VTA News

The story and results of the 2004 Tusker Triathlon du Paradis can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. Details of all other 2004 events can be found in this link 2004 News.

In perfect tropical weather conditions last Sunday morning, local defending champion Didier Maucotel had to be content with runner up as he gave his title to New Caledonian champion David Esposito with Stuart Taylor from Australia third. David was one of nine New Caledonians and six Australians to come to Port Vila for the annual Tusker Triathlon du Paradis.

David was first out of the water by a minute, but the next four of Ivan Oswald, Roderick O’Connor, Brooke Hutchison and Didier were getting arms and legs entangled as they fought for the narrow steps out of the water. The bike leg saw David Esposito extend his advantage as he coped with all the potholes and Sunday morning traffic to complete the 40km course out to the airport and back four times at an average speed of over 37km/hr. Bus and taxi drivers were mainly more considerate this year and did not cause any problems for the top riders (apart from Treaddie).

The run saw David further extend his advantage and he completed the course in a world class time of 2 hours 11mins and 23 secs. Brooke Hutchison took the Women’s title, with evergreen Tony Tasavi the first veteran and first Ni-Vanuatu.

In the half course 17 year old Australian Shea Monagle was first to finish in a record time of 1:05:23 after an incredible swim and sound bike and run legs, with Dad, Philip, not too far behind. However Pete Budd from the Aussie High Comm took out the half course title from Jeremy Whyte and Richard James, as Shea and Philip were entered in the junior and veterans sections respectively. Young Malakai Hunt will have to wait another year to get that junior title. Le’an Weymouth with a new bike won the Women’s half title. The ‘Trois Grumpy Old Men’ of John Oke, Phil Tremethick, and Alastair Rodger were the fastest team, although Phil couldn’t win his leg and had to draft behind Liz Pechan most of the way.

The short course saw Phil Kirby give up a golfing day to use his age advantage to just beat veterans John Morris and Paul James in a time of 42:41. Paul had the best bike time but those legs ain’t what they used to be for the run. However they were outshone by the three juniors from New Caledonia headed by Leo-Titouan Leroy who cleaned up in the Junior Men’s section in 38:15, and 15 year old Morgane Chazal came from behind with a withering late run to overcome her Noumean compatriots in the Junior Women’s in a time of 42:24 (eat your heart out Phil). Natasha Whyte took out the Women’s title.

Three special prizes were given. One to Ivan Oswald who had to withdraw after getting a sting in his eye on the swim. Another went to Anita Afford who had a great swim despite a lack of navigation skills adding excess distance, and also to Emmanuelle Cordier who on the run had to put up with some creep who thought he was well endowed.

The VTA would like to thank title sponsor Tusker, major sponsors Air Caledonie, Palms Casino, Le Meridien, Air Vanuatu, The Rossi, Vanuatu Post, the Aussie High Comm, and ASCO Motors, as well as 25 other companies and individuals whose contributions have made this another significant event on the international calendar. Thanks also to the Police, marshals and other helpers whose assistance to the VTA is an important part of a successful event.

The triathlon season takes a break now and reassembles at Le Meridien on the second Sunday next March for the “Splash and Dash”.

BIG TURNOUT FOR THE ROSSI TRIATHLON RESULTS

There was a big turnout of 38 competitors for this year’s Rossi triathlon, a warm up for next month’s Tusker Triathlon du Paradis. Our thanks to The Rossi for their continued support of the Vanuatu Triathlon Association. Local stars Thomas Tarroux and Didier Maucotel were non starters through health problems, allowing other regular competitors their moment to shine.

In the longer event, a closely fought tussle in the swim saw Brooke Hutchison stroking beautifully to just beat Ivan Oswald out of the water. These two went on to win the Women’s and Men’s Open events respectively, but the performance of the day came from Malakai Hunt. Although still a junior, he put in a great cycle to overhaul the other two to record the fastest overall time of the day just beating the one hour sixteen minute barrier. There were other creditable performances such as Georgia Noy’s zig zag swim. Georgia is not noted for her navigation skills and had a close encounter with the sea wall much to the amusement of Jesse behind her. The Daily Post’s Jon Basil put in the fastest run of the day but it was not quite enough to catch the winning team of Natasha and Jeremy Whyte.

