Caribbean Sports Network

TEENAGER Jason Wilson was crowned Olympic distance champion in the Toyota Rainbow Cup Triathlon for the second straight year yesterday with a dominating performance at the new venue in Turtle Beach, Tobago. The Barbadian was expected to finish first and did so by obliterating the field, crossing the finish line over 12 minutes ahead of runner-up James Loaring of Canada. Wilson, 19 years old, had the fastest time in all three disciplines, clocking an impressive 1:54.51.

Speaking to Newsday after the race, Wilson revealed that he was surprised by how well he performed after competing in a tough duathlon in Mexico last week.

“Every year I come here I have a good race. The course was fast. I definitely can see this race becoming and International Triathlon Union (ITU) event in the future,” he said.

He advised race organisers to eliminate the vehicular traffic on the road to make conditions perfect. Despite being the overwhelming favourite, Wilson expressed shock by the margin of victory. “I expected James (Loaring) to be closer,” he said.

Loaring was second in 2:07.07 while TT’s Ancil Greene was third. By virtue of being the first local athlete to cross the finish line, Greene dethroned Clarence Tobias as the national champion. Greene clocked a personal best time of 2:12.38.

“I’m happy that I did a PB,” he said.

Greene revealed that his aim was to try to keep pace with the leaders during the swim stage and “push it” on the bike. He noted, however, that the running stage was difficult for him as he had been experiencing tightness in his leg.

David Hay was the second TT participant to finish, placing fourth overall in 2:16.01 while Tobias was sixth overall for a third place finish among TT competitors in 2:18.55

American Jolene Wilkinson showed that triathlons can be conquered by both genders as she was remarkably fifth overall (2:18.49) and the first woman to cross the finish-line. It was Wilkinson’s first visit to the Caribbean and she was extremely pleased to claim the top honours in her division and also beat several of her male counterparts.

Guadeloupe’s Louis Guylyne (2:28.50) and Grenada’s Clare Morrall (2:39.25) were second and third respectively among the women. Diane Henderson is the new female national champ, finishing 15th in 2:46.09

The Sprint distance (750m swim/20K bike/5K run) was won by Martinique’s Paula Manuel who despite trailing after two legs, made up the lost time with a brilliant performance in the running stage for a winning time of 1:06.55. TT’s Akil Baptiste had to settle for second (1:08.26) while Johnathan Paul was third in 1:09.17.

Antigua’s Lindsay Buffy topped the women in 1:23.39, exactly a minute ahead of national champion Maria Gooding. TT’s Jodi Hadeed was third in 1:26.45.

The top honours in the exciting 5K Fun Run went to TT’s Richard Jones who stormed home in 15 minutes 35 seconds. Trailing him but not by much was Guyana’s Kelon Johnson who timed 15.42.

Lionel Dandrade copped bronze for Guyana with a time of 16.22 seconds.

TT’s Celine Lestrade took the glory among female participants with a 19.28 run while Guadeloupe’s Louis Guylyne showed her supreme fitness by placing second in 19.45 after earning the silver medal for women in the Olympic distance triathlon earlier.

TT’s Paulette Lucess rounded out the top three females by taking the bronze in 20.17.