Saturday afternoon was hot and sunny for the Cook Islands Triathlon annual Paradise Supplies Kids’ Tri event.

Over 30 kids mingled excitedly at the Tikioki Tri site, racking their bikes and getting helmets, goggles and trainers ready for their big afternoon.  For many this was their first adventure into the world of triathlon, while for others it was their chance to compete against their friends in a race which was purely for their age group.

The event’s youngest category age 9 and under took part either individually or in a team in a 100 metre swim, 3 kilometre bike ride and 1km run.  The older children age 10-12 and 13-16 raced a 200m swim, 5km bike ride and 2km run.

The competition was fast and frenetic from the start, the lagoon was at high tide and some swell made conditions a little tricky for our youngest swimmers who were all remarkable and showed great skills in swimming the 100m distance.

First out of the water was Jordan Rossouw followed closely by Harlan Tansley, and Aroko Kirkwood, and onto the bikes, remembering a helmet and with lots of encouragement the little legs spun through a 3km cycle. In the girls division, Shalders was the fastest on the bike and once they were through that there was a hot 1km run to the finish.

Rossouw took out the win for the boys with Harlan Tansley in second and a tie for third place between Cole Barnett and Mahe Wyatt.  In the girl’s race, Fleur Fenick had a very fast run, but not quite quick enough to catch Shalders who won for the under 9 girls with Fenick in second place.  In the teams division, Team YAK dominated each leg to bring home the win, with team Penauts in second and BFF Power in third.

For the older kids racing the longer course competition was a family affair in the 13-16-year-old girls race with elder sister Maya Postrzygacz holding off strong competition from younger Olivia to take the win for the fourth consecutive year.  Edmund Postrzygacz flew round the course to win the boys age 10-12 race and Nikita McDonald held off a strong charge from Ara Wyatt to earn the 10-12 girls’ title. 

The day was an amazing success and Cook Islands Triathlon Association extends very grateful thanks to all the marshals and volunteers who gave their time to ensure the safety of our kids and the smooth  running of the event.  Also to the Raina family for the use of the land, and the sponsors Paradise Supplies, Vaima Water and the Empire Cinema who donated very generous prizes and covered all of the costs to ensure that this is a free event for our children.  Finally to Uncle Tom’s BBQ who provided free sausages to all our competitors at the finish.

The next big triathlon competition is the Annual BSP Women’s Triathlon on March 25.  The distances are 400m swim, 16km cycle and 4km run.  This can be completed individually or in a team.  This race is a special one for the ladies and always a firm favourite in the calendar.  All ladies encouraged to come and give it a go on your own or in a team with friends, registrations are open via the website www.rarotri.com/events.

• Cook Islands Triathlon