e. No Drafting) any infringement will result in a time penalty or disqualification, the 15 second passing rule applies

All riders must attend the pre-race briefing and must familiarize themselves with the course.

Foul riding, unsportsmanlike behavior or abusive languages are grounds for warning, relegation and disqualification.

In events held on paved road, riders failing to stay left of middle shall be warned, relegated and disqualified.

Registration will end 30 minutes prior to race start. The race briefing will take place prior to the race start.

Any modified instructions shall be verbally announced at the race briefing and shall apply to that race.

The Race Director’s decision is final in all cases.

Racers must be properly attired for a Triathlon race, in particular:

Approved hard helmet, enclosed shoes and a jersey or top.

The event is also sanctioned by the Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS), a group of nine Caribbean nations that promotes cooperation in defense, international diplomacy, economic and sustainable development policies. In recognition of this special status, the St Kitts & Nevis Triathlon Federation will award the top male and female OECS nationals with the championship title. The current title holders are Reggie Douglas of Nevis and Clare Morrall of Grenada.