Roatan, Bay Islands -
Two top triathletes from the US have confirmed that they are
looking forward to competing in the Bay Islands International
Triathlon - this firmly places the race as an important
event in international triathlon calendar.
The two athletes who will be participating in the event are
Hunter Kemper, ranked number one in the US by the International
Triathlon Union (ITU) and is placed at 16th best athlete in
world rankings. Kemper was also a member of the Olympic team
that represented the US in the Sydney last year. Sheila Taormina
is ranked at number 4 in the US, number 10 in worldwide ratings
and also represented the US at the Olympic Games.
The triathlon, which will take place on Roatan Island, the
largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, on March 8 this year.
The race is expected to draw about 300 athletes from the US,
Honduras and Central America and the Caribbean.
“We are extremely happy with the numbers so far”,
says Sandra Sampayo of Bay Islands Marketing, one of the organizers
of the event. “Our goal is to put on a very well organized
and supported race for 2003, and to build the event as a reputable
international annual event that will draw widespread awareness
for both the sport as well as the Bay Islands as a destination.”
The Bay Islands International Triathlon, organized by Bay
Islands Marketing and Kemkon Ltd of the US, will be the first
ITU-rated race to take place on the Bay Islands and is expected
to become an important race within the ITU world championships.
An ‘international’ race incorporates a 1.5km
swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run. The Bay Islands International
Triathlon’s course has been dubbed ‘a serious
challenge’ by professional athletes who have tested
the course. “It is one of the most challenging courses
I’ve seen so far and I think that it is going to be
an enormously fun race. The cycling part of the event takes
athletes over some impressive hills, and there is this one
hill in particular, which I have dubbed ‘El Diablo’
(The Demon), which is going to separate the men from the boys”.
says age grouper triathlete and race director Leslie Poujol-Brown.
Similarly, Honduran champion triathlete, Pablo Rubio predicts
that athletes who are not afraid of going downhill fast, and
those that are strong hill climbers, will have the advantage.
“The race is going to be tough, but it is going to
be fun. With average annual sea temperatures at 29ºC
(84ºF) and water as flat as glass, the swim is going
to be amazing. Runners are led through a stunning tropical
forest with gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea,” says
Rubio.
The islands can expect about 300 athletes from the US and
the Caribbean and Central American regions. These athletes
will receive red-carpet treatment from the moment they arrive
at the airport.
“One of the most important aspects of a grueling athletic
event is that the athletes get a good night sleep before the
race, and what better way to wake up than at a top-notch resort
or hotel on a lush Caribbean island. Our participating hotels
will make sure that there is plenty comfort, tranquility and
carbohydrates before the race,” say organizers.
People who would like more information on the triathlon or
who would like to register, can contact Sandra Sampayo at
Bay Islands Marketing on Roatan at +504 455-5841 or email
info@bayislandstourism.com or Leslie Poujol Brown in the US,
at info@bayislandstriathlon.com or 803-957-3347. A special
event website has been created for the event, and the address
for this is http://www.bayislandstriathlon.com
