St Kitts & Nevis’ Douglas adds name to Wadadli Tinman list

By Antigua OBSERVER

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – One of the Caribbean’s most successful triathletes has now been added to the growing list of high profile names slated for the Digicel Wadadli Tinman on January 29, 2012.

St Kitts & Nevis star Rasta triathlete Reginald “Reggie” Douglas will now join Argentina’s Claudio Delpueche in focussing the attention of the world’s triathlon community on Antigua & Barbuda for its maiden half-iron distance triathlon.

The 34-year-old Douglas is a five-time national champion, four-time OECS champion, several times sportsman of the year and has competed at both the Ironman 70.3 World Championship and Cycling World Championships.
In a sport where the last two world champions won at the age of 38, Douglas is just entering the prime of his career and plans to use the Digicel Wadadli Tinman as the start of what he plans on making his most successful season yet.

“Next year is looking like a very positive year for me sponsor-wise; so next year I will be doing a lot more travelling and the Tinman is my first event,” Douglas said.

  He has spent several years promoting St Kitts & Nevis at different international races that he has attended and now he hopes to bring some of the international spotlight to the island he considers his second home.
“During my adventure at the World Championship when I told people I am from Nevis and I tell them how big is the island, some of the guys staying in the hotel with us were laughing at us. But when they see me up there with them on the bike, they stop laughing,” Douglas said.

“My whole family is from Antigua, so Antigua is more like my second home. I was only born in Nevis,” Douglas added.

The accomplished triathlete also highlighted the importance of the Digicel Wadadli Tinman in inspiring future triathletes from the region.

“It’s good to know that there is such an event close by in the neighbourhood and we need to see more of these events around the Caribbean that will be easy to get to and you don’t have to travel all the way to the US,” Douglas said.

 
The triathlete added that there is an untold potential for developing future world-beaters in the sport and offered the story of his humble beginnings in the sport as an example.

“As a young boy, I grew up on the beach so I always could swim and I actually started out as a mountain biker and there used to be an event called the Caribbean Cup … but then mountain biking started to drizzle out,” Douglas recalled.

“We heard over in St Kitts they were having a triathlon. I knew nothing about it … just two of us in the team could swim, but not with the technique and everything,” Douglas said.

“The guys would beat us out of the water, but we found we would catch up on the bike and I used to be a long distance runner in school so all three came together and I just stuck with it and it took me a lot of places,” Douglas said.

Douglas’ best performance came in 2007 for the second time he attempted the St Croix half-ironman, where out of a field of more than 1,000 of the best competitors from across the planet, he placed eighth in his age group and 20th overall, qualifying him for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

The Digicel Wadadli Tinman is a unique sporting challenge where competitors in four sports – swimming, cycling, running and triathlon compete over a gruelling 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile cycle and 13.1-mile run.

The Digicel Wadadli Tinman is made possible by support from its sponsors Digicel, OBSERVER Media Group, American University of Antigua (AUA), Xtreme Health and Fitness, Cedars Pottery and Adventure Antigua.

This event is hosted by Wadadli Triathlon Club and endorsed by Antigua & Barbuda Triathlon (ABTRI) Association and Ministry of Sports.

Competition Getting Tougher for the Digicel Wadadli Tinman

The level of competition for the first ever Digicel Wadadli Tinman half-iron distance triathlon has stepped up a notch with the confirmed attendance of one of Argentina’s most accomplished triathletes.

Claudio Alejandro Delpueche has spent the last 25 years of his life traversing the globe bagging numerous titles in the upwards of 400 races that he has competed in across 40 countries. Having competed in every distance available from sprint triathlons to the ultimate Ironman distance, the pro-triathlete has declared the half-iron distance his favoured and strongest event.

 Now he has his sights firmly set on Antigua and Barbuda’s half-iron distance race and is among the favourites to be crowned the first ever Digicel Wadadli Tinman.

