ROHRMAN SPORTS ASSOCIATION

France’s No. 2 and Europe’s No. 6 Gaetan Fetaud is set for the AUA Tinman Rohr Triathlon 2014

The AUA Tinman Rohr Triathlon will in 2014 continue the tradition of attracting some of the world’s premier athletes with France’s Under 23 number 2 Gaetan Fetaud the latest to confirm his attendance.

It was in 2011 that a young Fetaud made France take notice by storming to a second place finish in the country’s Under 23 Duathlon Championships. Only a year later Fetaud made his mark on Europe and the world by surging to a 6th place finish at the 2012 Under 23 European Championships.
Now resident in Martinique the French national triathlete has set his sights on taking the title of the 70.3 mile AUA Tinman Rohr Triathlon slated for Saturday August 23rd, 2014 at Morris Bay, Antigua.

It comes ahead of his bid for World Cup glory and has been chosen as his ideal preparation for that stage.

The 22 year old could become the third French national to win the half-iron (2k swim, 90k bike, 21k run) following wins by French legend Benjamin “Da Fish” Sanson in 2012 and 12-time Guadeloupe champion Olivier Noglotte in 2013. But despite Fetaud racking up a string of wins on the Caribbean circuit since his move to Martinique, he is expected to face tough competition in Antigua. Reigning champion Noglotte is keen to defend his title and has confirmed he will return while Nevisian Reginald “Reggie” Douglas has made a return to triathlon and has hinted the Tinman Rohr will be one of his major targets this year.

An Antiguan athlete is also yet to win with Andre Simon placing second in 2012 and Antigua settling for another second place finish in 2013, but there’s a determination to change that record.

There is also strong interest, and a number of athletes have registered, from the USA thanks to marketing efforts by the Ministry of Tourism; which has signed on as a major partner for the third year running.

The USA athletes hold the potential for a surprise with the pedigree of the athletes registered unknown.

The athletes will do battle over a 2 kilometre ocean swim, a 90 kilometre bike ride and a 21 kilometre run.

The American University of Antigua College of Medicine Tinman Rohr Triathlon is held annually in honour of former AUA student and triathlete Jonathan Rohr who died suddenly in late 2011. Rohr was posthumously diagnosed to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) – a genetic heart disease which affects one in 500 people and has been known to result in sudden death in extreme athletes. Rohr was one of the event’s original founders and was in training for the inaugural edition when he died suddenly.

Meanwhile the event this year will for the first time have a strong emphasis on youth with 18 & Under, 14 & Under, 10 & Under and 6 & Under titles all up for grabs for the first time in significantly shorter races.

There will also be an emphasis on fitness and healthy lifestyles with non-athletes encouraged to take part in the mini tri of a 500m swim, 10k bike and 2k run either as individuals or in teams of three persons. Persons can register or get information at www.antiguatinmantriathlon.com or by calling 268 720 8239.

The AUA Tinman Rohr Triathlon is sponsored by the American University of Antigua, LIME, Ministry of Tourism, Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, Cedars Pottery, Horizons Supplies Limited, Big Banana Limited, Observer Media Group, Oasis Water and Premier Beverages, National Olympic Committee, 365Antigua.