'A tremendous feeling' - Champs admit greater joy for winning tough event

Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

Australia's Greg Bennett and the United States' Julie Swail-Estelle created history on Sunday, when they emerged the first male and female champions at the inaugural WATA Rose Hall triathlon, which was staged along the scenic Rose Hall tourism corridor.

The 36-year-old Bennett all but made the event a post-to-post affair as, except for the cycling section, when he was forced to shrug off the challenge of the American Jordon 'Ironman' Rapp, he was in command throughout, winning the tri-dimensional event in 1:59.33.

"It is a tremendous feeling to have won this event because the course was quite demanding," said Bennett. "I have done some 50 triathlons in the last 10 years and this one was definitely among the most challenging."

Internal factors

The splits for Bennett in the various segments were as follows: the 1500m swim- 18:42; the 40K bike - 58.41; and the 10K run - 34:28. Five minutes was added to his time for various internal factors.

"I tried my best, but Greg (Bennett) was too good for me today," said Rapp, who was a big favourite with the spectators. "I hope I will be back next year to try again."

For the 36-year-old Swail-Estelle, it was almost smooth flowing all the way as Laura Bennett, who failed to duplicate her husband's (Greg Bennett) success, never really challenged her as she ran away to emerge the top female in a time of 2:18:33.

"It was really quite challenging, but it was so nice to cross the finish line in front," said Swail-Estelle. "It was really a fantastic experience and I will definitely be back here next year to do it all over again."

Swail-Estelle, who beat all and sundry including the male competitor in the swim, in which she clocked 18:33, did one hour and 12 minutes on the bike and ran the 10K in 40:26.00.

Former Jamaica tennis player, Ryan Russell, of Entertain Jamaica, who conceptualised the event, was ecstatic.

First effort

"I feel so happy and proud because what happened here today was exactly what I had in mind when I first thought about staging this WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival," said Russell. "Like everything else, there might be a little tweaking here and there, but I am really happy with this first effort."

Patrick Lee, who was considered Jamaica's main hope, was not as awesome as when he won the preparatory event that was staged earlier this year as, according to him, the course was much more challenging this time around.

"Somehow it felt much more challenging this time around, but I gave it my best effort," said Lee. "I have another major triathlon coming up in two weeks so this is basically good preparation for that event."

While there were no major incidents, there was one scary moment when American, Nem Pavlovic, was hit from his bike by a car, but fortunately he did not suffer any major injuries.

"I just got up, dusted off myself and got back on the track," said Pavlovic. "The good thing is that I ended up as the winner of the international sprint section."