FOR someone who has rowed across an ocean, the prospect of a few puddles while out cycling isn’t anything too alarming.
Almost three years after setting off to row across the Atlantic, Pete Wright embarked on his latest escapade before dawn on Friday.
As challenges go, it’s an extreme one, involving the completion of an Ironman triathlon every day for a week, and magnified by a distinctly dodgy weather forecast.
The 52-year-old chief financial officer, who has checked into the Radisson Blue Hotel for the duration in order to minimise his “commuting” time, took the plunge at AquaSplash at 6am on Friday, and had completed his 2.4-mile swim in less than 90 minutes.
Mr Wright then jumped on his bike and was exposed for the first time to the elements, battling wind, rain and some large puddles while completing two laps of the Island totalling 112 miles.
Then it was time for a marathon, with the aim of finishing in time to catch his football team, AFC Bournemouth, in action during their televised game with Fulham.
Including the 26.2 miles for a marathon, the “Island Man” challenge should add up to 984 miles by the time Mr Wright finishes this coming Thursday, with the schedule showing he is likely to be in action for around 15 hours daily.
The funds raised are to be split between four beneficiaries: CLIC Sargent (Jersey), Kezia’s Fund, Lily’s Fund, and The LouLou Race Foundation.
Mr Wright’s previous fundraising antics having included a marathon in the Amazon and the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert, while in February 2023 he completed the 3,000-mile trans-Atlantic race in a two-man rowing boat alongside his friend, Steve Hayes.
But the father-of-two had never previously attempted a triathlon, let alone an Ironman event.
Organisations sponsoring the project include Prosperity 24/7, Mr Wright’s employer, KPMG, Rossborough, Boston Jersey, the Radisson Blu, Big Maggy’s, the Cycle Centre, STS Graphics and the Jersey Sports and Spinal Clinic.
Donations can be made at sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/activity/island-man-x-7-7-iron-man-distance-triathlons-in-7-consecutive-days/pete.
