Competitors and fans were treated to a double racing weekend in Clearwater.
Two inaugural events were held Saturday and Sunday within a few miles of each other, attracting some of Florida's best bicycle racers and triathletes.
Sand Key's Clearwater Community Sailing Center was the scenic venue for the Sand Key Triathlon & Aquathlon Weekend.
At Saturday's Sand Key Aquathlon (2-mile run, 1,000-meter swim and 2-mile run), top athletes qualified for the Aquathlon World Championships, Oct. 4, 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Among those who will compete are Tom Hoffman of Palm Harbor, May-Li Cuypers, Belleair Bluffs; Cindy Horrocks, Seminole; Bob Turcotte, St. Petersburg; Angelica Compton, Clearwater; Pat Hoffman, Palm Harbor; and Liz Graham, Dunedin.
Clearwater Community Sailing Center volunteers played host to 350 triathletes Sunday for the Sand Key Triathlon (.5-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3-mile run). It was won by Marc Bonnet-Eymard in 57 minutes, 23 seconds.
Bonnet-Eymard, 33, of Winter Garden, was the only triathlete reaching the finish line under the 1-hour mark. He leads the 2005 Tampa Bay Triathlon Points Series.
The Sand Key Triathlon's overall female winner was 22-year-old Sarah Groff of Clermont, 1:023:55.
CLEARWATER CLASSIC: The Clearwater Cycling Classic enjoyed professional racing and a 2005 Florida Points Series awards banquet at the new downtown library.
The top rider in the race was Tampa's Paul Kavan, who represents Miami's JC Investors Cycling Team. He was a top-five finisher after winning the Masters event earlier in the day. Pasco's Derek Wilkerson (Team Colavita) was second in the breakaway's final sprint and the overall runner-up to Harm Jenson. Wilkerson said he plans to return to road competition, ending his off-road career. The cyclist from San Antonio is a former Florida State Road Champion.
Event organizers were Pablo Santa Cruz and Bud Elias of YMCA Of The Suncoast.
"For a first-year event, I was surprised at how well organized these races were," pit mechanic Mike Giraud said. "The racing was good, and speeds were in excess of 38 mph because of the wide-open turns." Giraud, 33, of Palm Harbor, worked several years as Team Saturn's head mechanic at pro races throughout the country. U.S. Postal rider Robbie Ventura, who raced in the Classic, announced he was retiring after a 25-year career and more than 70 wins. TRIATHLON SERIES: The final points race in the 2005 Tampa Bay Triathlon Series will be the third annual Suncoast Triathlon on Oct. 30 at Fort DeSoto Park. The event will consist of a .33-mile swim, 11-mile bike ride and 3-mile run.
Awards will be presented during a dinner party from 4-8 p.m. at the downtown St. Petersburg Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE. For information, including tickets for the dinner, go online to www.flraceplace.com or call 813 874-7223.