The shorter event also had its closely fought tussles but as this scribe is not noted for his swimming ability he had the opportunity to observe the battles up front while flailing near the rear with eventual Women’s winner Emma Kirby.
Roderick O’Connor lead a group of five out of the water, while a fine effort by Danielle Tonner allowed the Juniors Stef, Lisel, Alex, Nick and Melissa to have their own battle for the bike and running leg.

My hope was to overhaul the front runners on the bike leg and hang on in the run. The fastest cycle time of the day nearly saw the plan work as dawdling taxi and bus drivers were startled by being overtaken by a cyclist, but in the end Richard James was able to hold off the olfala by 17 seconds. A search party was being formed when John Cvetko eventually completed the bike leg. It was such a nice day he thought he would stop at Tebakor for an ice-cream and soft drink.

Over all it was a very good trial run for our big event, the Tusker Triathlon du Paradis, coming up in four weeks time. Locals can expect to have some serious competitors flying in from overseas. Some Aussies have already entered and we hope the contingent from New Caledonia returns. Come down to The Rossi early on 18^th September to support our local competitors and enjoy our biggest Triathlon for the year.

However before then, the 4^th of September will see the final of the Anchor Kids’ Tryathlon Series starting 0800 at Le Meridien Beach.

It was a strong field that turned out for the third AFA 10km fun run last Saturday, July 9. This annual race, from Mele Maat to the Anchor Inn, is treated by some as a training run for the Round Island relay, making it a hotly contested event. Some of the 46 competitors were so enthusiastic they showed at 5.30 for the 8am start!

The battle for places reflects Vanuatu’s amazingly talented pool of runners. In the Senior Men’s race Jack Nawia established his lead early, his fluid style keeping him ahead of the pack until he powered across the line in first place in a time of 35.28. He was closely followed by Thomas Tarroux in a time of 36.16, an outstanding performance from a man who ran a 70km race the weekend before.

With the departure of Victoria Hillman from our shores, the outcome of the women’s event was an unknown. It came down to the line, with just 15 seconds separating Rachel Jack in first place (in a time of 54.38) and runner up Emma Kirby. Tony Tasavi took out the men’s veteran event in yet another example of his dedication to competition in local events, while Veronica McCoy cruised over the line to be the first veteran woman home.

It was fantastic to see so many juniors turn up for the competition. Junior Woman winner, Nandine Buras, will be one to snap up for a RIR team, finishing in a fantastic time of 46.29 without appearing to break a sweat. Roger Loka was the first Junior Man in an impressive time of 41.02.

The atmosphere throughout the event was great, with runners cheered on over the course by spectators and volunteers manning drink stations to make sure no-one overheated. Despite stories of dubious training schedules and pre-race warm-ups, everyone who started finished the race to the applause of the assembled crowd. Thanks to the generous sponsorship from AFA Insurance race winners received prizes of sporting goods and t-shirts which added to the general enjoyment.

If you missed this event, don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to pull on your running shoes and get training for the Rossi Triathlon on August 21. Put in an individual or team entry and make a bid for some of that glory (not to mention those prizes).

Vanuatu Beverages Sponsor June Triathlon Results

June’s event for the triathlon season was the valued yearly sponsorship by Vanuatu Beverages and Coca Cola.

Thomas Tarroux and Didier Maucotel didn’t disappoint the crowd with an obviously hard fought battle won by Thomas with a margin of only 42 seconds – no mean feat after an hour of swimming, biking and running. The ladies present never fail to enjoy watching these two compete as they are dressed in true slinky triathlon apparel. We are looking forward to the main event on 18^th September – the Tusker Tri du Paradis – it will be a serious competition between these two, but we expect they will have some overseas competitors to push them even harder.

