COMMONWEALTH Games triathlon man Tim Rogers came ninth in his age group in his first world championships last Sunday.

Competing in the 40-44 age group in the heat of Honolulu, Hawaii, Rogers finished in 2 hr 4 min 55 sec.

He was 32nd after the swim leg but then put in his customary fast bike leg to move up through the field before clinching a top ten finish with a solid run.

Rogers said: ‘I was pleased with my result, it’s been a very long season after starting in April with the aim of gaining a Commonwealth Games qualifying time.

‘After winning a bronze at the British National Championships in Kent in July I couldn’t turn the worlds down and I’m glad I didn’t.

‘It’s been unique for me to go so far away and learn a lot about time zones and heat.

I can now build that into my programme for future events.

‘The weekend before I went away I had a crash with a car on Rozel hill and although I pulled a couple of chest muscles it did not affect my performance.

It goes to show you can be as fit as you like but there is also an element of luck that you need now and again.

‘The swim course was tightly packed with waves of 130 to 160 swimmers going off every ten minutes.

Packs caught up groups in front of them and it was aggressive at times getting through.

Twice I nearly lost my goggles while I also had a forceful kick in the ribs.

Transition ‘It was a no-wetsuit swim and having prepared in St Ouen’s Bay it was good preparation for myself and the other Jersey Triathlon Club members.

‘My bike is my best discipline and although it was horrendously windy and demanding going out on the course it was a cruise coming back at around 32 miles an hour.

‘I got back very quickly and I was surprised how few had got to the transition area before me and, thankfully, I finished off with a workmanlike run to place ninth.’ Michael Lucas, who has competed successfully in previous world championships, was 43rd after the swim leg, and moved up through the field with a strong bike and run to finish in 2 hr 21 min 10 sec and was 28th overall in the men’s 50-54 age-group.

In the women’s 25-29 group world newcomers Jenny O’Brien and Helen Mackenzie put in solid performances with O’Brien coming 63rd in 2 hr 33 min 4 sec.

Mackenzie finished 90th in 2.45.39.

Lucas said: ‘All week we had been concerned how we’d cope with the humidity and heat and even with the early start we knew that by the time we’d completed the swim and the bike it would be very hot, and it was.

‘It was a very arduous course and we’re all pretty jubilant, not just to complete the event, but to finish with great credit.’ Gary Jones, president of the Jersey Triathlon Club said: ‘I am delighted by the performances of all our participants.

Special mention must go to both Jenny and Helen, who less than 18 months ago were novices and have now competed on the world stage.

‘It shows what can be achieved with sustained hard-work and training.’ Rogers added: ‘It’s a hell of an achievement for a small club like ours to have four competitors at the Worlds – and it could have been six had Paul Clements and Scott Pitcher gone but they are resting before the Commonwealth Games.

‘Germany didn’t send any while there were only 14 from France.

There was great rivalry on race day while before it the camaraderie was fantastic.’ Rogers is now looking forward to three weeks rest.

All four World triathletes were sponsored by the Jersey Triathlon Club and they received assistance from Education, Sport and Culture.

Further details on the JTC on www.jerseytriclub.org