St Ives Biathlon Success

An exciting annual event returned to St Ives on Saturday 28th June - with the results now in...

The 27^th St Ives Biathlon, sponsored by Cornish Riviera Holidays and organised by St Ives Surf Life Saving Club - with the support of many local organisations and businesses – was enjoyed by hundreds of people, both taking part and supporting.

Over 250 people entered across all age groups and categories, with Izzie Leigh coming first in the Women’s Open and Connor Keeler coming first in the Men’s Open.

Team Marsh/Craze finished first in the Open teams – where one person ran and one person swam; whilst Team Sousek/Sparkes finished first in the Junior teams; with Evie Skinner and William Davies winning the female and male Juniors.

Emilia Hoggett Crisp and Joshua Hoggett Crisp won the women’s and men’s Novice Race; with Elsie and Harvey O’Dell winning the Novice Teams Race; whilst the Vet Race (40yrs+) was won by Nichola Brierley and Tim Poate; with the Super Vets (50+yrs) won by Nikki Bristow and Matt Leigh; and the Senior Vet Race (60yrs+) won by Caroline Leighton and Steven Hansford.

The Open Race (17-39yrs), Vet Race (40-49yrs), Super Vet Race (50-59yrs) and Senior Vet Race (60yrs+) saw participants run from St Ives’ harbour slipway, to Carbis Bay Beach before swimming back to the start (c.2k run/swim).

Whilst the Novice and the Junior (12-16yrs) Races saw participants run from the slipway to the far end of Porthminster Beach before swimming back to the start line (c.800m run/swim).

New and returning participants travelled from Lands End to Southampton to Coventry to take part, with the most senior competitor aged 66.

Entry fees, business sponsorship and donations/sales on the day are now being calculated, with the event always a significant fundraiser for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club – who have been running for 68 years and rely on this flag-ship event for vital club funds each year.

The Biathlon is supported by a wide range of local organisations who donate services and goods to ensure that it is a highlight of the St Ives calendar for locals and visitors alike.

Chris Simpson, Chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and Biathlon Event Lead said:

“Hundreds of people enjoyed the Biathlon today both in and out of the water. We would like to thank the many local organisations who support us in organising the event each year and help to keep people safe whilst participating. We would like to thank everyone involved including SISLSC committee members, RNLI Lifeguards for their continued dedication and support late into a Saturday evening, RNLI inshore lifeboat crew, Club board paddlers and lifeguards, marshals, stall-holders, goody bag packers, kit transporters, the Fisherman's Lodge for the use of the lodges, Carbis Bay Hotel for supplying a water station and many businesses for raffle prizes.

Chris continued: “Alongside the phenomenal logistical support we receive in organising the Biathlon, we are also reliant on the generosity of local businesses who sponsor it and donate services in kind, so that we can meet the growing costs of the event, whilst also raising vital funds for our Club. We would like to thank all of our business sponsors – many of whom have supported us year-on-year, including our title sponsor Cornish Riviera Holidays.”

Andy Dale, Co-Director of Cornish Riviera Holidays said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Cornish Riviera Holidays has been able to support the Biathlon for many years, getting even more involved this year as title sponsor. It is such an important event for St Ives and for St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club and we are proud to be part of it”.

Matt Nellyer, Co-Director of Cornish Riviera Holidays added:

“The Biathlon is always an exciting event for the town, drawing in participants and spectators. The atmosphere this year was fantastic with hundreds of supporters across the harbour front and lining the route. It has been a great event and we would like to say well done to St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club and everyone involved for organising such a successful event again this year.”

Full results can be viewed via: https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-86993

Further info and imagery can be viewed via St Ives Surf Life Saving Club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stivessurflifesavingclub