By WALTER ALIBEY Wednesday, September 3 2008

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RYAN MENDES...coordinator of the Coast 2 Coast race....

SKY SPORTS will give coverage to the fourth annual Tropical Power—sponsored Coast 2 Coast Adventure Race which take place on October 18 and 19, and officials are expecting the largest turn-out ever.

Race Coordinator Ryan Mendes said at a launch at the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago office on Maraval Road, Port-of-Spain yesterday, the two-stage race which will comprise cycling, trail running and paddling, and for the first time is expected to receive international coverage from Sky Sports through Latin America, as well as from the renowned Adventure World Magazine.

He confirmed that defending champions Richard Ussher from New Zealand and his wife Elina are among a big international contingent expected to be here for the race.

Other competitors from Sweden, United States and Mexico have also confirmed their participation at the grand 170 kilometre event.

Ussher (Richard), the World No 1, won last year’s event in the quick time of ten hours three minutes, but this year he could face the challenge of his life from a hyped-up Clarence Tobias, who was the top local competitor who earned the right to contest the challenging New Zealand Coast 2 Coast race last year.

The overall winner will walk away with a US$3, 000 cheque while the second place male will receive US$1,000.

Top woman will collect US$1,500 and the third place male and female will pocket US$750. Competition will take place in two categories, individual and relays, but organisers have included a new category for participants who specialise in the different disciplines (cycling, running or paddling).

It means that they can contest the stage of their strengths until they feel comfortable to contest the entire race in the future.

There will also be prizes for stage winners.

According to Mendes the increase in the amount of international participants will auger well for TT as it will boost the level of competition. He told a large media gathering that there will also be participants from St Maarten and Guadeloupe. Mendes said Government has given tremendous assistance with the increased participation and little equipment.

Government has provided approximately $200,000 for the shipment of Surf Ski Kayaks and has helped in the setting up of a Canoe/Kayak Federation aimed at spreading the sport to the nation’s youth.

The race begins in Toco and will finish at Williams Bay in Chaguaramas.

Opening stage on day one will consist of a gruelling 41.5 kilometre challenge from which participants will be required to run from the Toco Lighthouse to Salibay before taking up their bicycles and pedalling to Matelot.

The day will also feature a 32 kilometre trek from Matelot to Blanchisseuse, passing through the beaches of Madamas, Tacaribe and Paria.

Day two of the race will comprise a cycle along the North Coast Road past Maracas to be followed by a run from North Post through the hills to the Macqueripe Beach in Tucker Valley before paddling from Macqueripe to Williams Bay.