Jopson wins open crown

NOY JOPSON nailed his second male open title in the Triathlon Team Championship Series by topping the second leg yesterday in Salagdoong Beach in Maria, Siquijor.

Jopson crossed the finish line with a time of two hours, 18 minutes and 49 seconds to once again rule the category.

The top Filipino finisher in the Ironman World Championship in Kona Hawaii last year had a slightly better time yesterday than in the first leg, where he clocked 2:20:19.

He was trailed by Ralph Martin Sios-E, who came in barely three minutes later at 2:21:25. Sios-E is also an Ironman 70.3 finisher.

Gerrie Calinawan was less than a minute behind Sios-E with a time of 2:22:07.

Rochelle Tan dominated the distaff side after clocking 2:54:47. Loveleinell Casidsid improved her first leg third place finish with a second-place finish this time (3:23:45). Placing third was Michelle Garcia Shlachter, who had a time of 3:30:02.

Emmanuel Comendador ruled the male 20-29 after he breasted the tape in 2:23:56 . Jose Merdino Lim clocked 2:27:06 to top the male 30-39 category. The male 40-49 category was lorded by Trino Rey Trasmonte with a time of 2:32:29 . Ric Dizon captured the male 50 & above title with a time of 3:06:35 .

The female open title went to Pamela Apuhin after she finished the whole race in 3:50:50.

Dominating the tandem/relay competition was team Tri One. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON