THE achievements of Wight Tri athletes were celebrated at the club’s annual AGM and Awards Evening, held at the Castle Inn, Newport.

Super veteran Liz Dunlop received the female triathlete accolade, with veteran, Craig Wilson handed the male award.

Dunlop represented GB’s age group team, in the 65-69 category, at major world and European championships, winning a gold and three bronze medals, as well as two gold medals at the English Triathlon Sprint and Standard Championships and bronze at the British Standard Triathlon Championships.

Craig has completed several triathlons this season, including his first Ironman event, the Ironbourne, finishing fifth in the 50-54 category. 

Known affectionately as ‘Mr Consistency’, Craig also won both the Wight Tri Sprint and Wight Tri Standard Triathlon Championships. 

New member, Arielle Elton-Walters, who has shown an amazing commitment to all of the Wight Tri events this season, won the duathlete award and jointly won the nominated Winter Duathlon Series Award.

The most improved triathlete award was jointly won by new member Laoise Bennis, who bagged an age group win at the Bournemouth Sprint, and Mike Kimber, who has showed a huge improvement in all disciplines.

The Club Volunteer Award was presented to Neil Cooper and Steve Dines, who have invested a huge amount of time in the club, as events officer and chairman respectively.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to Neil, for his continued support to the club — for his hard work, dedication and commitment, with “nothing too much trouble” for him, despite holding down a very pressurised job and family commitments.

The Percy Veerance Award was presented to Ant Mildenhall for his perseverance and endeavour to complete the Winstanton Ironman — his first — in such horrendous weather conditions, while Mike Kimber received the Golden Crank Award for accumulating numerous ‘faut pas’ in his triathlon journey this year.

The following awards were also presented on the evening — Arielle Elton-Walters (female cross-country champion); Roy Young (male champion); Arielle Elton-Walters and Craig Wilson (Duathlon Series Award); Paul Webb (Splash ‘n’ Dash Series Award); Jan Fletcher (female sprint tri champion); Craig Wilson (male champion); Rob Doorly (club champion, nominated); Jan Fletcher (fastest female tri club champion); Craig Wilson  (male club champion).

The Isle of Wight's Island Games chairman, Kev Winchcombe, was the awards master of ceremonies.