New faces excel in Enticer

The Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation continued transforming rookies into racers over the weekend with the second event of the Enticer Series at Pau Pau Beach in Marpi, and while many were discouraged by the rainy conditions, a total of 26 people made their way north to take part in both of their multisport events.

Newcomer Ricky Melcoir was the top of the new crop by out-swimming, cycling, and running the nine-member field to take the tape, followed closely by second-year veteran Rob Schultz.

While he was the next to last out of the water from the 400m swim, Melcoir utilized his strengths on the bike to record the fastest time on two-wheels and was bested only by the Saipan Tribune’s Shan Seman as he powered his way along the run course.

Schultz was actually quicker out of the water, and despite finishing with the second-best time on the bike lost the lead to Melcoir on the run.

Ed Diaz made a statement to the triathlon community by finishing third in his first multisport event, as “Steady Eddie” was third in the swim and the run. With continued practice he will certainly be a force in the future.

On the women’s side, rookie Hilary Stevens was first among the females, but was followed closely by Pam Thorpe and Brenda Schultz. Stevens rocketed through the water behind only Jeff Taylor, and after cranking through the bike course, she made headway on the 2km run.

The “Thorpedo” was not far behind Stevens as she was the third to hit the sand, and held an advantage in the bike before it melted away like a Saipan snowman. While the duo duked it out on the asphalt, Shultz maintained her pace and never quit to bag third in the morning affair.

While the top three finishers had plenty to celebrate, the focus of the NMITF Enticer Series remained that they completed what they started in the first place. The newbies weren’t the only racers on the course, as 11 individuals and three teams challenged the 800m swim, 16km bike, and 4km run of the sprint distance race.

Richard Sikkel left little doubt that he is gunning for one of the top spots in April’s XTERRA and Tagaman races as he streaked across the finish line in 1:12:49, and youngster Caleb Gabbie showed that he has what it takes 16 seconds later (1:13:05) in second.

While each of them completed all three legs on a relatively even keel, third-place finisher Butch Sublemente survived a lackluster swim to wade through the pack with the fastest bike time and second-best run time to trail Gabbie by 20 seconds (1:13:25).

Nobody got the scoop on Cooper “Coop” Cooper Graf as the talent from the Saipan Swim Club laid waste to the competition in the water nearly as fast as the Enticer group, but the budding triathlete learned the lesson of moderation as he faded on the bike and run course.

After four years of dominating the XTERRA Saipan Championship, Dawn Hammermeister wrapped up one of her final races in the CNMI by enjoying the trip through the northern end of the island as the first overall female with ease.

With respectable times in each of the three disciplines, Hammermeister hammered out the course in 1:19:25 the day before her departure.

As former NMITF president Stephan Samoyloff said, “When someone leaves, there is always someone else who steps up to take their place.” On Saturday it was newcomer Kristen St. Peter who entered her first race to take second place at 1:29:05.

The teams were just as competitive and enjoyable for the members, and a double dose of the Johnson family took the tape, as Sarah and mother Betty combined to finish the course in 1:22:50.

In only their second race as a team, the trio of Jackie Tessen, Jay Worrall, and Deb Gerads took second place by crossing the line in 1:33:33, followed by super moms Gayle Berger and Karen Klaver in 1:39:18.

The action continues next month with the final event of the NMITF Enticer Series on Saturday, Oct. 15, as the rookies return to the lagoon at Pau Pau Beach for their toughest test to date during the 600m swim at 4:30pm.

Once out of the water the budding triathletes will transition to the 16km bike course that will lead them down the winding Marpi roads and back to the parking lot. From there the swimmers-turned bikers will transition to the 4km run course.

All of the distances are doubled from the second race, but for those looking for a little more of a challenge the NMITF is also offering a double sprint distance race. The swimmers will spend a little more time in the water during the 1,200m course and will double the Enticer distances by taking two loops on both the bike and run courses.

Whichever distance the racers choose, they will be treated to a Pot Luck Barbeque on the beach following the test of wills to congratulate them on a job well done.

Aside from racers, the NMITF is also looking for a number of volunteers to help with many aspects of the race. According to race director Sue Knecht, the organization is currently in need of four volunteers for timing, another four for road safety, two timers, and people to help out with registration and to write the numbers on the racers.

Racers are free to choose their distance, but registration for the events starts at 3:30pm followed by a pre-race.

In 2004 the NMITF got the series started in November to get wannabe racers ready for the Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon, but this time around the people who like three sports better than one are on a mission to turn the most adamant couch potato from a tuber to terrific in time for the Rota Blue Triathlon on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The cost to participate in all of the Sprint/Enticer races is $5 for NMITF members and $10 for non-members. The cost of an annual membership is $25.

To pre-register for the races, send your intentions to sueknecht1@yahoo.com.