Swiss hogs headlines in triathlon

MANILA, Philippines - The most accomplished triathlete showed his true form as Reto Hug of Switzerland dominated yesterday’s 18th ITU-K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon men’s elite division raced on humid weather at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The 36-year-old Hug, who participated in the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics aside from being a silver and bronze medalist in the 2005 and 2008 World Championships, mustered enough strength into the final 100 meters of the run leg to edge a pair of 23-year-old rivals in Franz Loeschke of Germany and Artem Parienko of Russia.

“It was a very, very tough race with the humid weather, the hilly bike course and the need to get up early for the race which is unusual for me. That is why I’m very happy with this victory and the organizers really did a great job,” said Hug who negotiated the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in one hour, 54 minutes, 36 seconds.

He was two ticks ahead of second placer Loeschke (1:54:38) while Parienko came in third at 1:55:09 to complete the Europeans domination in this year’s event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) with K-Swiss as presenter.

“The three of us worked together in the run but he ran faster near the finish. But my goal was to be in the top 10 and finishing second is an achievement,” said Loeschke, a gold medalist in the 2009 ITU champion in the Under 23 class.

A total of 43 triathletes, including four Philippine bets, competed in the race also sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) with five foreigners not able to finish the race due to mechanical problems.

This is the first race on local soil for Hug but it’s his second time to be in Subic, the first having been in 2008 when he attended the training camp held for six month for the Beijing Olympics.

“Being able to know the hilly course was an advantage for me but it was in the run where I really made the push halfway in the race. In the last 100m, I gave it one final push to outsprint my rivals,” added Hug, who’s best finish in three Olympics was at eighth in Sydney.

This is also Hug’s second race this year and he is confident he will still be able to gain much needed points as he sets his sights for a possible fourth straight Olympic stint in London next year.

Japan and Chinese Taipei, which won a combined 10 of the first 17 SUBIT men’s elite titles disputed, were simply outclassed this time in the event also supported by Speedo, David’s Salon, Century Tuna, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, Fitness First, Timex, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Kohei Shimomura bannered the Japanese bets as he settled for 10th place at 1:56:22 while Yang Mao-Yung was the best finisher for Chinese Taipei at 24th (2:04:41).

Nikko Huelgas, who is the country’s record holder in the Olympic distance at 1:59:44 he recorded when he finished tenth in last year’s Asian Beach Games in Oman, finished at 22nd spot at 2:03:29 while Neil Catiil came in at 26th (2:05:15).

“This is the hardest race I ever competed in since I join triathlon two years ago. I only started training in April because my concentration this year is in my studies but I’m gearing my sight on the Philippine National Games where I hope to break my own Philippine record,” said the 19-year old Huelgas who is an incoming fourth year management student from La Salle.

John Leerams Chincano and Jonard Saim completed the local bets entered and the two checked in at 33rd and 34th respectively.