Tagaman’s days are numbered…in a good way

Just three weeks before a small army of triathletes takes to the water along the beach behind the Pacific Islands Club for the pre-dawn start of the 16th Tagaman Triathlon, organizers mulled over the latest developments in their quest to offer the finest triathlon in the history of the event.

The space available inside the conference room of the Marianas Visitors Authority has become noticeably less as the number of days before the annual multi-sport event reached 23 today, and the three-week mark this Saturday.

Seats were at a premium during the latest organizational gathering on Tuesday, when members of Taga Inc., the Pacific Islands Club, Duty Free Shoppers, Verizon, Continental Airlines, Hyatt Regency Saipan, JM and Associates, the Visitor’s Channel, the Department of Sports and Recreation, the Department of Public Works, the Northern Marianas Triathlon Federation, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Safety, Pacific Development Inc., Taga Kids, MVA, FEBC, and the ARCS radio club got together to work out some of the final details before the big day.

The most pressing issue of the day was the condition of the Beach Road from the PIC to the Pacific Gardenia Hotel. Road crews have been busy working on a sewer improvement project for the past few weeks that has left the road looking more like an off-road course than a thoroughfare.

According to Frank Tudela of MVA, no date for the completion of the project was given during his phone calls to CUC, although he was asked to call back at the end of the month.

Following the meeting, Taga Inc. president Bill Sakovich offered his opinions about the progress of this year’s race.

“I think it’s going well. The committee has gotten together and it’s pretty much on track. It’s just a matter of a few little things that we are trying to wrap up, and we will meet weekly now to make sure that we have everything,” he said.

Sakovich mentioned his concern about the current state of Beach Road between San Antonio and Chalan Kanoa, but added that difficulties are just another part of putting on an event of this size.

“I think that one of the major concerns is the roads where there is construction. We may have to do some major changes (to the course), but every few years we have some obstacle like that. Other than that I’d say that it’s going fairly well. We’ll do the best we can,” he said.

Another issue will be the handling of the traffic created by the Flame Tree Arts Festival which will be held on the same day as the event at the American Memorial Park.

“I wish the same events weren’t on the same time on the same day, but we’ll have a meeting and we’ll see what we can do.”

Currently there are triathletes from Korea, Japan, Palau, Australia, Guam and the CNMI signed up for April’s race, including last year’s 13th overall finisher Yu Hun Park. Organizers are still going over the details of bringing professional triathlete Claire Murray and her more than 20-member Hong Kong delegation back to Saipan, as well as making arrangements for the clinics to be put on by the triathletes. So far, the champions from last year’s race will not only be returning, but will offer up their experience for all to hear as a part of the Saipan Sports Fest. The dates and times are yet to be announced, but Jaime Whitmore and Olivier Marceau will be conducting instructional periods aimed at passing on some tricks of the trade in the Napu Room at the PIC.

While the list of entrants is growing every day, Sakovich expressed that he wants to remind the local triathletes who have yet to sign up to stand up and be recognized. While some of Saipan’s multi-sport enthusiasts have already committed to the race, Sakovich said that he believes there are a lot of people out there who are planning on doing the Tagaman who haven’t signed up yet.

“It’s hard on the organizers trying to put some numbers when you’re ordering equipment, T-shirts, and everything else if people haven’t signed up. If they’re even intending to do it, at least get us the names and fill out the form later so we can have some better numbers to go on.”