Sharjah: Ben Parnell and Giancarlo Candiano Tricasi clinched the top honours in the third series of the Oceanic Triathlon 2016-17 hosted by Oceanic Hotel Resort and Spa on Friday.
Parnell bagged the top prize in the short course competition, while Tricasi topped the Super Sprint category in Khor Fakkan. Parnell finished with a time of one hour, 27:02 minutes ahead of Andy Mac in second place in 1:27:53 and Liam Bek in third in 1:32:04.
In the Super Sprint category, Tricasi had the best time of 39:44 minutes while Gianluca Longo finished second in 41.45 minutes and Russell Evans came in third in 42:07 minutes.
The annual competition attracted more than 200 triathletes from across the UAE for the third series that witnessed the attendance of athletes who recently participated in the Ironman African Championship in South Africa along with a few who have qualified for the Kona — one of the toughest events on the Triathlon world circuit.
The Short Course consisted of an 800-m swim, a 30-km bike ride and a 7-km run, while the Super Sprint Course consisted of a 375-m swim, 12-km bike and 2.5-km run.
Triathletes competing in both routes swam in the Oceanic Hotel’s natural bay and embarked on a cycle through the hills of Khor Fakkan, before transitioning in the hotel grounds for the final part of the triathlon.
Race director, Trace Rogers, was pleased with the safe conduct of the event. “We are delighted with the remarkable increase in athlete participation with varying experiences and we look forward to our next series towards the end of 2017,” Rogers said.
“Based on the feedback and success of this series, we are planning to host another three race series in Khor Fakkan for the 2017-18 season,” he added.
RESULTS
Short Course: 1. Ben Parnell (1:27.02); 2. Andy Mac (1:27.53); 3. Liam Bek (1:32:04). Super Sprint: 1. Giancarlo Candiano Tricasi (39.44); 2. Gianluca Longo (41.45); 3. Russell Evans (42.07).
