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Following the success of the "Australian-style" open water event on October 27, the Saint Barth Triathlon club and its technical team followed up with its annual L'Aquathlon du Shellona event on Sunday November 17. The event consists of a 400-meter swim and a 2-kilometer run, completed four times, either individually or in two-person relays.
However, after heavy rain on Saturday evening and Sunday night, the Aquathlon was almost cancelled or postponed. A difficult decision for the organizers, given the costs already incurred. As a result, they kept their fingers crossed in the hope of good weather. The technical staff were right to persevere and to be positive, because at sunrise on Sunday morning, rays of sunshine came out from behind the clouds, and by 7 o'clock it was bright sunshine," says one organizer. We were very lucky, with a beautiful four-hour window reserved for us, enough time to make the event. "
No fewer than 97 people were present at 6 a.m., 30 minutes before the start. The 70 swimmers took to the water in a mass start, i.e. all together. It was a real battle for places!
Determined, Théo Estasse immediately took the lead and dominated the race from start to finish. With each swimming sequence, he increased the distance separating him from his competitors, who were powerless even on the run. Last year's winner, Jean Yann Bouchaut, finished 3rd due to a calf injury.
In the women's race, Aude Vermillard ran her race like a metronome from start to finish to win.
In the relays, the atmosphere was relaxed and full of fun between swimmer and runner. "You can see on the athletes' faces how happy they are to be present at this magnificent spot on Shell Beach and the Shellona restaurant," commented one organizer.
A successful event, once again, by the St-Barth Triathlon.
The club would like to thank all the volunteers present at the event, the timekeepers, the territorial police, the Saint-Barthélemy fire department, the team of rescue swimmers on the water and our shock team, reporting on the road. "And a huge thank you to the Shellona restaurant, Pauline and her super top staff and all our event partners who are following us," write the organizers.
The rankings
Men: First: Théo Estasse
Second: Mathieu Chassaigne
Third: Jean-Yann Bouchaut
Ladies: First: Aude Vermillard
Second: Clémentine Guinet
Third: Olivia Laurence
Ladies' relay:
First: B&B team with Mélina Scordia and Julie Mazzilli
Second: ShannA's team with Shanna Brin and Anna Pasquet
Third: Tic et Tac with Elodie Rouve and Chloé Libourel
Men's relay :
First: Lasss Patcholitass with Lucas Bosc and Arthur Cohan
Second: Team Maxor with David and Thierry Maxor
Third: Guana Boys with Simon Chouinard and Charles Lemonier
Mixed relay
First: Tite et Cachalot with Chloé Cohan and Nicolas Ganzer
Second: Eclaboussures en Cavale with Alexandre Pellizari and Charlotte Le Gac ,
Third: Love with Dimitri Ouvre and Carole Pernelle.
Results are available on Sport timing Caraïbes.