By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was a repeat performance for Malcolm Menzies and Erin Pritchard as they repeated as the male and female champions at the Bahamas Triathlon Association’s National Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships over the weekend.

Competing at Jaws Beach on Sunday, the 16-year-old Menzies, who is in the 11th grade at Windsor High School, captured the men’s sprint distance triathlon title over Rodrigo Teixeira and Grand Bahamian Ayden Bain.

The 17-year-old Pritchard, on the other hand, clinched the female title with Sienna Culmer-Mackey and Sarah Farriingtton coming in second and third respectively.

In completing the swim in nine minutes and 58 seconds, the bike ride in 31:30 and the run in 20:12 for his overall victory in 1:02:19, Menzies said it was a good opportunity for him to display his skills in a very organised event.

“I am very pleased with my result on the weekend. Lots of hard work paid off this weekend,” he said. “This is now my second time being national champion. My first was last year. 

“Everyone on the start line gave a lot of effort and pushed me to do the best I could during the race. I was confident going into the race. I trusted my hard work and coaching from my coach Marcos who has helped me improve a lot in these past couple of months.”

Pritchard, home from Millfield Boarding school in England where she’s in the 11th grade, completed the swim in 13:06, the bike ride in 37:45 and the run in 30:33 for her total time of 1:22:21.

“The competition was fun with a good atmosphere and I was surrounded by my friends and family who cheered and supported me and the other competitors throughout the course,” she said.

“We were lucky to not have much sea lice in the swim, although the bike course had some windy areas it wasn’t too bad, However the run was really really hot so I was happy when I got to the end.”

Pirchard admitted that her performance “wasn’t what I had hoped for”, but she said she now knows the areas she needs to improve in looking forward to her training. 

Lori Roach, president of the BTA, said they were able to attract athletes from 8-60 years. and of all skill levels took to the waters and roads this past weekend in a thrilling display of strength, stamina, and sportsmanship at the annual BTA National Championships for Triathlon and Aquathlon.

The two-day event drew 100 participants from Nassau, Exuma and Freeport for what has become a highlight of the local sporting calendar. 

Athletes 16 and over competed in sprint distances with shorter distances for youth athletes pushing their physical limits in the combined disciplines of swimming, cycling, and running.

Saturday’s aquathlon had competitors plunging into the crystal-clear ocean for a grueling open-water swim, followed by a footrace to the finish line, according to Roach. 

Sunday featured the triathlon – a combination of swimming, biking and running – and saw a particularly strong turnout from youth as this event is a qualifier for the National Carifta Team.

“We’re incredibly proud of everyone who took part – whether they were racing to win or just racing to finish,” Roach said. “This weekend was about challenging yourself and having fun.”

The BTQ is now preparing to select its national team to compete in the CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon will be held in Tobago from August 22-24.

Both Menzies and Pritchard have indicated that they are looking forward to representing The Bahamas at CARIFTA.

Roach expressed her gratitude to their sponsors, including Powerade, Dasani, Bahamas Waste, Cycles Unlimited and McVities.

Here’s a look at the final results from the event:

Kids 9-10 Aquathlon - Caiden Bain, 27:47. Gabriael McPhee, 32:30.

Kids 11-12 - Lyall Menzies, 10:39; Stafford Sweeting, 19:47; Maximillian Van Der, 2:35; Fraser Menzies, 20:39; Anthony Knowles III, 23:10.

Kids 13-15 - Lauchlan Menzies, 36:11; Torion Turner, 37:56; Sibby Fynn Potter, 39:24; Ta-Naj Pratt, 40:48; Thomas Fox, 42:16.

Men’s Sprint Triathlon - Malcom Menzies, 1:02:19; Rodrigo Teixeira, 1:07:27; Ayden Bain, 1:12:19; Barron Musgrove Jr, 1:14:03; Gregory Metrailler, 1:14:45.

Female Sprint Triathlon - Erin Pritchard, 1:22:21; Sienna Culmer-Mackey, 1:27:38; Sarah Farrington, 1:40:47; Anjaleah Knowles, 1:46:37; Syreta Roberts-Bourn, 1:56:51; Sanchia Fitzmaurice, no time available.

All female relay - The Tri-Tans - Alice Le Roux, Lynn Pritchard, Suzy Eneas - 1:22:32.

All male relay - RJK Tri-Force - Ragh Cordova, Jay Major, Kyro Brown - 1:08:53.

Mixed team relay - Blue Side Up - Mark Roberts, Hailey Roberts, Abbey Paige - 1:27:31; Help. We’re Lost - Aaron Tait, Aaron Tait, Tilly Vanders - 1:30:54. Swim, Bike, Run - Sanchia Fitzmaurice, Laurent Duplat, Louise Read - 1:32:44.