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Eight representatives from Saint-Barthélemy, including seven from Saint-Barth Triathlon, took part in the 70.3 edition of the Ironman held in Saint-George, Utah, on Saturday May 10. An event that proved particularly difficult for the island's triathletes, who are no strangers to the exercise. When we signed up, we didn't know it would be particularly tough,” confirms Jean-Marc Outil. The Saint-Barth Triathlon group suffered from the heat, nothing like in the West Indies.”
As usual, the event began with the swim, in Sand Hollow Lake with a water temperature of 18 degrees. “That's still acceptable,” notes Jean-Marc Outil, who managed to emerge from the water in 1st place in his category (in 25 minutes and 41 seconds). The triathletes followed this up with the bike course, with a 1,180-meter gradient “particularly challenging for the body and legs on the way up Snow Canyon”, stresses Jean-Marc Outil. To finish, the running event in the town of Saint-Georges “becomes demanding with a difference in altitude of over 300 meters and very, very hot with temperatures rising every quarter of an hour to reach 37 degrees by 3 p.m.”, says the president of the Saint-Barth Triathlon.
“The 500 volunteers were not bored looking after the 2,300 triathletes on the run refreshments with water, ice cubes, electrolyte, cola, bananas, etc.”, he adds.
The Ironman was won by professionals: Paula Findlay (4h11'06“) in the women's race and Lionel Sanders (3h37'54”) in the men's race. Both Canadian triathletes. As for the Saint-Barth Triathlon members, despite difficult conditions, they all managed to finish the event. Jean-Marc Outil came 16th in the 55-59 age category (5h13' 55“), Clémentine Guinet (45th in the 30/34 age category, 6h48'58”), Jessica Pearson Outil (34th in the 45/49 age category, 6h56'13"), Nicolas Ganzer (98th in 50/54 years, 6h57'51“), Théo Estasse (183rd in 30/34 years, 7h13'17”), Hélène Girardeau (62nd in 35/39 years, 7h23'08“) and Debbie Reltien (25th in 55/59 years, 7h25'16”).
“Well done to Philippe Masseglia of Team Nissa Triathlon, who finished the same event in a time of 6h52'43“ and came 37th in the 60/64 age group,” adds Jean-Marc Outil.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Gréaux was competing in the club's colors in another 70.3 Ironman: the Gulf Coast Ironman in Florida. He suffered from the rain and wind,” explains Jean-Marc Outil. The swim was cancelled due to bad weather. As a result, they only did the bike and the run. Well done Alexandre, who finished in 6h16'36”.
