The 2012 BVI Steelman, an Olympic distance triathlon and the most challenging event on the BVI Triathlon Federation calendar, will take place at Beef Island on Saturday, November 10. The event, open to 3-person teams as well as individuals, comprises a 1500 metre swim held in Well Bay, a 25-mile bike leg lapping the road from the airport to the ramparts of Beef Island Bridge, and ends in a six-mile run along the roads and trails of Beef Island heading towards Minines.
In last year’s event, Antony Spencer took the Men’s title of most steely from 2010 winner Chris Ghiorse with a time of 2:38:34 beating him by 4 minutes and 39 seconds; Thomas Layer from St Thomas was third, a mere 17 seconds behind Chris. However, Antony’s time was considerably off Chris’s 2010 winning time of 2:32:07. The current course record of 2:27:03 was set in the 2008 event by Chris Ghiorse.
Sally Blackmore won the Women’s division with a time of 2:49:45, also beating the 2010 winner Kay Reddy, by 2 minutes and 13 seconds. Jessica Broderick was third. Top team was Broadsword Cutting Edge which completed the course in 2:15:08, with a very fast bike time set by Orano Andrews.
The 2012 race starts at 2.45pm on Well Bay beach, swimmers exit at the ramp near the airport runway where the bike transition area will be set up. The transition to the run, and finish, will be on the grass by the little wooden bridge that crosses to Trellis Bay.
The race is draft legal in accordance with Olympic Games rules and so aerobars and triathlon bikes with aerobars are not allowed.
Registration will take place at the Tortola Sports Club on Friday November 9, 5.30-6.30pm. Entry fee is $20 for individuals and $75 for teams and includes official event t-shirt(s) and delicious BBQ on the beach at Trellis Bay after the race.