FEATURE STORY
Saturday morning and it ’ s race-day on Hamilton Island . The undulating landscape of Hamilton Island ’ s interior , of which 70 % is preserved , and surrounding turquoise waters offer the perfect setting for the event ’ s competitive 750 metre swim in Catseye Bay , a 20km cycle around the southern part of Hamilton Island encompassing the airport runway , and a 5km run around the marina and resort sides of Hamilton Island finishing on the beautiful Catseye Beach .
Defending champion Jake Birtwhistle powered into the lead on the bike and then ran away from the field to claim his second straight Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon . Rising star Jed Boxall led the field from the water but Birtwhistle ( who has enjoyed a breakout year ) quickly powered to the front on the testing bike course . Rio Olympian Ryan Bailie impressed the crowd riding a ‘ fixie ’ after he had a mechanical issue , and could not change gears but conquered the difficult cycle course regardless . Natalie van Coevorden was also coming into the event after the best year of her career and defeated world number six Charlotte McShane with a killer swim-bike combination . Junior star Sophie Malowiecki benefitted from racing with the elites and after emerging from the water alongside McShane , was able to hang on for a gallant third place .
Saturday afternoon concluded with the kids ‘ tips n tricks ’ clinic , led by Stephen Moss and Mike Clucas , again assisted by the pro ’ s . They covered all the basics in transition , to mounting and dismounting – it clearly settled a lot of nerves ahead of the junior tri the following morning . The weekend really offered something for the whole family , with events and distances for all ages .
Sunday morning kicked off with the junior Tri and Splash n Dash . There was great support out on the course for the kids as they raced hard in warm conditions . Later that morning it was time for the Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim . Due to unsafe weather conditions at Whitehaven the swim was moved to Catseye Beach – not a bad contingency to have up your sleeve ! With 750m and 2km distances available , Catseye Beach was packed with lots of familiar faces from over the weekend , heading out together for one last hit out . The atmosphere was great for the final event of the weekend and it was inevitable that Olympic champion Mack Horton would steal the show .
For those still on Hamilton Island on Monday morning there was the opportunity to kick start their week by taking part in the Dent Island Dash . Taking place at the beautiful Hamilton Island Golf Club , on neighboring Dent Island participants chose between the front nine ( 4.5km ), back nine or the complete 18-hole journey ( 9km ). Everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast included at the finish line too .
Upon reluctantly leaving Hamilton Island on Monday afternoon , it was an opportunity to reflect on a weekend that offered everything you could want from an event . The detail and execution of the weekend was first class , the setting spoke for itself and the intimate feel and friendly atmosphere of the island combined to make this one of the world ’ s bucket list triathlons . The whole visit was an indulgence . From the moment we arrived and got off the plane , the landscape and activities and the food was a delight . Multisport Magazine will certainly be back next year ! For further information on the series visit www . hamiltonisland . com . au / sportsevents / endurance-series .
THE HAMILTON ISLAND ENDURANCE SERIES
THE HAMILTON HILLY MARATHON | SUNDAY 30TH APRIL 2017 GREAT WHITEHAVEN BEACH RUN | SUNDAY 18TH JUNE 2017 FUJIFILM HAMILTON ISLAND TRIATHLON | SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2017 FUJIFILM WHITEHAVEN BEACH OCEAN SWIM | SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2017
PHOTOS : HAMILTON ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY
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