​Cold Lake Huron water sinks the swim at 20th Kincardine Women’s Triathlon

The sun was shining and the wind was cold, but it seemed the perfect day for the 20th anniversary of the Kincardine Women’s Triathlon at Station Beach, Kincardine, Saturday morning.

However, the Lake Huron water was too cold, so the swim part of the event had to be cancelled, making it a duathlon for all participants.

Race director Haileigh Duplantis said it was disappointing not to have the swim, given that this was the first event back after the two-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 20th anniversary of the race.

The temperature at the shore was 12.3 degrees Celsius but out at the buoy, it was only 11.6 degrees Celsius. Triathlon Canada dictates that if the water temperature is less than 12 degrees Celsius, the swim is cancelled.

“The lake flipped overnight so the water was too cold,” said Duplantis. “Our lifeguard deemed it wasn’t safe so we didn’t want to risk it.”

Victoria Sandre of Southampton won the triathlon (run as a duathlon), with a time of 52 minutes and 10 seconds, followed by Nicole Murphy of London at 53:37, and Laura Sandre of Walkerton at 53:58.

Rounding out the top 10, were Debbie Val of Owen Sound, Kym van Duynhoven of Kitchener, Karlinna O’Leary of Brooklin, Erin Lee of Toronto, Ashley Hegmans of Kincardine, and Jessica Carter of Breslau.

Check here for the complete triathlon results.

Jessie Nussselder of Port Elgin won the duathlon, with a time of 49 minutes and five seconds. In second, was Melissa Doolaar, also of Port Elgin, at 51:16; and in third, was Sarah Saunders of Mount Forest, at 52:59.

Rounding out the top 10, were Amy Curitti of Oakville, Colleen Caplin of Kitchener, Jackie Stanton of Plympton-Wyoming, Julie Stewart of London, Ashley Stoner of Lucan, Natalie Miltenburg of Lucknow, and Gillian Howard of London.

Check here for the complete duathlon results.

The Perth Oxford Ladies of Embro won the triathlon relay (run as a duathlon). The team included Jane Barton, Michelle Campbell and Natalia Murray.

In second, was the Bruce Power team of Kingston – Emily Bruce, Alison Bruce and Heather Murray; and in third, were the Court Hipsters of London – Kelly Corrin, Pam Hamilton and Elizabeth MaGuire.

Rounding out the top 10, were the Fabulous Gals of Ripley – Veronika Jean Cook, Lucy Thorpe and Amanda Wilkins; Team No. 1 of Kincardine – Taylor Carney, Melanie Carney and Marilyn Wadge; the Lurgan Warriors of Kincardine – Michele Dellios, Marissa DenOuden and Sandi Hicks; the Heritage Trio of Kincardine – Heather Egberts, Lisa Farrell and Colleen Shute; the Fierce Squad of Tiverton – Tara Anderson, Sam French and Fiona Robertson; and Team Fedele of Mississauga – Charlotte Baptie, Jennifer Crawford and Deborah Fedele.

The Code Blue team of Kincardine won the duathlon relay. The team included Zara Hartwick, Erin Murray and Abigail Swann. In second, were the Beemers – Liz Beemers and Chelsey Matthews.

In presenting the awards, Duplantis, thanked everyone who helped out with the event, including the many volunteers, St. John Ambulance, Dr. Damian Gunaratne, the Kincardine Lions who ran the barbecue, and Sobeys, No Frills and Pillers for donating the food.

“This is our 20th race and it means a lot to us and to the community,” she said.

Michele Gade said the 20th anniversary is a big deal for this event which was started by Janet Bannerman, a physical therapist in Kincardine.

“She was a special lady and she founded the Kincardine Women’s Triathlon as a safe space for women to race,” said Gade. “She always promoted women’s health and fitness. It’s wonderful that her daughter and granddaughter, Melanie and Taylor Carney, are racing today.”