The first Transition Sports Triathlon race was a very big success! 183 athletes in all categories flocked the Moraitis Sports Centre facilities and filled the beach of Schinias with enthusiasm and positive energy. The day for the organizers began shortly before 7am. About 50 volunteers took their positions as they had already been informed the previous days by Joanna Hadjisavvas who is in charge of the volunteers department, the last duties were carried out in the transition zone and the swimming arena completed. The first athletes began arriving on the beach after 7.30am where the secretariat opened and welcomed the first athletes. Danae Moraitis and her colleagues served the athletes promptly and without delay, handing them their triathlon bag and a spring plant offered by ” Papanikolaou Nurseries” A few minutes later, the transition area began to fill with bikes and the necessary equipment of the triathletes, under the guidance of the skilled triathlete Stellios Andreadis who this time experienced the race from the side of the organization. Brand new racks, a carpet in the transition area, large stylish boxes for the athletes’s equipment, loud music and a huge arch at the finishing line with dozens of plants were just a few of the things that the athletes distinguished and looked forward for the race to begin. At 9.20am, Dimitris Moraitis welcomed the athletes and their escorts to the facilities and launched the new set of Transition Sports races. Immediately after Stellios Andreadis gave a technical briefing mentioning everything an athlete needs to know for a safe participation. A few minutes after 9.30am the race began, starting with swimming.750 metres in a trapezoid shape so that there would be a better control of the route, two speed boats, kayaks and SUP in constant motion to supervise the athletes. The sea was calm with a light northern breeze which didn’t hinder the performance of the swimmers. The strongest swimmers stood out from the first buoy. The first to set foot on the carpet on the beach was Dimitris Rizas in just 9’53”, a team athlete, and soon after George Alyfantis with10’34”, second overall and Loukia Loukopoulou with 13’34”, first overall. After the swimming part the athletes went quickly to the transition zone to begin cycling. The sight at the transition zone was amazing. Dozens of athletes were running with their bikes to the control area before starting their 20 km route. 4 rounds at the Rowing Centre in a safe and completely controlled area with the adrenalin reaching red. Overtaking, high speed and intensity on the faces of the triathletes until they return to the Moraitis Sports Centre facilities for the third and last leg of the race, running. 5km in the National Park of Schinias, in the woods by the sea until the finish line. Alex Moraitis with his colleagues, with his cameras, followed the athletes to present us with images and videos from many different angles.! When Spiros Gotzias came in first, after 1 hour 7′ and 54″ he was greeted with great applause while Loukia Loukopoulou 1st woman and 12th overall needed 1 hour 15′ and 9″! Okeanos Sports Centre was the first team to finish who also did the best time in the event.
Press Release by the organisers
English
