By Oliver Kidman

Copyright jerseyeveningpost

SUPERTRI is promising to come back better than ever, returning to deliver a day of world-class racing, community events and family-friendly activities at the Waterfront.

On Sunday 21 September, this mega sporting event will kick-start with RBC Race for the Kids, before the afternoon will see the world’s top short-course triathletes head down to Elizabeth Marina, for Supertri League’s uniquely fast-paced, exhilarating race format.

Jersey hosted Supertri’s first-ever event back in 2017 and the league has been marketing this weekend’s upcoming race as “an emotional return” to their “spiritual home”, only ramping up anticipation.

“All of us are so excited to be back in Jersey, bringing the world’s best triathletes to the Island after a four-year hiatus,” said Michael D’Hulst, Supertri’s CEO and co-founder.

“This excitement extends over to the competing athletes, as the competitors always thought of Jersey as one of the best races on the circuit, especially given how much the community rallied around the event, so we can’t wait.”

Sunday’s professional races

Supertri League is the sport’s first professional league, featuring the best athletes in the world racing in teams in globally broadcast and digital-first events, and run in collaboration with elite athletes to inspire and re-define the future of triathlon.

Jersey’s event could prove decisive for the season, as Supertri’s third stage is also the season’s penultimate event, so athletes will be keen to jostle themselves into the best possible position for Toulouse’s series finale.

The professional athletes will take on three stages of swim, bike and run without a break, with each stage comprising a 300m swim, 4km bike and 1.6km run, repeated across a compact, spectator-friendly course that guarantees constant action.

Following a remarkable 105-point haul in Chicago, Podium Racing have rocketed to the top of the table with 174 points, thanks to strong results across the board, including a first and third in the men’s race from Alberto González Garcia and John Reed, as well as Jeanne Lehair storming to victory in the women’s race.

Defending champions Crown Racing have their work cut out for them now to catch up, but it is still possible with 166 points, while Brownlee Racing trail the runners-up by 45 points to sit in third place, with 121 points, and last place Stars and Stripes will be eager to make their mark, currently on 103.

Hopes are high for the Brownlee Racing to close the gap, as the British-based team have always felt a special connection to the Island, so they’ll be hoping to harness Jersey’s crowd and have a strong performance.

Tim Don, manager of Brownlee Racing, said in an interview with Supertri: “We’ll bring our ‘A’ game to Jersey, it’s a massive race for us. We feel the support here, and the whole team is fired up. “Jersey, we need you there to cheer us on and lift us across that line.”

Although a dominant all-round performance in the States from Podium Racing made a statement, a re-shuffle seems imminent this weekend, as the men’s leader, Alberto González Garcia, is out and unable to defend his position.

With the door ajar for rivals in the men’s field, expect a tense battle between Garcia’s Podium teammate and current runner-up John Reed, who trails the leader by just three points with 24, and Crown Racing’s dynamic duo of Tyler Mislawchuk and Ricardo Batista, both tied for fourth on 22 points. All are right in the mix to claim top spot.

If last time is anything to go by, where a dramatic sprint finish saw Paris 2024 Olympic champion Alex Yee make a late surge to pass Jonny Brownlee and take the race, all signs are pointing to a blockbuster event.

In the women’s category, only two points separate the table-topping Jeanne Lehair from Georgia Taylor-Brown, after the first two events have seen the latter finish one place behind the former.

After a dramatic race day last time in Jersey saw Taylor-Brown finish second, after recovering from a crash on the bike and having her been reinstated after disqualification, she’ll be hoping for a smoother race to try overhaul the deficit.

Speaking on the race, D’Hulst added: “The race is going to be spectacular, there’s a lot of prize money on the line, so athletes will appreciate all the support they can get. It’s been a great season so far, the top stars have all been exceptional and a new wave have come through. Everywhere we’re going, we see great support.

“This season has seen so much exciting young talent rise up through the ranks, such as Brownlee Racing’s Oliver Conway, who is in very good form. With the young talent falling into their own, gaining more confidence with each race, it’s going to be great, they’re the sport’s future stars.”

Spectators can watch the racing from around the Marina and the Waterfront. The Fan Zone at Waterfront Gardens will be open all day with big screens showing the racing live, so visitors can follow the action wherever they are.

There will also be food and drink stalls, live entertainment, giveaways and children’s activities, making it a great day out whether you’re watching the pros or taking part yourself.

RBC Race for the Kids and community work

Before that, Sunday morning will witness the return of RBC’s Race for the Kids, raising funds for the Jersey Child Care Trust while bringing the community together.

Supertri’s CEO was passionate about this event, saying: “The RBC Race for Kids is open to everyone, of all ages and abilities, who are up for getting active and raising money for charity. Last time we were in Jersey, this event was massive, so we want to come back and really drive that participation.

“Community is extremely important, wherever we go it’s all about trying to inspire the competitor in everyone and get people active.”

To allow for everyone and anyone to participate in the event, there will be the option to take on either the 2.5km, 5km or 10km routes, with warm-up sessions scheduled to take place before each distance.

Community is a huge part of Supertri’s ethos, with their rebrand from Super League Triathlon only expanding their outreach.

The CEO’s passion certainly extends to the athletes, as D’Hulst continued: “Our athletes really do share this passion to inspire, as they’ve been interacting with the community through visits to schools and being out among the locals.

“All these athletes have been in the same boat, inspired by the big stars of previous generations, so this is their opportunity to give back to the sport.

“When locals interact with these athletes, it makes their goals more attainable. Once you realise that Olympic-level athletes are normal people like everyone else, it really does break down barriers.”

There will be an opportunity to meet some of the athletes on Saturday, as there will be a meet and greet at the Fan Zone, which will be open and available to access throughout Saturday. As well as the meet and greet, there will be live music, a variety of street food, and a Q&A with the Podium Racing Team between 3pm and 5pm.

Fans will have the perfect opportunity to purchase their event merchandise and get it signed by the elite athletes ahead of the race on Sunday. This event is free to attend and everyone is welcome.

Through this interaction with the local community, sports clubs have benefitted massively in the past, with local triathlon participation flourishing while Supertri held events in Jersey.

D’Hulst is eager to see this continue now that the league is returning, as he concluded: “When you see these world-class athletes in person, it truly does inspire, whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced athlete.

“We have been working very closely with the local sports clubs, with many members volunteering to help with the event. This is of much benefit, as the locals get to see what these top athletes do up close, allowing them to learn and develop their own game, as well as pass down.

“The local set-up over here is generally good, but I feel that you need tent-pole moments and more international exposure to truly flourish. With Supertri coming back, we can act as that moment for clubs.

“Last time, local clubs’ membership took off massively, and we’re happy to help drive people to these clubs once again. Supertri is keen to build stronger relations with local clubs, to see how we can grow these sports.”

TicketsSpectators of the Supertri event can secure their free tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/supertri/1704954/r/refineryThose wanting to participate in the RBC Race for the Kids can register here: https://www.rbcraceforthekidsjersey.com/

Important InformationOn Saturday 20 September, Rue De L’Etau and La Rue de Carteret will be closed between 1.30pm and 3.15pm.

On Sunday 21 September, Rue De L’Etau and La Rue de Carteret will be closed between 6am and 7pm, at the roundabout off La Rue de Port Elizabeth and immediately after the entrance to the Les Jardins car park.

The pedestrian footpath and cycle path on Victoria Avenue will be used between 10am and 1pm to facilitate the RBC Race for the kids.