SWISS VETERAN Reto Hug lived up to his lofty billing yesterday, posting a down-the-wire victory in the men’s elite race of the 18th ITU-K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Bucking the energy-zapping humid weather, the three-time Olympian held off Franz Loeschke of Germany and Artem Parienko of Russia to win the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in one hour, 54 minutes and 36 seconds.
“It was a very, very tough race with the humid weather,” said Hug, who pulled in front to stay in the final 100 meters of the run leg.
“The hilly bike course was also a challenge, that’s why I’m really happy with this victory.”
Loeschke came in two seconds behind Hug, while Parienko checked in at 1:55:09 to complete a 1-2-3 finish by Europeans in the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Nikko Huelgas was the quickest among the Filipinos, finishing 22nd in 2:03:29, with Neil Catiil winding up 26th in 2:05:15.
The 19-year-old Huelgas failed to improve on his national record of 1:59:44 which he set when he finished 10th in the Asian Beach Games in Oman last year.
“This is the hardest race I ever competed in since I joined triathlon,” Huelgas said.
John Leerams Chincano and Jonard Saim checked in 33rd and 34th, respectively, in a field of 43.
Hug, a veteran of the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Games, trained in Subic before competing in the Beijing Olympics three years ago and said his familiarity with the hilly course was the key to his victory.
Loeschke said he was satisfied with his form, having just targeted a top-10 finish in the event also sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union and Asian Triathlon Confederation.
Japan and Chinese-Taipei failed to create a ripple this time in the event backed by Speedo, David’s Salon, Century Tuna, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, Fitness First, Timex, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee, despite owning the distinction of winning 10 of the first 17 Subit races.
Japanese entry Kohei Shimomura wound up 10th in 1:56:22 while Yang Mao-yung was the best finisher for Chinese Taipei at 24th (2:04:41). Cedelf P. Tupas