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| (L-R) Miss Medical University of the Americas, Mr Jorn Eivik of Carino Nevis Ltd. and Mr David Peterkin OECS Sports Co-ordinator look on while OECS Triathlon Champions Mr Reggie Douglas and Ms Miranda Grandison show off their trophies. |
CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (March 13, 2006) -- Nevis athletes Mr Reggie Douglas and Mrs Miranda Grandison swept the first ever OECS Olympic Distance Triathlon Championship titles in the male and female categories during the Carino sponsored Nevis Olympic Triathlon 2006 on Sunday March 12, 2006, while Mr Richard Jankowski of Martinique was the winner of the Nevis Olympic Triathlon.
Both athletes were presented with their winning trophies by Mr David Peterkin Sports Co-ordinator of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), amid the loud applause and cheers of onlookers who had lined the streets of the Charlestown waterfront to witness the historic event. There were three races the Olympic Distance, the Sprint Distance and the Try-a-Tri.
Mr Jankowoski completed the 31 mile course in 2:21:32; Mr Nate Falkenberry of St Croix came second finishing at 2:22:38; Anthony Sweetman of Barbados came third at 2:24:57; Mr Eric Leire of France came fourth at 2:29:33 and Mr Reggie Douglas came fifth at 2:29:40.
Among the women Ms Jennifer Goddard of Barbados came first at 2:39:26; Ms Janine Herweijer from the Netherlands came second at 2:44:41, Ms Jessica Geiste of USA came third at 2:56:33; Ms Amber Acker of the USA came fourth at 2:57:50 and Ms Miranda Grandison came fifth at 2:59:36.
The sporting activity hosted by the Nevis Cycle and Triathlon Club, the forth of its kind, brought together over 60 competitors from 13 countries including the United States of America., Europe, Trinidad, Martinique and St. Kitts.
According to the Club's President, The OECS had embraced the triathlon and Nevis as a venue which he saw as a major stepping stone for the region "and the fact that David Peterkin has come to present the trophies lends credence to the whole venue," he said.
It's been a struggle to get there but finally we are starting to see the pay off and the athletes that are representing Nevis are well deserving of the accolades that are due to them.
He said that this year's event had been advertised in the United States and Europe and as such had seen an increase in competitors from further a field which he explained would assist the Club to broaden its scope and serve to heighten the level of competition.
He also thanked the Nevis Island Administration for its support which he said helped the Club to make the event a high profile one in full view of all.
The route which was made up of a two lap course from Gallows Bay to the Charlestown Pier, two lap biking course from the TDC parking lot to the Vance W. Amory International Airport and back and a two lap course from the Parking lot to Four Seasons and back. The Sprint category followed the same route except the athletes completed the course with one lap each.