Delpueche explained that his decision to come to the island originated from a chance meeting at the ALBA games in Venezuela with two of Antigua’s top triathletes; Wayne Henry and Andre Simon.

“It was a great opportunity to meet athletes from Antigua and Barbuda months ago. It was so great that I started working with them also. To see the work and dedication on their part was motivation to be part of what those athletes are and be in the event and make us one triathlete more” Delpueche said.

Delpueche, who has since been coaching several national triathletes in preparation for the gruelling Digicel Wadadli Tinman in January, has spent the last 15 years of his career juggling a coaching and a competitive career in the sport.

 As a coach, Claudio’s achievements include; currently having two triathletes in the highest global circuit and recently the classification of a Paraguayan triathlete to the Pan American Games. His coaching career has also taken him places he would not have expected and given him a taste of the glamorous Hollywood life.

“During my time in California I had the great opportunity to work in Hollywood with several actors including No Doubt, and Real Andrews (who played Marcus Tagger in General Hospital). They both managed to complete the Ironman world championship in Hawaii twice” Delpueche said.

“Currently I am training and compete with Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, Maxine Bahns, Alexandra Paul (Baywatch), Jose Solano (Baywatch) and many more. Today there are many actors involved in the sport and my favourite event is in San Diego, CA the Challenge Athlete Foundation Half Ironman, where many actors and celebrity of different sports get together for a great cause” Delpueche said.

Organizer of the Digicel Wadadli Tinman Cleofoster Harris said the Argentinian’s presence is a massive boost to the event in its inaugural year.

“I know last year St. Kitts and Nevis brought down the then reigning Ironman World Champion Chris “Macca” McCormack to race there. They have been doing triathlons there for several years now, so for us to have one of Argentina’s finest athletes come to Antigua in the first year of this race is pretty amazing. And word is, there might be more coming” Harris revealed.

The experienced athlete is also hoping to lend his vast coaching experience to the development of triathlon in the country during his stay and the Antigua and Barbuda Triathlon Association is working on arrangements for Claudio to run a coaching course off the back of the Digicel Wadadli Tinman.

 It’s something the Argentinian is excited for and he’s confident the talent is available on the island to develop world beaters.

“The triathlon is new in the Caribbean, and is new sport in world, in the past I participated in other training programs which lead to several top-level triathletes in the world.  New blood is something that you find in the Caribbean and like Jason Wilson from Barbados (who placed 7^th at the recent Pan American Games) there will be others that will be appear and have the opportunity to” Delpueche said.

“It’s thanks to events such as the Digicel Wadadli Tinman which will lead to and motivate new triathletes and new opportunities…. and having the opportunity will motivate more kids to get involved and succeed as a person, athlete, plus the organisation and the entire country will just be proud. Best wishes and see you in the beach... where the triathlons start!” Delpueche said.

 The Digicel Wadadli Tinman is a unique sporting challenge where competitors in four sports; swimming, cycling, running and triathlon compete over a gruelling 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile cycle and 13.1 mile run on January 29^th 2012.

The Digicel Wadadli Tinman is made possible by support from its sponsors; Digicel, the Observer Media Group, the American University of Antigua (AUA), Xtreme Health and Fitness, Cedars Pottery and Adventure Antigua. This event is hosted by the Wadadli Triathlon Club and endorsed by the Antigua and Barbuda Triathlon (ABTRI) Association and Ministry of Sports.

Additional excerpts from the interview conducted with Claudio by the Wadadli Triathlon Club are shown below:

1.      What's your Name? Age? And where are you from?

Claudio Alejandro Delpueche, 40 years old born and raised in Puerto Madryn, Patagonia ARGENTINA.

2. How long have you been involved in triathlon and tell us a bit about how first got involved in the sport?

I started with my first triathlon in 1986, at that time it was a very new sport in my country and I am a very curious person. I remember my first event with the participation of 12 people I managed to cross the finish line in last place, was that my great motivation to become a true triathlete, that day I was rewarded by the challenge of achieving of my the goal .... get to the finish line, and I did that.

