Weymouth Classic

Ideal conditions for a triathlon were nowhere to be seen in Weymouth on Sunday morning. Not that that would impact on  a Bustinskins event. Lady Gaga would have been right at home at the swim start as I understand from one of her latest popular contributions to the hit parade that she likes it rough. I didn’t realise she was a triathlete. A massive mention to Mandy who took to the water when many others decided not to start and once again completed an amazing swim – if you can do that one you can do anything! She also finished in front of Mark! More details to come.

I lined up in the safety of the middle of the pack, only to find myself right at the front just before the hooter as all of the other competitors took one look at the sea and retreated up the beach. I missed that due to the restricted peripheral vision of torpedo head. 39min8sec, 2 prewashes and a rinse cycle later I was out and running into transition. Fran was out before me, Mark literally next to me and John just behind (for once). Fran found herself in pursuit of a fish, Bonnie Morgan, who she eventually managed to track down in T2 before once again storming to victory – that’s 3 wins this year for the pocket rocket. The conditions meant that times were much slower than last year and John had a solid race.

Now I think I deserve a mention in this report. I was having a decent ride and was up into about 25th with a bunch of about 6 guys about 30 yards in front of me heading towards T2. Next thing I knew, a silver car came up to the junction to my left and presumably misread the ‘Give Way’ sign as a ‘Run Down that Cyclist’ sign and promptly T boned me for no good reason. End of race and end of bike but at least I escaped relatively unscathed.

Still, wouldn’t want to dampen the mood, still out on the course, John was checking out the Bowlease Holiday camp for the Skilton family September break, and Mandy was hot on Mark’s heels. Now exactly what happened next is open to conjecture. There are several interpretations, but I’m going to go with this one which despite being slightly implausible, is easily the most entertaining. Mandy got Mark in her sights and accelerated to such a speed that time and space were distorted. Subsequently, Mark did not even register as she screamed past before performing a Usain Bolt style victory dance as she crossed the line. Well done Mandy!!