Leisure and sports activities were in plenty at this year's Regatta |03 August 2004

Members of the public who came in their thousands to the Beau Vallon beach weekend (July 31and August 1) had a variety of activities to choose from, either for fun or at competitive level.

The event which attracted the most participants though was the inaugural ironman and ironwoman competition. In all, 20 young men and women registered for the gruelling triathlon which included swimming, running and kayaking.

Lifeguard Darren Romain, a former swimmer with the country's national team, and Alexandra Kment displayed nerves of steel and indomitable spirit to be crowned ironman and ironwoman 2004.

Romain hit the tape in 21 minutes 29 seconds, while up-and-coming swimmer Claude Adeline finished second. He was followed by Philip Sopha and James Barra in third and fourth places respectively.

The other positions were as follows: Roger Jeremie (fifth), Peter Ismaël (sixth), Brnd Hau (seventh), Tim Sterzing (eighth), Ryan Nibourette (ninth), Steven Magroo (10th), Fabio Bastienne (11th) and Shane Magroo (12).

Two competitors – Christopher Suhbier and Antoine Joubert – could not complete the demanding ........
Swimmer Naomi Adeline, who was given the favourite tag at the start of the women's competition, crossed the finish line in second position, while Monica Suhrbier settled for third place.

Lisa Mangroo, Shanon Austin and Vanessa Lucas were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
A good number of other watersports competitions were also on the agenda and seafarers coming from all work of life had the chance to test their abilities.

Popular laser sailor, Rodney Govinden dominated the laser races with four points after two victories and a second-placed finish while Michel Bristol whose best position was a second place in race three was second with 10 points.

Rodney twin brother, Roy garnered 12 points to take a firm third place with 12 points. 
Ian Valentin was a cut above the rest in the optimist competition amassing six points to finish ahead of Kenrick Victor (second with nine points) and Daniel Esther (third with 10 points).

In the Mistral windsurfing race, Praslinois Jean-Marc Gardette made a hat-tricks of wins as he literally walked over the rest of the field to take first position with maximum three points.

Joel Fred who was second in races 1 and two and third in race 3 took the runner-up spot with seven points while Adolph Adela was third on 8.

Well-known canoeist Tony Lespoir who received a wild card to participate in the forthcoming Athens Olympic Games from August 13 to 29 did not missed on the opportunity to fine-tune his techniques ahead of the quadrennial Games making a clean sweep in the K1 races.

Michel Roucou had to do with second place while Dean Rose took third position.
Lespoir teamed up with Ally Sicobo to win the K2 races edging the pair of Dean Rose and Peter Ismael. The duo of Jean-Pierre Payet and Nichola Florette were third.

Hippon  was the name of the boat which won the mini-Mahe power boat race and it had for skippers Rock Fanchette and Hendrick Rose.

Gerry Rose and Ted Marie of Pa Seye were  second while third position went to Wa Santi (Gerard and Dyan Rose).

Meanwhile the men's beach volleyball competition was won by the pair of Gilles Pothin and Nichol Songoire who went  by the name Bofrer , making the most of Anse Boileau comprising Bernard Duprès and Francis Magloire in the best-of-three final on a 2-1 (21-17 16-21 15-11) score.

The women's title was clinched by Tobie  made up of Jerina Bonne and Rose Marie Antoine, both members of the women's defending league champions Anse Royale (Arsu). Bonne and Antoine put up a show of talents and determination to outscore the family  duo of Marie-Ange Bouchereau and daughter Nathalie who also play for women's first division side Arsu, winning in straight sets 21-12 and 21-15.

C. J.