3. Why did you choose triathlon?

The great challenge of complete my first triathlon distance was amazing, the feelings was great, I remember coming home after the race super tired but happy and I sleep, rest .... For hours...it was amazing too.
Playing football was not compared, in football depended on my team a triathlon depended on my effort and dedication to learn... discover my true potential.

3. I understand you used to be a professional athlete. Tell us about some of your more memorable experiences as a professional athlete?

Becoming a PRO, was like any another professional person. With the request of a lot more work responsibility, dedication and commitment. The amazing thing was, that was not hard, because my passion and love for the sport.
The relationship with the sponsor was very important and determines many times a lots of simplicity to be a better athlete, the sponsor are the ones who allowed me to get up high, every day. Memorable experience,  no doubt my first win as professional was incredible, for all that hard work, for what my sponsor expected, my coach, family and friends, watching my father's face was amazing (he was my number one fan) after the race. Achieving a first position, being in the top of the podium and know that you can, it was amazing... So that charged the battery even more.

4. You have been involved in triathlon for many years now. Looking back on your career what are some of your proudest moments and biggest achievements?

I am completing 25 years as a triathlete, and I am proud to look back and first continue to be a triathlete, having completed over 400 triathlons over 40 countries is wonderful, also from the last 15 years I been coaching peoples all around the world, engage new generations in the sport, engage peoples to a new lifestyle through better quality of life that no doubt the triathlon will provide.

5.  Triathlon is a very difficult and challenging sport. Where do you find the motivation to keep at it after so many years?

THE CHALLENGE. Like in my first triathlon, the lifestyle, the training, the friends involved now and respect by many people for the work done

6. I understand you have also been coaching for some time now. What are some of the biggest achievements you have had in your coaching career?

As a coach, the achievements is the gratitude of many who today thanks me for found a place as a triathletes, have two triathletes in the highest global circuit and recently the classification of a Paraguayan triathlete to the Pan American Games.

7. I understand also that you have trained some famous people? Who are those people and how did you end up being their coach?

During my time in California I had the great opportunity to work in Hollywood with several actors including No Doubt, and Real Andrews (who played Marcus Tagger in General Hospital). They both managed to complete the Ironman world championship in Hawaii twice. Currently I am training and compete with Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, Maxine Bahns (She's the one), Alexandra Paul (Baywatch), Jose Solano (Baywatch) and many more... Today there are many actors involved in the sport and my favourite event is in San Diego, CA The Challenge Athlete Foundation Half Ironman, where many actor and celebrity of different sports get together for a great cause.

8. You are going to be one of the most high profile athletes coming to the Wadadli Tinman half-iron distance triathlon. Why did you decide to come to this event?

It was a great opportunity to meet athletes from Antigua and Barbuda months ago, was great to started working with them also and see the work and dedication on their part was motivation to be part of what those athletes are and be in the event us a one triathlete more.

10. Triathlon is relatively young in the Caribbean, yet many Caribbean athletes have had a lot of success. For example Barbados' Jason Wilson just placed 7th at the Pan American Games. Do you think there is enough potential in the Caribbean for Caribbean triathletes to become among the best in the world?

The triathlon is new in the Caribbean, and is new sport in world , in the past I participate in other training programs which lead to several top-level triathletes in the world, new blood is something that you find in the Caribbean and liked Wilson from Barbados also will be other that will be appear and have the opportunity too,  and  thank to events such as this would lead and motivate new triathletes, new opportunity.... and have the opportunity will  motive more kids to get involve and success us a person,  athlete, plus the organisation and the entire country will just be proud. Best wishes and see you in the beach... where the triathlons start!

Wadadli Tinman Registration Begins

Registration Has Now Officially Opened - For Residents please 


return registration forms to Xtreme Health & Fitness with $$ 


enclosed - overseas participants can email their completed 


form to wadadli.tinman2012@gmail.com and pay on arrival



Forms can be downloaded here... http://www.mediafire.com/?9o52b243smtby6d


Registration Deadline is December 1st 2011 - Register Early!!!

