59 minutes and 8 seconds. That was the time it took Jean-Marc Rimaud to complete the Atimaono S Triathlon: 750 meters of swimming, 11 kilometers of mountain biking and 4 kilometers of running. A performance that allowed him to win with a comfortable lead. “It’s always an interesting race. The cycling portion is particularly tough. We are always in the grip, so you have to keep pushing. In the tall grass, a bit of mud, river crossings, it’s a very playful course. So it was interesting. I struggled on foot afterward, muscles burning, but it’s not a race you specifically prepare for. You come with pre-fatigue, with the training of the week.”
In the women’s category, Adélaïde Treujou also takes the win. She completes the course in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 44 seconds and finishes 17th overall. A first female victory achieved despite some difficulties on the MTB section. “I’m super happy to be the first. Then, on the course, I’m not used to mountain biking, so the course was difficult for me. On the second lap, I fell into the river, so for the other two laps I preferred to set a foot down at each river. On the flat, I managed to push. On the running portion, it wasn’t all road and flat, but I managed to hold a pace between 5:01 and 5:20, so I’m very happy with my running. And the course itself is magnificent.”
Sunny skies, motivated runners, and a new seaside setting: all the ingredients came together in Atimaono, in Papara. Organized by the Vahine Triathlon club, under the aegis of the Tahitian Triathlon Federation, the event brought together 33 participants, including three relay teams.
“We’re really happy because the weather is beautiful,” says Cécile Do Huu, president of the Vahine Tri club. “It isn’t always the case at this time of year. There have been years when it was much muddier, so this time we’re really happy. People are also very happy. The park has been renovated this year. We’re really making the most of the new park. It’s really nice. The runners are happy too. The novelty this year is that the race runs along the sea, instead of being a bit more inland. There are a few tupas holes to avoid, but they have the sea, so the runners were delighted.”
Among the participants were athletes of all ages, including young enthusiasts. At 18 years old, Brieuc sees triathlon as more than just a sporting challenge. He is also preparing his professional future in this discipline. “I love eating, so to stay healthy you have to exercise. It has always been a sporting challenge since my youngest age. Right now, I’m in training to become a true professional in triathlon coaching. So for me, it’s about guiding young people and gaining experience.”
The Triathlon S was the day’s flagship event. Cross-triathlons were also offered to children aged 6 to 12, to introduce them to the sequence of disciplines and, perhaps, to spark new vocations.
Ethan Calloway
I'm a journalist and writer with a passion for international affairs, politics, and the forces shaping our global economy. Based on the U.S. West Coast, I explore the stories connecting nations and communities, with a particular interest in the Pacific region. At Island Society, my goal is to bring fresh perspectives, meaningful context, and a human voice to the issues that matter.