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An action packed triathlon mixed relay is the latest innovation on the sporting front in the NatWest International Island Games.
With short swim, bike and run legs all based around the Albert Pier, close racing and the prospect of some spectacular running dives - the event is particularly fan friendly.
It will bookend the week for triathletes, who will also be some of the first to compete on the Sunday when the traditional individual event takes place.
“Fast and Furious,” was how triathlete Amy Critchlow described what to expect from the relay to Express’ Beyond the Games podcast.
The relay begins at 16:00 on Friday 14 July.
Each island will have a team of three - two men and a woman - completing a super sprint distance triathlon in turn.
The transition and handover point is on the Albert Pier.
Pictured: The triathletes will be competing in a new event on the Friday of Games week.
Competitors will run down the cruise ship pontoon, dive in before swimming straight out to a turn buoy by the Fish Quay, they swim back into Albert Marina on the rising tide and run up the slipway.
The bike will take place on a 1.5km circuit on the town seafront, turning behind the Guernsey Information Centre and the Slaughterhouse, each leg doing four laps, and then the run will be a sharp 1.5km turning on Crown Pier.
“This the first time this mixed relay has been on and we’d love it to be a really, really big success. And hopefully it'll continue in Games to follow.”
On Sunday 9 July, triathletes will compete in a more traditional Olympic distance event based around Rocquaine from 11:50.
The 1500m swim will see competitors exit the water at the halfway point and turn around a mark before running back in what is known as an Australian exit.
The three lap, 40km bike towards Lihou, looping around the headland, before going up L’Eree hill, turning right at the filter to go past the Mallard, out to Pleinmont and down the hill.
The three lap run is also spectator friendly, from transition triathletes run towards Le Coudre where they u-turn, come back along the road, head towards the Fairy Ring where there is another dead turn.
The Guernsey Triathlon Club’s young members will be lining the slipway cheering competitors in and out of the water.
Road closures will be in place for both triathlon races.
Pictured: Sunday's triathlon course.
Rue du Portelet and Route de la Lague will be closed from 08:00 until 17:30 on Monday, and the rest of the course from 11:30 to 16:00.
The St Peter Port seafront shuts on Friday between 05:00 and 20:00 from North Esplanade to La Vallette to cater for the half marathon, cycling criterium and triathlon relay.
Listen to the full interview focussing on triathlon, including how a year ago Amy's Games dream was dented by a broken collar bone, as part of Express’ 'Beyond the Games' podcast series, a daily insight into the Island Games proudly sponsored by SG Kleinwort Hambros Bank Limited, Jersey branch and Guernsey branch:
Pictured top: Guernsey's women's triathlon team in Gibraltar 2019, l-r, Megan Chapple, Amy Critchlow, Emily Squire and Chantel Green.
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