Wadadli Triathlon Club to host TinMan competition

Antigua Observer Link

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda will soon have yet another sporting event targeting national athletes, regional athletes and possibly, athletes from international destinations.

This is according to national tri-athletes, Rory Butler and Andre Simon whom, through their Wadadli Triathlon Club, will be hosting the first of what they are hoping will become an annual event, The Wadadli Tin Man, slated for January 29, 2012.

The event, according to Butler, will cover half the distance used by the world famous Iron Man race and will put participants through a gruelling test of their physical and mental ability.

“The Iron Man is probably one of the toughest physical challenges in the world and it is basically one of the strongest triathlons you can find. We are attempting to do a half Iron Man distance event here which is a swim (1.2 miles), cycle (56 miles) and run (13.1 miles) or a half marathon which takes somewhere between four to eight hours,” he said.

Having attracted athletes and visitors in excess of 3,000 on an annual basis, the Iron Man is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a marathon, raced in that order and without a break.

According to Butler, however, Wadadli Triathlon Club is not seeking to host an event of that magnitude just yet. He said they would be hosting regional athletes.

“We are not looking to do it on that scale as yet. It is something potentially we can grow it to that scale where it becomes a big boost to the economy down here but right now we are looking to put on something more on a national scale,” he said.

“We are actually planning to just do it nationally but we have already had requests from St Kitts, Nevis, St Martin, Grenada and a few other countries asking if they can come and be part of this so we are now actually doing this as a regional event.”

Asked why they decided to put on such an event, Butler said it is their way of, firstly, providing quality competition for tri-athletes both here and across the region while, secondly, easing the burden on the triathlon association here.

“As athletes, we said this is something that we want to do and there are so many reasons for doing this like sporting wise, for the economy, and we wanted to put on one event that will take some pressure off the association and it gives the association a chance to focus on other priorities. The association can’t do it all.”

The event will also incorporate a Sandman Challenge, which is geared towards attracting the non-traditional athletes and will target businesses and other organisations.

Simon explained that it would be less intimidating than tackling the Tin Man.

“The Sandman part of it is a team challenge or a corporate challenge so we are actually looking at OBSERVER Media Group, looking to target Extreme Fitness, and a couple of other companies and what they would do is put together three-member teams and the first person can either do a 1,000 metre swim or 2,000 metre kayak and the second person will use a mountain bike only for a 45km bike ride. The last person will finish off with a 10km hike,” he said.

“We are actually trying to do something a little different than the regular swim, bike, run and look to target the corporate community,” Simon added.

Wadadli Triathlon Club has already secured sponsorship commitment from OBSERVER Media Group, Adventure Antigua, and Extreme Health & Fitness Centre, while they are currently in talks with the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Tourism.

"Mixed fortunes for triathletes"

From The Antigua Observer:

National athlete Rory Butler outshone his challengers and sibling Tamiko Butler had a creditable performance at the 2011 Toyota Rainbow Triathlon & 5K Sprint competition in Trinidad over the weekend.

One other national athlete, Andre Simon, failed to complete the event after picking up a puncture during the cycling stage.

Rory captured the Rainbow Cup Sprint Race and finished ahead of the competition with times of 12:33 in the swim, 35:41 on the bike and 21:33 in the run.

His performance put him ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Daniel Koo who was second overall but first in the Male 30-39 category. Koo clocked times of 12:53 in the swim, 35:00 on the bike and 21:39 in the run.

Another T&T athlete, 17-year-old Akil Baptiste, copped the bronze medal position with a third place finish. The youngster, who competed in the 16-19 age category, recorded times of 11:52 in the swim, 35:28 on the bike and 23:41 in the run.

Antigua’s Simon, who also competed in the Sprint Tri 20-29 competition finished at the bottom of the lot at position 95 after failing to complete the course.

