Bermudians dominate podium in Florida
There was a Bermudian clean sweep of the podium in a day of impressive displays for the island’s contingent at the Key West Florida Triathlons and Duathlons event at the weekend.
Battling against hot weather and extremely rough seas, Bermudian athletes dominated the Olympic-distance women’s 40-44 age group by taking the top three places. Taking the victory was Christine Stoutter, finishing in 2hr 39min 49sec ahead of compatriots Jenny Lightbourne in 2:51:13 and Hilary Bruce Payne, finishing in 2:53:27.
Meanwhile, Caroline Wright, competing in the women’s 35-39 category, was first out of the water after the swim but ultimately had to settle for a third-place finish, crossing the line in a time of 2:46:01.
There was also strong displays from Elizabeth Stewart and Steve O’Reilly competing in the women’s 45-49 age group and men’s 50-54 age group respectively. Stewart narrowly missed out on victory, finishing second in 2:43:58, while O’Reilly took fourth in his race, crossing the line in 2:33:56.
In the sprint distance category, Martin Bolton clinched a third-place finish in the men’s 65-69 age group in a time of 1:41:30, while Mel Sousa finished a promising eleventh out of 28 competitors in the women’s 40-44 age group in a time of 1:53:15 in what was only her third triathlon.
Results
OLYMPIC DISTANCE
Women’s 35-39 age group
Caroline Wright 2:46:01
Women’s 40-44 age group
Christine Soutter 2:39:49
Jenny Lightbourne 2:51:13
Hilary Bruce Payne 2:53:27
Women’s 45-49 age group
Elizabeth Stewart 2:43:58
Men’s 50-54 age group
Steve O’Reilly 2:33:56
SPRINT DISTANCE
Women’s 40-44 age group
Mel Sousa 1:53:15
Men’s 65-69 age group
Martin Bolton