NEW NATIONAL CHAMPIONS – CHRISTIAN HIDALGO & JOHANNA MURPHY
After a Hurricane Irma induced “Gap Year” the BVI National Sprint Championship returned on a new course on Beef Island.
The start line featured a brave mix of hardened storm survivors and fresh faces ready to take on the triple challenge of a Well Bay swim, the headwinds of airport road, and a nostalgic run on the roads and trails of the island.
As in previous years Shane Donovan and Tash Ruscheinski dominated the swim leg with Antony Spencer a distant third followed by the Majorcan Matador Christian Hidalgo, the triathlon twins Dan Mitchell & Aaron Gardner and ace cyclist Johanna Murphy. Whilst competitors headed for their bicycles, Sarah Bolt finding the 850metre swim a bit short for her liking freestyled off to the airport bridge putting in some seriously impressive aquatic mileage.
Shane cycled hard at the front, and the massively improved reigning champion Dan Mitchell scythed through the field on his bicycle closely followed by the speedy Johanna who seized the lead in the ladies event from Tash. Despite their efforts Christian proved the class of the field flying by the competition leaving all-comers in his slipstream.
Leaping from his bicycle Christian blazed off around the run leg winning comfortably with Johanna winning the ladies from Tash with Sarah coming in a brave third. Shane ran determinedly but was agonisingly caught on the last climb by Dan with Aaron finishing a super smooth fourth.
A Deloitte team of Tash, Aurelie and Martin won the team event.
| TOTAL TIME | Swim Finish | Bike Finish | Bike Time | Bike Finish | Run Time | Run Finish | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Mens | |||||||
| 1 | Christian Hidalgo | 1:10:01 | 0:15:33 | 0:48:29 | 0:32:56 | 0:48:29 | 0:21:32 | 1:10:01 |
| 2 | Dan Mitchell | 1:15:03 | 0:17:05 | 0:52:23 | 0:35:18 | 0:52:23 | 0:22:40 | 1:15:03 |
| 3 | Shane Donavan | 1:15:35 | 0:13:26 | 0:50:34 | 0:37:08 | 0:50:34 | 0:25:01 | 1:15:35 |
| 4 | Aaron Gardener | 1:22:36 | 0:16:18 | 0:55:51 | 0:39:33 | 0:55:51 | 0:26:45 | 1:22:36 |
| 5 | Antony Spencer | DNF | 0:14:28 | 0:51:40 | 0:37:12 | 0:51:40 | DNF | DNF |
| Place | Ladies | |||||||
| 1 | Johanna Murphy | 1:15:54 | 0:17:08 | 0:53:01 | 0:35:53 | 0:53:01 | 0:22:53 | 1:15:54 |
| 2 | Natasha Ruscheinski | 1:20:12 | 0:13:29 | 0:54:06 | 0:40:37 | 0:54:06 | 0:26:06 | 1:20:12 |
| 3 | Sarah Bolt | 1:50:44 | 0:31:45 | 1:18:49 | 0:47:04 | 1:18:49 | 0:31:55 | 1:50:44 |
| Place | Team | |||||||
| 1 | Tash-Aurelie-Martin | 1:30:59 | 0:13:29 | 1:01:25 | 0:47:56 | 0:29:34 | 1:30:59 |