Rory Butler

The capable Simon was hindered by a flat tire just 46 seconds into the bike stage after he had done 17:25 on the swim.

The nation’s lone female competitor, Tamiko, was the fourth of her gender to cross the finish line in the Olympic Tri division, but finished 10th overall.

She clocked 30:42 on the swim and was the 12th athlete out of the water before clocking 1:12:25 on the bike to finish fifth in that section.

The determined youngster ran in 1:05:43.

England’s Piers Vallance captured the Olympic distance with impressive times of 25:50 in the swim, 1:08:51 on the bike and 44:28 in the run, and was the first overall and first male to complete the event.

He was followed by Ancil Greene and Ryan Mendes both of T&T for silver and bronze, respectively.

Claire Vallance was the first female across the finish line with times of 25:23 in the swim, 1:14:49 on the bike and 48:34 in the run.

Clare Morrall of Grenada and Inga Karasek of Canada were second and third, respectively, in the female division, all finishing ahead of Tamiko

"Antiguan triathlete captures OECS title"

From The Antigua Observer:

National tri-athlete Andre Simon is the new Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) champion.

The athlete captured the title after he was the first OECS national (2nd overall) to cross the finish line when the sub-regional championships were held in Grenada on Sunday.

Simon clocked a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 54 seconds to finish behind overall winner, Akil Baptiste of Trinidad.

Baptiste, however, could not be crowned OECS champion since he is not an OECS resident.

Simon had a time of 36 minutes on the bike, 19 minutes in the swim, and 22 minutes on the run to claim the honour.

Another Antiguan, Wayne Henry (1:22.20), was third overall (2nd OECS), doing 15 minutes in the water, 37 minutes on the bike and 25 minutes in the run.

One member of the Antigua & Barbuda Triathlon Association (ABTA) Cleofoster Harris, who was in Grenada with the Antigua team, said he was pleased with the outcome and the efforts of the athletes.

“I am satisfied and I would think the athletes are satisfied also with their performances in Grenada. They both gave good account of themselves and the Association is pleased with their achievements,” Harris said.

The athletes will now turn their attention to the Tobago International that is slated for May 23 on that island.

Simon, who remained in Grenada on Sunday for the presentation and awards ceremony, was slated to return early Monday.

"Simon, Henry dominate SKB Triathlon"

From The Antigua Observer:

Two of the country’s top tri-athletes, Andre Simon and Wayne Henry, dominated the St Kitts & Nevis Sprint Triathlon & Nationals Competition held over the Easter weekend.

Simon, who has now competed in that country for the third time within a month and a half, captured the men’s division in one hour, 14 minutes and 23 seconds, while Henry clocked 1:16.55 to finish in the number two position.

Simon, who completed the swim in 12:45 before clocking 38:27 on the bike, rounded off his performance in 23:11 in the 5K run. He said that he felt good about his performance.

Wayne Henry and Andre Simon

“It’s a great achievement actually. Again, I came out pretty far behind in the water but was able to pick up on the bike and the run given that it was a very hilly course which I am very good at, so overall, it was a good achievement and I enjoyed the whole experience,” he said.

“I have to thank, first of all, the athletes that I train with and also the association because they have been very supportive along with the sponsors, Extreme Fitness and LIAT. So the fact that we have support from the corporate (community) and also the association, that has been what is really attributing to the success so far.”

Henry, who had individual times of 11:35 for the swim, 39:55 on the bike and 25:25 on the run, also expressed satisfaction with his performance.

“I feel good about it which I know there is still more improvements. Day after day, we are out there with Andre and Rory Butler just getting ready and plus we had other events before, back to back events, as we prepare for this weekend’s triathlon event in Grenada,” Henry said.

The athletes also thanked their sponsors Extreme Fitness and LIAT who both played major roles in securing their participation in the event. A team of tri-athletes will travel to Grenada this weekend for that country’s national event.