SPORTS BRIEFS

9-ball and 8-ball tournaments at Top Pool Bar

Top Pool Bar is inviting billiards players of all shapes and sizes to its 9-ball tournament every Saturday and 8-ball tournament every Friday.

Saturday’s games start at 8pm with the two hours prior to the competition reserved for practice (two tables). Entry fee is $10 with the winner taking hope $100, runner-up $50, and third place free entry in the following week’s contest.

Top Pool Bar’s 8-ball tournament every Friday also begins at 8pm. The hour before the games are reserved for practice (two tables).

There is no entry fee and the winner walks away with $50, second place an hour-long free practice, and third place gets 30 minutes of free practice.

The 9-ball competition uses a single elimination format, while the 8-ball tourney is a double-elimination affair.

For more information about the 9-ball and 8-ball competitions at Top Pool Bar, call Zheng Jian Qing at 233-6999 or 287-7676.

2006 Mahi Derby set on March 11

The Saipan Fishermen’s Association, in cooperation with Gatorade, Pepsi, and Miller Lite, will be holding the 2006 Mahi Derby on March 11 off the waters of the CNMI.

A total $5,000 are up for grabs for winners of three categories—Biggest Fish, Total Weight, and Most Fish.

First place in the Biggest Fish category takes home $1,500, second place bags $1,000, while the third place winner gets $500.

Total Weight nets $1,000, which is the same amount of money to be awarded to the winner of the Most Fish category. Each of the winners will also win in-kind prizes.

The clock for participants of the derby starts at 6am on March 11 and expires exactly 11 hours later at 5pm.

Registration is set as early as Friday, March 10, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, at the Smiling Cove Marina. Those who missed the early registration can still sign up on derby day, Saturday, March 11, 5:30am, also at the Smiling Cove Marina.

Organizers also want to send their special thanks to Pacifica Insurance, Marianas Visitors Authority, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife for making the event possible.

For more information about the 2006 Mahi Derby, call Frank Tudela at 664-3200.

Isla Triathlon calls to Saipan

The Guam Isla Tri will be held on March 11 beginning at the Merizo Pier on Guam.

The triathlon will consist of a 1.5-kilometer swim course, a 40-km bike course, and a 10-km run course around Merizo village, towards Inarajan, and onto the finish.

The cost to participate in the race is $75, which includes pre and post race dinner, T-shirt, swim cap, race bag, and USA Triathlon one-day license of $9 per person.

Guam Isla Tri offers teams the chance to compete in the race. The team rate of $210 is good through Saturday, March 4, but late fees increase the cost of the individual and team registration to $100 and $300, respectively.

For more information about the Guam Isla Tri, visit the event website at eteamz.active.com/2004islatriathlon/.

Window closing on XTERRA discount

With only a month and change remaining before more than 150 extreme triathletes line up along Micro Beach to start the 5th Annual XTERRA Saipan Championship, the window for them to save on their entry fee is about to close.

With its 1.5-kilometer swim in the choppy waters off of Micro Beach, 30-km mountain bike trek that twice takes riders up to Mount Tapochau, 12-km jungle trail that passes through bamboo forests, caves, and ravines, the hometown event billed as the “Crown Jewel” of XTERRA is one of the most challenging races on the planet.

As if the distances weren’t big enough, in just a couple of days it will become a little bit more expensive as well. Currently the XTERRA Saipan Championship that will play host to all of the champions in the history of the race and a number of professional triathletes from around the world is open for racers at a cost of $99 per person.

In order to save a few bills before taking a few spills, slow-twitchers need to act fast as the reduced rate is only good until tomorrow, Feb. 28, when it jumps to $125. To take advantage of the discounted rates, call Ann at Team Unlimited at 1-877-751-8880.

Applications are also available at the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Saipan Tribune, and Saipan Bike Pro on Beach Road, and while the deadline for mail in applications is March 24 on-site entries will be limited to the availability of slots.

The XTERRA Saipan Championship is not the only big happening on the local multisport scene, as a week later endurance aficionados will push their limits with a 2-km swim behind the Pacific Islands Club, a 60-km bike ride from San Antonio to Bird Island Lookout to Garapan, and a grueling 15-km run along the Beach Pathway and through the American Memorial Park in the 17th Tagaman Triathlon.

For more information about this year’s Tagaman, contact Frank Tudela at MVA by calling 664-3210.