Cook Islands Triathlon Association was overjoyed with the turnout at the 2025 BSP and KPMG Team Triathlon held on Saturday.

The first open event of the year saw many teams on the starting line at the Tikioki Tri Site, battling in hot and humid conditions.

The short course team triathlon event consisted of a 200-metre swim, an 8-kilometre cycle and a 2km run. 

There were two separate categories, one for teams where each person did the whole event once and the other for teams who split the disciplines and had a dedicated swimmer, a cyclist and a runner. 

“The atmosphere was fantastic with support being shouted for everyone all afternoon,” said Roland Neururer, the president of the Cook Islands Triathlon Association.

“It was superb to see old timer Kelly Pick coming out of the water first, with a few athletes on her heel, closely followed by the leading pack who quickly tagged their team mates for the cycle leg, or transitioned themselves onto their bikes.”

Each team undertook the whole triathlon three times. The first teams to finish were in the individual disciplines, “Tri Hard” comprising Andrew Menzies, Jacob Pynenburg and Brooke Ross, in a time of 1:27:44 hours.

The top slot on the All-Discipline category went to “Three P’s in a squad” made up of our junior team, the Postrzgacz family of Maya, Olivia and Edmund, in a time of 1:37:38.

“Congratulation needs to go out to our two junior teams all the way from Aitutaki,” Neururer said.

In total, there were 23 teams of three who worked hard in the hot sun, many enjoying the sport of triathlon for the first time, Neururer added.

“We even had a two-person team doing the entire run race in flip flops and still came second home.”

Cook Islands Triathlon Association would like to thank the event sponsors BSP, KPMG and The Bond Store for their generous support, The Raina Family for the use of the Enua Manea Hall and grounds and the marshals who gave their time to keep all the participants safe on the roads.

“You are very much appreciated, thank you,” Neururer said

The upcoming major events in the CITAI calendar are The Paradise Supplies Kids Triathlon on March 1, The BSP Women’s Tri on March 23, Maori Auri Tinman on April 12 and the Air New Zealand Rarotonga Triathlon on May 3, 2025. 

Meanwhile, the Cook Islands Triathlon Association meets every Thursdays at 5pm and Saturdays at 3pm at the Tikioki Tri site. 

“Everyone is encouraged to come and participate, as a team or individually.   There is always a very supportive and encouraging atmosphere and participation is encouraged,” Neururer said.

“Those who wish to race in a semi competitive environment will always find others with whom they can have a friendly competition, and those who prefer to participate in a more relaxed way are also very much encouraged to come along and join in.”

For all events entries and weekly training, visit www.rarotri.com. For weekly newsletter, send an email to fb1@edgewater.co.ck.