The Cook Islands Triathlon Association held the very popular BSP Women’s Triathlon on Saturday.

Association president Roland Neururer said the event drew a good number of competitors and spectators to the Triathlon Site at the Enua Manea Hall in Titikaveka.

“It was a sunny and glorious afternoon on the land, however the conditions were very hot and humid, strong current, this made the day very difficult, especially for the swim and 4km run leg,” Neururer reported.

First out of the water was the newest swimming star, Liana Chan, who competed in a team AJ’s Angels, closely followed by her friend Olivia Postrzygacz and Adrianna Skurosz.

Onto the bike and Alyce Nicholson showed her strength and recorded the fastest bike time of the day.  

From the bike the ladies transitioned to the 4km run, which also saw some very fast times being clocked up. Brooke Ross blitzed the 4km run in 16:41 minutes and was crowned the new BSP Women’s Champion for 2025.

In the team event, first across the line this year was AJ’s Angels, of Liana Chan, Alyce Nicholson and Pip Hansen, in a very fast time of 52:53 minutes – 1 minute and 10 seconds off the record set in 2021.

Neururer said: “It was so fantastic to see so many women taking part in hot conditions, particularly those for whom this was their first ever triathlon.”

“Giving it a go is what it’s all about and putting together a team, or having the courage to tackle the whole event individually is a big achievement for all our ladies. 

“Sincere thanks go to BSP and The Bond Store for their generous sponsorship, as well as the Raina Family for use of the land at Enua Manea Hall and to all the volunteers who happily gave their afternoon to co-ordinate, set up and marshal the race and ensure that this was, as always, a hugely enjoyable and successful afternoon.”

The next big race will be the annual local championship, Maori Auri Tin Man, where competitors need to compete in 1200 metres swim, cycle 31km and run 10km. This can be done as an individual or as a team. The race will be held on April 12.