The Cook Islands Triathlon Ariki Adventures Raro Challenge saw a thrilling victory for experienced triathletes Roland Neururer and Jason Moorfield, who set a new course record.

The weather on Saturday was almost perfect for the Cook Islands Triathlon Ariki Adventures Raro Challenge which was being held for the fourth consecutive year.

Six teams of two people lined up on the beach in front of Enua Manea Hall and at 8am prompt the epic day started.

A favourable current and brisk tailwind combined to give fast paddling conditions for the 5.7 kilometre Stand Up Paddle Board section of the race.  With the 12 competitors starting at a brisk pace, it was triathlete legend Kelly Pick who set the pace as she raced towards the Sheraton. The more favoured line of close to shore also saw Roland Neururer pull into a comfortable second place behind Pick with the rest of the field close as they battled it out.

A couple of capsizes for Andrew Menzies saw him drop behind his teammate Paul Dobinson but he was able to get back on his board quickly to continue the race.

Visibility in the lagoon was perfect and competitors reported paddling past plenty of fish and rays on their boards. Most competitors were very close together throughout the entire Sup course.

The battle between all male teams David Street with Gabe Raymond and the team of Neururer and Jason Moorfield was already proving excitement with Raymond losing balance at one point and ending up in the water. He too was quick to get back on his board to resume the race.

With very quick transitions, the top three teams set out for the run leg. From the water the teams headed inland, up to the Waterfall and commenced the Cross Island Track for a run or scramble across the island.

The track was slippery with the recent rain and a light drizzle kept the course challenging. Heading into the bush first was the team of Pick and Adrianna Skurosz with Moorfield and Neururer close behind.

On the slippery track down, Street and Raymond shot to the front and clocked the fastest run for the day of 1:01:29 hours.

Teams left the Avatiu Valley transition area for a short downhill before they hit one of the steepest hills of the day. This is where the lead changed, Pick and Skurosz and Street and Raymond got to the top of the hill tied for first place. From there, Tereora College hill saw a big shift with Neururer and Moorfield clawing back the two lead teams to take the lead.

This proved to be the clincher as the very strong team and experience of Neururer and Moorfield never took their foot off the gas and further extended their lead to end up winning the overall race and setting a new course record of 4:32:46 hours.

For the ladies. the winners were Pick and Skurosz, also setting a record of 4:53:10 hours.

Cook Islands Triathlon president Neururer said: “After a massive day in the heat and with a punishing course it was great to see all competitors giving it their all. Andrew Menzies completed the course after only returning on island the night before from a trip to Europe and Travis Edwards completing the whole course for the first time with minimal training and preparation.”

“This is truly a unique race which tests both physical and mental toughness, to complete this is an outstanding achievement and one which should not be taken lightly. Everyone who has finished this course has undertaken something very special.”

Cook Islands Triathlon Association wishes to thank Ariki Adventures for their very generous sponsorship of the race for the fourth consecutive year, supporting sponsors The Bond Store and Vaima Water, Ride Rarotonga, and the Raina Family for the use of the land at Enua Manea Hall.

• CITAI