Surprise entry Butterfield wins Tokio Triathlon

SUNDAY, JUNE 10: Tyler Butterfield cruised to victory in the Tokio Millennium Re Triathlon this morning in Hamilton.

It was no surpise the London Olympics-bound would win the event, the shock came that he was even entered.

Butterfield said he made a late decision to do the race when he figured it would not interrupt his training schedule the London Games.

“I looked at the flights and could sneak in the race and be home on Monday and not miss one swim.

“Friday morning I didn’t have a ticket, but by noon I did. I overnighted in Toronto and then arrived here on Saturday.

“This was a last minute decision but Tokio has helped me out so much.”

Butterfield said this was a thank you to the reinsurer for being part of his financial team, which includes the Bermuda Olympic Association and his parents Jim and Debbie Butterfield.

“They (Tokio) don’t get to see me very much so it was nice to help them get some direct publicity.”

Butterfield said the conditions today were good with calm waters for the swim.

“I went hard - I didn’t mess around as I’m training for London. It was nice to have someone to swim with for a little bit as Graham Smith was there and on the bike Dominic (Mayho) was there and then on the run I was just trying to have a fast time.”

Tyler’s dad Jim was just as shocked as anyone to see his son back in Bermuda.

“I was totally surprised. When a friend of mine walked down the ramp with a suitcase, I had no idea it belonged to Tyler. Shortly thereafter, Tyler showed up.

“It was totally cool to have as it adds interest for kids.”

Jonathan Herring was the pre-race favourite and didn’t mind coming in second place to his good friend Butterfield.

“Quite frankly, if I had the choice between to compete against a bunch of weekend warriors like myself or against one of my oldest mates – I’ve known him since I was three years old – and to have him entered as a pro, I’d take competing against him any day of the week. It definitely motivated me a lot.”

Herring said his overall performance was “okay” as he could have done better on the bike but his run made up for it.

Kristyn Tobey Robinson successfully defended her women’s title but had to overcome her teammates Laurie Orchard and Belinda Castree to do it.

She came out of the water behind them and had to track them down on the bike to win.

“I was pleased (with my performance). I definitely came out of the water with a deficit so I was chasing, but I loved the bike as it was flat and fast.

“I could really make up a lot of distance and time.

“My teammate Laura Orchard and Belinda can really haul in the water so I could really see my green machines ahead of me and they lead me through the bike so it was just fun.”

It took just over three laps on the bike to pass her teammates.

Robinson said she felt “calm and confident” on the run as she cruised to her second Tokio title.

She felt the conditions today were good.

“I’ve done this course when the water was so choppy that you couldn’t see the boats but it was nice and flat in the water.

“It was hot (on the bike and run) but at least there was no wind so it was just me against the clock so I could just dig deep and go for it.”

The Berkeley Institute team of Dejan Wellman (swim), Vashon Cann (bike) and Juma Mouchette took the first ever Secondary Schools Challenge.

Berkeley was third going into the run but Mouchette made up the distance on two Saltus teams to bring bragging rights to his school.