The Riyadh Triathletes season began with two exciting races held over the last two weekends. Martin Ball, former champion in 2011, returning from a year off, showed his credentials to reign again in the championship.

The opening biathlon race took place the afternoon of Thursday (April 11) with a 350-meter swim and 3-kilometer run. The race was much anticipated by everyone, racers, family, friends and sponsors Carrefour, Power Horse, 2XU, Sport in Life, Nestle Pure Life, Wolfi’s Bike Shop, Saab and Riyadh Palace Hotel, whose representatives generously supported the athletes.

With a field of more than 50 participants it was the junior athlete Phoebe Lloyd-Evans first out of the pool with a strong performance of 4:34, followed by Craig Vevoda half a minute later at 5:04 and junior Marcus Hills close behind. Fast transitions saw nine racers making it below 45 seconds.

The run served to highlight the class of Ball with the fastest time of only 11:09 for the 3 kilometers enabling him to take first place.

Lloyd-Evans completed an outstanding race finishing in second position overall, only caught by Ball in the final kilometer.

Category B was led by club member Helen Lane. First out of the pool, she was closely followed by Nikoll Long and Jana Jaruskova, 3 and 4 seconds respectively behind.

Her fast transition time (45 seconds) and a strong run increased the difference to more than one and a half minutes over Jana Jaruskova in second place and three minutes over Nikoll Long in third position.

Results Race 1: Biathlon 350m-3km.

Category A: 1st Martin Ball (00:17:04), 2nd Antonio Castellanos (00:18:23), 3rd Nasser Al Mutrad (00:18:41), 4th Alberto Reguero (00:19:28), 5th Alex Carinan (00:19:28), 6th Alistair McDermott (00:20:01).

Category B: 1st Helen Lane (00:22:36), 2nd Jana Jaruskova (00:24:25), 3rd Nikoll Long (00:25:54). Junior: 1st Phoebe Lloyd-Evans (00:17:35), 2nd Marcus Hills (00:18:45), 3rd Cameron Ball (00:19:47).

The second event, held on Friday (April 19), was also a biathlon consisting of a 400 meter swim and 4 kilometer run. The race confirmed that the junior section is strong this season with 10 competing in the field of 60 participants. The club was very pleased to see many new faces, from some complete beginners to the very strong Petr Pospisil.

However, it was Ball whose performance made the fastest time in the swim with 6:07 followed by Michel Fox on 6:19 closely followed by the team Charles-Archer with 6:28. Fast transition again with seven racers below 45 seconds proves whoever wants to win in this season has to have no weak areas.

A four kilometer run of 15:00 allowed Martin to increase his lead over Petr to win in a total time of 21:40. Petr Pospisil finished in second position 1:19 behind with the team Charles/Arche occupying third place closely followed by an impressive performance from junior Cameron Ball for an outstanding fourth position overall.

In Category B, Kate Scott took first place after making light work of the swimming in a time of 6:33 (fourth overall) allowing her to control the distance over Race 1 winner Helen Lane despite her having one of the quickest transitions of the race (40 seconds) and the fastest run in her category. Third position went to Jana Jaruskova proving her consistency in all disciplines.

The junior section arguably produced the outstanding performers. Cameron Ball proved equal to the adults by coming in fourth position overall less than 2 minutes behind the winner.

Jack Miller in his first biathlon and only a day after his 12th birthday came in a remarkable sixth position overall, only 3 minutes behind the overall winner.

Results: Biathlon 400m-4km.

Category A: 1st Martin Ball (00:21:40), 2nd Petr Pospisil (00:22:59), 3rd Charles/Arche Team (00:23:14), 4th Antonio Castellanos (00:23:33), 5th Alex Carinan (00:25:21), 6th Alistair McDermott (00:25:40).

Category B: 1st Kate Scott (00:26:41), 2nd Helen Lane (00:27:22), 3rd Jana Jaruskova (00:31:00).

Junior: 1st Cameron Ball (00:23:30) 2nd Jack Miller (00:24:45), 3rd Joseph Bowers (00:30:19).