ROHRMAN SPORTS ASSOCIATION

A distance for every age and ability level will be provided at the AUA Rohrman Antigua in 2019 with ten triathlons to be offered. The event, hosted by the Rohrman Sports Association, is a partnership chiefly with the American University of Antigua, the Jumby Bay Fund, and the Antigua & Barbuda Government.

The feature Olympic distance triathlon will see the return of 2015 European Champion David Hauss, whose achievements also include a 4th place finish at the London 2012 Olympics. Triple Olympian Andrea Hewitt, who placed 8th, 6th, and 7th at Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, will also return to defend her title. They will compete across a 1,500-meter swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run, against the likes of national champions Jeffery Kelsick and Margarita Fernandez. A relay option will also be offered for the Olympic distance.

Sprint competitors will compete across a 750-meter swim, 20 km bike, and 5 km run. Antigua & Barbuda’s Yahnik Martin and Grenada’s Enya Noel are the reigning sprint champions.

Newcomers to triathlon will have the option of the mini triathlon which poses the challenge of a 350-meter swim, 10 km bike, and 2.5 km run, either as individuals or as part of a relay team.

Youth age groups start from 6 & under with a 10-meter swim, 100-meter bike, and 100-meter run. The distances then scale up gradually for the 7-8’s, 9-10’s, 11-12’s and 13-15’s.

A total prize purse of US$4,200 (EC$11,350) will be on offer for the feature Olympic distance individual race. The top five male and female finishers will take home cash awards of US$800, US$600, US$400, US$200, and US$100 respectively. Medals and prizes will also be awarded to the top three males and females in each race category.

The non-profit event will take place on Saturday, March 9th, 2019 at Ffreyes Beach. The Rohrman emerged from the Tinman and is named after and held annually in honour of the late AUA student and triathlete Jonathan Rohr. The triathlon annually attracts dozens of competitors from the region and further afield and has become a valued part of the nation’s sports tourism product. To date participants have come from Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Cuba, France, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, New Zealand, Reunion, Saba, Spain, St Barts, St Maarten, St. Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, the UK, and the United States.

The event will be led by race directors Benjamin Sanson and Tamiko Butler. Sanson is a renowned former French triathlete and current coach and race director. Butler is an Antiguan & Barbudan cyclist who holds a record eight medals in the Elite Caribbean Road Cycling Championships; four(4) gold, three(3) silver and one(1) bronze.

The Rohrman is a non-profit initiative aimed at boosting sports development and wellness in Antigua & Barbuda while contributing to a strong sports tourism product for the country.

The AUA Rohrman Antigua is sponsored chiefly by the American University of Antigua, the Jumby Bay Fund, the Government of Antigua & Barbuda, Starfish Jolly Beach Resort, Cedars Pottery & Cool & Smooth. The Rohrman thanks past and continuing sponsors including Antigua VIP Tours, National Olympic Committee, Horizons Supplies Ltd, Paperclips, Oasis, Premier Beverages, Observer Media Group, TickeTing, KnowYourPros, Magid’s Beauty Salon, Jess & Drake Hadeed, Billy’s Supermarket, Chase Supermarket, Island Sanitation, and Special Security Services.

The event is also supported by the Fisheries Department, Environment Department, Coast Guard, Cadet Corp, Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda, Emergency Medical Services, Antigua & Barbuda Cycling Federation, Antigua & Barbuda Swimming Federation, and the Antigua & Barbuda Triathlon Association.