MEMBERS of Jersey’s sports community have vowed to power through 2022 with competitions inspired by Super League Triathlon – despite the cancellation of the Waterfront leg this September.
A combination of ‘economic and scheduling’ issues have resulted in Jersey being omitted from plans for the upcoming season, with SLT officials instead opting to send the world’s leading triathletes to London, Munich, Malibu and Toulouse.
The event attracted thousands to Elizabeth Marina on four visits from 2017-2021, offering a host of racing opportunities for Islanders.
Jersey Triathlon Club president Michael Bateman said: ‘The Jersey Triathlon Club was disappointed to hear that Super League Triathlon wouldn’t be in Jersey this year. The event is always a fantastic opportunity to watch – and meet – the world’s top triathletes and to compete on a unique course.
‘Although it is a shame that SLT will not be here in 2022, the Jersey Triathlon Club itself has a busy year with a full schedule of local events lined up, including the Accuro Jersey Triathlon on 17 July and the Ana Leaf August Aquathlon Series. Many athletes are also finally taking part in off-Island events that have been deferred several times due to the pandemic [and] an exciting new addition to the calendar this year will be a Jersey Swim Run being held on 3 September.
‘Our junior club are also planning events which, in part, have been inspired by Super League – including a family enduro aquathlon.’
SLT chief executive Michael D’hulst, who described Jersey as the franchise’s ‘spiritual home’ last week, hopes to bring the organisation back to the Island in the ‘near future’ – providing appropriate funding can be secured.
The Government of Jersey agreed to pay £250,000 a year to host the event from 2018-2022, through its Tourism Development Fund. However, it is understood that insufficient private support was secured for this year’s edition.
