7 May 2011

Strong line-up entered for 17th Cook Islands Triathlon

10:16 am on 7 May 2011

Nearly one hundred competitors will line up for the annual Cook Islands International Triathlon in Rarotonga tomorrow.

The gruelling course includes a 1-point-5 kilometre swim in Muri lagoon, a 41 kilometre cycle around the island and a 10 kilometre run.

The President of the Cook Island's Triathlon Association, Geoff Stoddart, says the number of competitors has almost doubled in the past few years with 92 individual competitors from as far away as the United States poised to line up at the start line tomorrow.

"There's a couple of goodies there. Nathan Richmond - he won the race back in 2005. He's represented New Zealand at the Olympics, I think in 2004. We've got Stephen Farrell, who's a triathlon coach in Auckland, New Zealand. He ranks in his age group - which is over forties age - at world class. I'd give him a good chance of race this weekend."

Geoff Stoddart says they've only had to endure rough conditions once before in the events 17 year history but strong winds are forecast.