THE conditions were almost beyond perfect for this year’s Shoreline Triathlon in Bude.

The sea was as flat as a mirror and as blue as the unclouded sky above. Temperatures were in the mid-twenties, a little too hot for the 300 plus competitors in this annual classic triathlon.

The Shoreline Triathlon, now in its 26th year, makes the most of the dramatic North Cornish coast.

The 500m open water sea swim starts by Bude’s canal lock gates and takes the swimmers out into the Atlantic, following the line of the town’s nineteenth century breakwater.

Once they turn the outer Buoy they then return to Summerleaze beach with a hard slog up through soft sand and into the transition area.

Next comes the 15km cycle, starting with a circuit of the town before heading out to Widemouth Bay along the dramatic coast road. Back to Bude and a 5km run to finish taking in the town and the historic Bude canal towpath.

Elite competitors are looking at completing the event in just under an hour, where as many are just hoping to finish.

At 4pm precisely, the first wave of competitors set off into the sea. Alex Pillage set the fastest swim of the day in just nine minutes, five seconds, but with only a narrow lead going into transition over the chasing Ian Wright.

Ian took control during the cycle leg and finished this second discipline with just over a 30 second lead. Being a strong runner, Ian extended his lead in this final leg and crossed the finishing line in first place in a time of 59 minutes and seven seconds, the only competitor on the day to break the one-hour barrier.

Alex Pillage finished 2nd and Jon Waters came in 3rd.

The women’s race was just as competitive with over 40’s lady Anna Cullen being the first woman over the line, Hannah Wright was 2nd and Ruth Tucker 3rd.

In a wonderful gesture Ruth Tucker, after a short rest, encouraged Rebecca Wills to not give up and ran with her on the final run leg once again. Well done to Ruth and to Rebecca for sticking with it!

Other age group winners included Wai Ming Loh (over 40 men), Andrew Smith (over 50 men), Steve Fenney (over 60 men) and Anthony Craig (over 70 men).

For the women Anna Cullen (over 40), Hannah Wright (senior), Helen Kula-Przezwanski (over 50). The winning youth was Samuel Kaplin and the winning relay team was Bude Ladies.

For a full set of results please go to www.shorelineactivities.co.uk

The next Bude-based event will be the Bude Surf Life saving Club 2km open water sea swim from Northcott to Crooklets on July 8, the quadrathlon then on September 15 and new this year the Cornish Nutcracker cycle hill climbs between Bude and Boscastle on September 23.