Tony Tasavi had company this event with two newcomers, Michael Thompson and Zach Isdaha. He missed his usual rivalry with the other “olfala” Bryn Burnett who had work commitments.

Youth Challenge again gave great support to the event, thanks to the hard work of Georgia Noy. It is wonderful to see these first year competitors and we enjoy watching the unusual styles of some of the Ni Vanuatu bike riders at the transition.

Phil Kirby won the Short Tri, but with Paul James and John Morris close behind. We are now waiting for the women’s winner, Emma Kirby, to beat his time as she did a very strong race after the swim and perhaps with the sponsor’s energy drink she will reel him in.

It was wonderful to have 7 Junior girls competing in the short tri, we look forward to seeing them again in the next one. We think Karla Amanaki, Lisel Nichols and Alex Malcolm should challenge their parents – This scribe thinks we would all have a good idea who would win – go girls!!

Once again, thank you to Vanuatu Beverages for your continued support – the soccer balls were an inspiration, especially giving one to each competitor.

This popular (especially popular for slow swimmers) event was held on Sunday the 8th of May and resulted in a dead heat between french resident friends Thomas Tarroux and Didier Maucotel. Sorry report not available (just make it up yourself!).

Thomas Tarroux Triumphs in Ridgway Blake Triathlon

Sunday the 10th April saw the traditional Ridgeway Blake Lawyers Triathlon. Despite the inclement weather of the previous few days (weeks!), the rain held off for the event and it did mean it was not too hot for the competitors. In the end perennial winner for the last 6 years Didier Maucotel had to pass his crown to the new local hero Thomas Tarroux. Initially Didier stamped his usual brilliance on the event, but found he had serious competition from Thomas. Didier was in the lead after the swim, they were neck and neck at the end of the bike leg (thanks to the Municipality for temporarily filling in the pot holes), but Thomas pulled him in on the run and we had a new champion. “The King is dead long live the King?” Well we don’t think so and we look forward to more clashes between these two athletes in the next events. Ol’ timer Bryn Burnett was a distant third.

It was very exciting to see so many Ni

Vanuatu

participants, who gave an added dimension to the morning with enthusiastic barracking for their team-mates. Unfortunately Wesley Abraham dislocated his shoulder on the swim but in true macho spirit didn’t let this worry him. A couple of spectacular wipe-outs from the bike in the transition area entertained the spectators and a dead heat between Harold Joseph and Maxon Brownson completed the longer event.

A TransTasman clash between the fellow bankers of Ian Cooper and Phil Haynes was the highlight of the swim; with Hurricane Ian taking one second lead over Waratah Phil. However Ian’s secret weapons of Paul Phelan on the bike and the daily Post’s Jon Basil on the run saw them take out the short team event.

Natasha and Jeremy Whyte were new competitors and were a formidable team in the longer event closely followed by Steve Leeson and his Wilco team of Jacky Kenari and Joel Natou.

Finally with everyone cheered home by a vocal crowd the successful event was rounded off with a well-earned breakfast at the ever-supportive Rossi Restaurant and with a prize giving courtesy of our generous sponsor Ridgway Blake.

The May event on Sunday the 9th will again be the Sound Centre Duathlon from outside Korman Stadium. This is the one opportunity for non-swimmers to show their prowess!
Results on the noticeboard at the Rossi.

Fine weather, a fine venue, and a fine crowd saw the triathlon season off to a flying start on the 13 March with the Le Meridian Splash and Dash aquathon. It was great to see many new faces enter as well as some old faces albeit a year older. There are some other old faces yet to show up, and we know who they are. They obviously don’t want to peak too early and must be saving themselves for later.

