Manx Island Games star Draper turns up the heat
YESTERDAY was that fateful day for any Guernsey-based triathlete hoping to step out at the home Island Games next year.
The Olympic distance Rocquaine Triathlon formed the final major stage of the selection process for Guernsey 2021, should it go ahead as planned, as men and women vied for places on a first come, first served basis.
And while the returning Ben Creasey gained first dibs on selection with a 2hr 4min. 3sec. clocking, there were surprises behind and, notably, in front of him.
The overall win went to Isle of Man visitor and Gibraltar 2019 runner-up Will Draper, who put on a real show to finish 8min. clear despite having comparatively little to gain.
And Creasey was followed closely by a back-to-form Dan Galpin as James Travers settled for an eventual fourth.
Beyond the expected Amy Critchlow and Emily Squire one-two in the women’s race came a significant upset – Louise Smith snatching third from Magda Murphy on the run.
Proceedings began with a 1500m ‘Aussie exit’ swim and of the 37 Olympic starters, one absence glared up from the clouded bay.
Bob Guilbert missed out through untimely illness and now, like the UK-based Josh Lewis and Megan Chapple, he will have to appeal for a Games spot.
In the absence of swim ace Guilbert, Creasey headed the pack through the first of two laps.
Travers continued to challenge this new local rival and it became a neck-and-neck race heading towards transition, with Galpin hot on their heels.
Draper entered transition in fourth but come the first of three lap points on the 40km bike, he had already broken far clear, leaving the three Guernsey men to battle between themselves.
Fine climber Creasey broke ahead with a late surge up L’Eree, leading by around 50sec. into transition from powerhouse Travers and the fleet-of-foot Galpin.
The air temperature was rising but Creasey produced a cool and composed 10km run for second overall, 42sec. ahead of a similarly swift Galpin, as Travers struggled and finished over 3min. adrift.
And that next Sarnian spot? That eventually went to Dave Mosley, following a late overtake of veteran badminton star Ove Svejstrup, whose outstanding bike had levered him into contention for a potential Games ‘tri’ spot.
In an entertaining women’s race, Critchlow clocked 2-22-47 for a 32sec. victory margin on Squire.
An intriguing catch-up element arose through the remarkable swimming of Smith, a late entrant to the qualification process, who headed Critchlow and then Sammy Yendell into transition.
That order soon changed as Critchlow and Squire got into position on the bike leg, while Smith bookended her performance strongly with a notable run where she stormed past Murphy midway through.
