2009 NEVIS TRIATHLON EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) – Typically perfect Nevis weather saw 108 athletes from 16 Nations being represented at the 7th Annual Nevis Triathlon last Sunday, Mar. 15. Canada, England, USA, Holland, Germany, Ireland, France, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, St Martin, Saba, Antigua, Tortola and Nevis were the countries represented. “It has been an amazing experience getting prepared for this race, we had financial difficulties but forged ahead anyway, and all of the hard work has paid off by the extraordinary number of athletes that visited from both abroad and regionally,’said race organizer Winston Crooke. “Pam Barry of the Golden Rock Hotel stepped in to the financial breech, as did the NIA, for which I am deeply grateful”Reggie Douglas retained his OECS championship title for the 4th year running and Kristina Stoney took the OECS female title for the first time to bring both crowns back to Nevis. Puerto Rico is not an OECS state which is why Douglas retained that distinction even though he came in third overall. “A special commendation has to go to Reggie as he had been working 10 hour days prior to the race to assist riders with bike repairs and preparation, along side his duties as the swim course coordinator,’said Crooke. The final results showed some outstanding performances with Team Puerto Rico taking 1st and 2nd in both the Sprint Female and Olympic Male categories. Overall Olympic Male Results: 1st Edgardo Velez Rivera PR 2nd Rafael Colon PR 3rd Reggie Douglas Nevis Overall Olympic Female Results 1st Janine Herweijer Holland 2nd Kristina Stoney Nevis 3rd Jayme Goldberg USA “I had a wonderful time at our race in Nevis on the 15th March, just by seeing new faces and old friends, and to see the event come off in a big way, I like being a part of this team,’said four-time OECS champion Reggie Douglas. “The St Kitts & Nevis Triathlon Federation wishes to thank all of its sponsors, volunteers and supporters for helping us make the event the success it was,’said Crook. “We also wish to thank our latest sponsor the Bio-Sport group and its new energy drink FLY (Forever Live Young) represented by Daryl Knox who was on hand to supply sample for both the athletes and the general public, and we look forward to a fruitful relationship with them.”The Police force and Cadets did an excellent job with traffic control on the bike route, and thanks to the vendors and the spectators for making the day what it was, Crooke said. The club’s next event will be the Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim on Mar. 29. For further details see the club website at www.neviscycleclub.com or contact Winston at 469 9682.
