Wight Tri held the first of the Winter Duathlon Series events, the Colwell Caulker. This year the events are being supported and sponsored by Cut Laser Cut, providing all competitors with an engraved memento, depicting the individually events, as well as a trophy for the winner of the nominated timed event.
The 27 competitors had a choice of an out and back run, from the transition area at Colwell Bay along the seawall to Totland Bay and back for the short 2.6km run or continue along to the Lifeboat station and climb up the steps into Totland to return for the 4.1km run.
The cycle routes were equally demanding as both courses started with the climb towards Alum Bay hairpin, then back towards Freshwater. The 16km short course turned left at Freshwater Bay and followed the main road via Totland back to Colwell Bay. The 26km long course continued up the Afton Climb taking in the undulating course along the Military road and turning left up Brook Shute to then turn left again along the middle road and main roads back into transition.

1st in the nominated timed event was Anne Dines who completed the short course in 1:18:11, just 11 seconds outside her nominated time. 2nd was Craig Wilson, 1 min 20 secs outside his nominated time of 1:30:00 for the long course with new member, Joe Tigwell 3rd, in 1:26 inside his nominated time, finishing in 1:48:34 for the long course.
The fastest male and female competitors for the short course were Mandy Womack (1:07:30) and Adam Younger (58:18) and for the long course Nina French (1:46:36) and Sean Williams (1:24:15). 1st team was Tom George and Abigail Sollars in 1:22:49.

Wight Tri would like to thank Russ Mellor of Cut Laser Cut for his generous support for the provision of all the trophies for the Wight Tri Winter Duathlon Series. Also, thanks to organiser, John Gardiner and all the marshals and timekeepers, especially the 4 marshals, who just turned up on the day from the ERASMUS Program and helped out at their first social event.
The next event in the Wight Tri Winter Duathlon Series is the Carisbrooke Duathlon on the 24th November. Further details available from the Events Page or the Wight Tri Facebook page.

Results     Run – 2.6km / 4.1km, Bike – 16km/26km