The weather could not have been more perfect for the start of the 10th Annual Optimist Triathlon on Sunday, April 20, sponsored by Cable and Wireless and Flag/Temenos Anguilla. At least fifty people in total registered for the competition in various categories. Swimmers in both the serious and fun categories all began the meet at Meads Bay while the cyclists patiently waited for them to get out of the water. The running segment started at Cable and Wireless with the finish line at Elodia’s Beach Bar and Restaurant.

L-R Olivia Geyer Teresa Brooks Yasminn Ebner - winners in the team fun 13-17

Many volunteers from the Optimist Club worked at Meads Bay and Elodia’s as others lined the roads to help competitors with the route and offer water. At a ceremony held at Elodia’s around 12 pm, the official results were announced and prizes were distributed. In the serious competition, the team winners consisted of Louise Wearmouth, Ronnie Bryan and Lance Lewis ($750 plus trophy); 2nd place were Frank Brigulio, Danny Laud and Junecia Richardson ($500 and silver medial); 3rd place was Bonnie Richardson Lake, Nigel Walwyn and Andre King ($250 and bronze medal). The serious individual winner was Dick Lultkes from St. Martin who ran home with $1,000 and a trophy. Unfortunately, the second place finisher, Reginald Douglas from Nevis, suffered a flat tire during the cycling portion but still finished strong and took home $750 and a trophy. In third place was Fritz Bus out of St. Martin who received $400 and a trophy.

In the fun categories, the 12 and under individual winner was Camille Poirot from St. Martin and she was awarded a cash prize of $200 and a trophy. Eighteen and over individual winner was Mari Radaelli from St. Martin as well and received $200 and a trophy. The team fun category saw three young tennis stars from the Anguilla Tennis Academy come out on top. Yasminn Ebner, Olivia Geyer and Teresa Brooks won the 13-17 team fun category and were awarded $200 and a gold medal. The 18 and over team fun category saw the team of Justin Hodge, Donnie Ragoubour and Joseph Ramdial finish first over an energetic team that consisted of Sharon McCoy, Cynthia Vannest and Zambezi. The second place team called themselves the Silver Streaks and their combined age was 163 years old.

The swimmers emerge from the water eager to start the cycling leg of the Triathlon

There were two special categories to round out the triathlon. The overall female serious individual winner was Christina Stoney from Nevis and she was awarded $500 and a gold medal. Sally Blackmore from the BVI took the second place medal and $300. The serious all male team winners were Timothy Richardson, Claude Richardson and Andrew Connor who received gold medals and shared $250.

The event was also sponsored by NBA, Keithly Lake and Associates, ANGLEC, Merchant’s Market, Vanterpool Services, Tropical Distributors, Comp Nation, Elodias Beach Resort, Irie Life, Sunset Homes, Caribbean Cable Communications, the Anguilla Tourist Board, Harneys Westwood and Riegels and Caribbean Juris Chambers.
Mr. Kissock Laing, chairman of the Optimist Triathlon, in a statement said, “All the participants said it was a well organized event and we are hoping to make it better next year by working closely with the regional triathlon associations. We still want to see a greater level of local participation, and overall it was a successful event. I would also like to thank all the sponsors who made this event amazing.”
-Jason Allen

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