Triathletes ready to cross the channel

More than a month has passed since some of the world’s best triathletes swam, biked, and ran all over Saipan during the XTERRA Saipan Championship and the 17th Tagaman Triathlon, and now it’s time for local multi-sport mavens to pack their transition bags for an off-island trip for the next race on the schedule.

The recent channel crossing by members of the Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club over the weekend will not be the last trip to Tinian by Saipan’s athletes as members of the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation are prepping for the 7th Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon.

After organizers of the KFC Triathlon Club opted to postpone the race this past February, Onishi said that he plans to bring a group of more than 100 competitors to make their way to the CNMI from Japan as a result changing the date to June 10.

Two years ago 43 triathletes completed the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike, and 10-km run, but like all of the triathlons in the CNMI, the Tinian course offers unique challenges that test the wills of the most hardened racers. After finishing the beautifully clear swim atop 40-foot waves, the triathletes hop their bicycles and take off toward the top of Suicide Cliff, race back to the beach, start the ascent to the airport, and do the whole thing all over again.

After zipping down from the airport hill for the second time, the racers cinch up the laces and run up the hill three miles towards Suicide Cliff before turning around for the final stretch to the finish line above Taga Beach.

Last year, Masayuki Matsumaru raced to his third consecutive victory in the 6th Annual Tinian Turquoise Triathlon by traversing the swim, bike, and run in a time of 2:03:52—besting a field of competitors from Japan, Tinian, Saipan, and Guam.

The CNMI contingent also made a good showing, as the president of the NMITF Dirk Sharer was the first male finisher from Saipan to cross the line at the 2:25:07 mark, while Dawn Hammermeister was the first female to reach the beach at 2:51:01.

The cost to participate in this year’s event is $60 for racers who register by Tuesday, May 23, and $90 for those who miss the early bird deadline. For two-person teams the cost is $100 and $150 for three-person teams. Entry forms are available at the Marianas Visitors Authority and more information can be obtained by calling 664-3210.