Coast to Coast in Trinidad

News Release / 29.09.2008

The Tropical Power Limited Coast 2 Coast 2008 Multi-Sport Race will take place on October 18 in Trinidad and Tobago. Athletes are preparing their minds and bodies for the tough two-day race that will take them from the island’s east coast to its west in a series of stages that include trail running, cycling and paddling.

This is the fourth year that the event is being held – the first year saw participation mainly from local and regional athletes, while the 2006 race title was taken by then-reigning Multi-Sport World Champion, New Zealander Richard Ussher. Ussher came back to successfully defend his title in 2007, beating out other international athletes such as South African paddler Martin Dreyer, who has had experience racing in New Zealand’s Speight’s Coast to Coast – the most elite race on the international Multi-Sport Racing calendar.

The 2008 event will host athletes from New Zealand, Sweden, Mexico and the United States, in addition to local and regional participants, including athletes from St. Maarten.

To cater to the needs of the international contingent, as well as to encourage kayaking as a viable local sport, twenty-four Surf Ski kayaks are being shipped into Trinidad especially for the Coast 2 Coast Multi-Sport race, thanks to the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Sport. “People are beginning to see the potential of this race,” says Mendes, “as a chance to niche market our islands for sport tourism and eco-tourism. We have a beautiful, challenging course. It really is an experience that every serious Multi-Sport athlete should have.”

The prizes for this year’s event include over $10,500 US in cash for the winners in various categories and these, along with the high quality of the course, have been attracting tremendous interest in the race.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Tropical Power Coast 2 Coast 2008 can log on to www.trinidadcoast2coast.com for more information.