Manx Tri Club

The Microgaming Sprint Triathlon Festival weekend saw the course records smashed in both the Men's & Ladies Individual events and in the Team event. 78 competitors started in possibly the best conditions that the event has enjoyed over the last 8 years.  It was great to see a big field of 25 ladies and a lot of new facers and 1st time triathletes.

In perfect weather conditions on Saturday, Becky Storrie led the womens field out of the Swim onto the Bike and No.1 was the position she held right to the finish line.  Becky, who already held the ladies course record, absolutely destroyed her previous time, finishing in an amazing 1:02:23 (which also placed her 4th overall).  Jenny Newbery, another very talented triathlete had chased Becky hard in the swim and on the bike, but couldn't match Becky's run & finished 2nd in 1:06:03 (9th overall).  Wendy Sandford completed the podium in 3rd in 1:16:38 (31st overall)

15 year old Emma Draper, competing in her 1st Sprint Tri was the first Youth, finishing in an excellent 1:23:40 (11th Lady & 55th overall)

Amber Carridge had a great race to take the Senior Women Category Prize in 1:18:15 (4th Lady & 27th overall)

Christine O'Shea was the Veteran Women Category Women in 1:19:27 (5th Lady & 45th overall)

   Becky Storrie, winner of the Ladies Race, pictured with her Team Mates, John Swindlehurst & Rob Parker from the Gym & Tonic Tri'ers who took 2nd place in the Mixed Team race.

In the Men's race, last year's joint winners Joseph Ricciardi and Andrew Nash found themselves head to head again.  Joseph had a lead of 1min 15s over Andy as they came out of the swim, and then used his strength to add a further 50s on the bike.  Despite the best T1 split of 24s, and the best run split of 17:21, Andy wasn't able to close the time gap, and it finished in that order, Joseph taking 1st place and Andy 2nd.  They both however had raised the bar to a new level.  Joseph finishing in a blistering 56m 27s and Andy in 57m 52s.  Age & experience definitely have advantages as there was nothing 'Veteran' about Juan Kinley's time of 1:02:23 to give him 3rd place.

Kyle Cochrane put in a very credible performance in his 1st Sprint Tri to be placed 1st Male Youth in 1:25:01 (58th overall)

Ryan Downey & Paul Swindale raced very hard but weren't able to close the gap on 3rd place Juan, Ryan taking the Senior Men's category prize in 1:03:37 and Paul the Veteran Mens Category in 1:03:49)

Terry Bugg and Nigel Hendy the 2 Super Vets just keep getting better and better, both improving their Personal Bests, Terry by over a minute to take the Category prize in 1:19:08 (44th overall).

Team Day

Sunday's weather wasn't as kind with a fresh and fairly chilly Northerly wind blowing down the promenade.  It was however dry and it didn't prove a hindrance to those who were out to challenge the previous course record.  42 Teams, comprising 123 competitors put on a great display of team racing.  Josh Corteen swimming for RGS Young Guns barely had time to get wet, completing his swim and transition handover in 9mins 4s to give Joe Haddock a lead out on to the bike course.  Robin ('Batman') Garry riding for the Bikestyle Bandits wasn't going to let the small matter of being 3rd out onto the bike get in the way, as he overtook Joe, bringing the bike leg home in 27:00.  Meanwhile Gianni Epifani (Team NSC), Roger Raatgever Team Microgaming), Liam Mazzone (Tri Hard), Rob Sorby (RGS Old Boys) & Paul Kneen (Team GPR) were all determined to mix it up and together with Joe all racked their bikes in under 31 mins.  By now Batman had handed over the baton to Ben Corkill for the run.  Ben didn't look back and the team (Joe Ricciardi/Batman/Ben) took the win in an incredible 54mins 45s.  Team NSC (Luke Annett/Gianni/Andy Nash) took 2nd in 56mins 42s and Team Microgaming (who had shared Joseph for the swim leg/Roger/Tim Knott) took 3rd in 58mins 21s.  The RGS Young Guns (Josh/Joe/Connell Jacques) weren't very far behind to take 1st Place in the Youth Team Category (6th overall) in 1:01:01.

In the Mixed Teams, Team Mac (Heather McGowan/Jon McGowan/Keith Gerrard) stormed around the course, to take 1st Prize in 1:03:17, Keith making light work of the 5k run in 15mins 55s!!  2nd place were the Gym & Tonic Tri'ers (Rob Parker/John Swindlehurst/Becky Storrie).

   Heather McGowan, Jon McGowan & Keith Gerrard winners of the Mixed Team race.

The all Ladies Team of 'No Direction' (Silla Parnell/Cal Brown/Beccy Miller) clearly did know where they were going and took 1st Female Team in 1:13:55.  2nd place were the Tri'S of Carroll Powell/Clare Ledger & Kathryn Quayle in 1:17:28

 Full results can be found via this link  http://my5.raceresult.com/48220/?lang=en

Entries for the IoM Triathlon Championships on 4th September will be open shortly.