First competitor home was a Kiwi, Nigel Muir, over here on holiday. He managed to edge out our Mauco Man in a fine time of 18 minutes and 39 seconds. However the most exciting finish saw the clash between the veteran team of bankers, Phil Haynes and Greg Coughlan, women’s Tri du Paradis champion Victoria Hillman, and local junior champion Malakai Hunt. Only three seconds separated them after the swim with Malakai pacing himself well to overhaul Victoria by four seconds at the finish, while Victoria nearly burst a foo foo valve in holding off the fast finishing Greg by just three seconds. Second woman home was Brooke Hutchison who looks like she will give Victoria some competition in the future when she masters the transitions.

Wilco’s Steve Leeson and Jon Basil won the team event, while Steve’s young Ni-Vanuatu protégé, Joel Nator, ran a close second to Jon. Veteran Ni-Vanuatu Tony Tasavi, who is still a fine competitor, is pleased to see the youngsters Malakai, Joel, Joel Albert, and Matthew Kalotiti coming through, not to mention young Valentine Hello. Valentine did a run time many adults would be proud of and overhauled another promising youngster in Grace Kirk.

A wide variety of spot prizes given by Le Meridien and the VTA ensured many competitors were rewarded for their participation. The same format will apply for the next triathlon which is the Ridgway Blake Lawyers Half and Short Triathlon on Sunday 10^th April.

Defending champion Didier Maucotel beat off overseas and local competitors to win this year's Tusker Triathlon du Paradis in a time of 2:12:56. Only the top two men's teams of specialist athletes completed the course in marginally faster times. Robert Hirsch was runner up with an improved performance helped by a better bike. Overall times were slightly quicker than last year because organisers had to shorten the bicycle leg at the last minute when, unbelievably, Unelco cut a trench across the course near the Police Station on the one way system. However this did not detract from the contest and only disadvantaged those whose strength was the bike leg.

Only a puncture was going to stop Victoria Hillman defending the Women's crown, as has happened once before, but not this time as she put in a creditable performance right up there with the men. The young triathlete from Noumea, Elie Amar, was the only competitor out of a field of 75 starters to suffer a puncture and have to withdraw. However Jo Crisp from Australia nearly didn't get to the start line with a puncture minutes before the start, but local heroes Phil Tremethick and Mark Harradine leapt to her aid and were rewarded by her winning the Women's half course.

Ben Parsons from Australia won the veteran's category while Tony Tasavi was again the first individual Ni-Vanuatu despite losing the elastic in his running shorts and nearly embarrassing himself.

The VTA prize of a mountain bike for the best performance by a local team member went to barefoot runner Natuman who completed the four lap ten kilometre course in 39 minutes which included running up the hill to ASCO Motors four times. No doubt he would have been pushed by Jon Basil, who had a great time, but Jon competed in the half course this year.

In the half course 17 year old Benoit Pebellier from Noumea managed to hold off Thomas Tarroux and a fast finishing Malakai Hunt, but young Malakai will be one to watch when he steps up to the full course. With Bryn Burnett having moved up to the Half course, Phil Kirby prevailed in the Men's quarter course outclassing a host of local identities, however he himself was outclassed by the Juniors from Noumea and the young veteran Pascal Guillett. Le'an Weymouth came out of retirement to beat a small field in the Women's quarter category.

There were other noteworthy performances including the tall Scott Daniel who looked hilarious on a small woman's bike after having his bike stolen the night before, Phil Haynes who completed the swim course with cramp, and Liz Pechan who came off her bike twice, once at the Tagabe roundabout ending up in the Tusker fence to the enthusiastic spectators' applause, but more embarrassingly the second time in front of a big crowd at the finish when her feet got stuck in the foot clips.

The VTA would like to thank title sponsor Tusker, major sponsors Vanuatu Post, TVL, Air Vanuatu, Palms Casino, Sound Centre and The Rossi, as well as 28 other companies and individuals whose contributions have made this another significant event on the international calendar. Thanks also to the Police, marshals and other helpers whose assistance to the VTA is an important part of a successful event.

The successful finale of the Anchor Kids' Tryathlon series was held at Le Meridien on Saturday 23rd October.

Vanuatu Beverages Sponsor June Triathlon Results

Thomas Tarroux Triumphs in Ridgway Blake Triathlon