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Another major sports event has been derailed by the credit crunch with the cancellation of the Escape to Bermuda Triathlon.

The event - which only this month was the subject of a stunning photo-spread in Triathlete Magazine - had attracted accolades from around the world with top performers like 2008 winner Matty 'Boom Boom' Reed and Ironman world champion Chris McCormack singing its praises.

But budget cuts within the tourism department have meant that, despite its burgeoning reputation as one of the 'majors' of the pro triathlon circuit, the 'Escape' event had had to go.

Privately some fear the event has been made the fall guy for some of tourism's less successful ventures, like the international music festival.

But the message from organisers yesterday was upbeat and optimistic that the triathlon would be back - bigger and better in 2010.

"We're confident that the event will go ahead next year, provided we are over the recession or showing signs of coming out of it," said local race director Neil de Ste Croix. Promoter IMG is understood to have taken the decision to cancel after talks with tourism officials.

Once the department indicated that it would not be able to match its six-figure sponsorship deal from previous years, the U.S. sports marketing company took the decision to 'postpone' the event.

Fears that an alternative sponsor would not come forward in the current economic climate are also said to have influenced the decision.

Poor timing

The revelation is poorly timed coming as the event achieved global exposure with a feature in U.S. based Triathlete magazine.

The magazine's senior editor Matt Fitzgerald travelled to Bermuda in October to take part in the triathlon, describing it as a 'special event' in a six page feature.

No one from IMG was available for comment yesterday but the company is understood to have sent out a 'be positive' message to all the local organisers, assuring them they will do everything they can to bring the event back in 2010.

Escape to Bermuda began in 2007 as part of the prestigious Escape from Alcatraz series. It involved competitors being dropped off from a ferry a mile off Dockyard, swimming to the west end, cycling the length of the island and then completing a two-mile run in St. George's.

As well as a host of top pros the 2008 event attracted over 200 amateurs to the island to compete.[[In-content Ad]]

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