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TriYas Sees UAE Community ’Take Their Win’ At Yas Marina Circuit |
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The eighth edition of TriYAS by Daman's ActiveLife has been hailed a resounding success with over 1,200 triathletes and first-time participants taking part in the region's only day-to-night triathlon in perfect weather conditions. Athletes of all ages, abilities and nationalities took on the challenge of the combined swim, cycle and run across several categories of ability and distance, including a ProField predominately made up of locally-based athletes for the first time in its eight-year history. TriYAS also saw its highest number of first-timers with 28 per cent of the total field made up of first-time triathletes. The 17 strong ProFIELD featured six of the best Emirati triathletes including Emiratis Faris Al Zaabi and Abdullah Alqeti from Abu Dhabi, as well as Mohsen Al Ali, Nabil Al Ali, Saif Al Samahi, and Ghanem Al Saadi, all from Fujarah. The ever-popular event saw fantastic personal achievements across the board in a thrilling day for competitors and spectators alike as people gave their all on the demanding, but fun course. To make the annual TriYAS as welcoming as possible to everyone from experienced triathletes to beginners, and their supporters they were able to take advantage of a huge range of activations and food trucks throughout the day. Physiotherapy stations were also available to provide support for weary triathletes along with plenty of fun-filled, family entertainment options at the event itself. National Health Insurance Company – Daman CEO, Dr Michael Bitzer said: "The success of this year's TriYAS by Daman's ActiveLife reaffirmed its position as one of the most popular sporting events in the UAE not just for professional triathletes, but amateurs and children as well. "It was excellent to see the number of Emiratis increase this year as well which proves the growing popularity of triathlon in the community. It is one of the best sports to take up for its unique ability to work the whole body with the right level of intensity. Our weekly, free-of-cost events, with Yas Marina Circuit and other partners such as TrainYAS are the prefect training grounds for upcoming triathletes from all age groups," he added. The winner of the ProFIELD Elite category was Olivier Godart, a UAE resident from Luxembourg, who completed the 1,500-metre swim, 38-kilometre bike race and 10-kilometre run in 1 hour, 52 minutes and 13 seconds. Abdullah Alqeti conquered the newly introduced Emirati ProFIELD in his home city over the same distances in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 45 seconds. Dylan Smith triumphed in the male Sprint category, taking 1 hour, 12 minutes and 58 seconds to complete the shorter course of a 750-metre swim, 22-kilometre bike course and 5-kilometre run. Juliette Jannedothee topped the female Sprint category, crossing the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 1 second. The KidsTRI top spot in the 15-17 category was taken by Thomas Jennings, who conquered the 200-metre swim, 9-kilometre cycle and a 1.5-kilometre run in 31 minutes minutes and 8 seconds. Thomas beat more than 140 participants between the ages of 9-17 to finish first across the line. The brand new Super Sports Triathlon Championship offered three shorter categories this year: T1, which involved a 100-metre swim, 3-kilometre bike course and a 1-kilometre run; T2 included a 200-metre swim, 6-kilometre cycle plus a 2-kilometre run; T3 involved a 300-metre swim, 9-kilometre bike race and a 3-kilometre run. Ziad Sousa and Charlotte Navrati won the male and female 9-12 years category T1 titles respectively; Saeed Alkyeli and Dani Hakim won the male and female Over 19s categories in T2 and James Buchanan and Carla Townsend triumphed in the male and female T3 Over 19s category. In a special tie-up with WTS ITU, all of today's TriYAS by Daman's ActiveLife age group winners will be invited to attend a clinic with either Andrea Hewitt (WTS 2017 winner and world no. 5), or Andy Lewis (Paralympic 2016 Rio gold medalist), as well as free entry to the ITU Abu Dhabi on 3rdand 4thMarch. Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: "Since TriYAS by Daman's ActiveLife began in 2011 we have seen the event go from strength to strength and it has now become a must-compete event on the UAE triathlon calendar. "Each year we have seen phenomenal growth, especially among the UAE's grassroots athletes and it is fantastic to see our local Emirati athletes and UAE-based expatriates dominating the ProFIELD this year." "Our goal of empowering the local audience to get fit and active has really paid off, with a record 28 per cent of today's competitors entering a triathlon for the first time. A fantastic 32 per cent of the total field also take part in our regular fitness activities, Start, Train and GoYAS, that are held each week at the Circuit." "Today we have seen excellent performances across all categories and for many, it has been the peak of a long training regime to get into the best possible mental and physical shape to achieve their personal goals. Being able to witness their pride upon crossing the finish line brings everyone at Yas Marina Circuit huge satisfaction." "We would like to extend a big thank you to our title sponsor Daman's ActiveLife and partners, who form a large support network to enable everyone from first time triathletes to seasoned professionals take part in such a fantastic event." Organisers said the event can provide participants with a springboard to seek even more fitness challenges. Daman's weekly ActiveLife events at Yas Marina Circuit, such as StartYAS, TrainYAS and the women-only GoYAS weekly training session are perfect stepping stones on the journey to a more active life. For more information on all TriYAS by ActiveLife category timings, please visit: http://www.racetecresults.com/live.aspx?CId=16410&RId=313 For more information on the wide range of activities and events, please visit: www.yasmarinacircuit.com To find out more about events at Yas Marina Circuit, please visit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yasmarinacircuit |
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