The ‘Eilatim' triathlon group, led by coach Manny Kislasi, had a record participation of 45 athletes, in the ‘Mitzad Ha'Agudot' event.  The team won a very respectable third place, after the Ayalot team from the central region and the Tri Caesaria group.  This is a precedent for Eilat.

The winners got loads of cheers from the crowd and their supportive team mates during the closing ceremony, when ascending the podium one by one to be awarded their trophies.  The 12^th annual Gan Shmuel triathlon, held at the end of September, drew 1100 competitors from all over Israel.  The ‘Eilatim' team, numbering around 90 adult athletes, was welcomed home to Eilat while being given letters of commendation and congratulation.

[Photos courtesy of Eilatredc]

Coach Manny Kislasi summed up the competition, saying “I am proud of every one of the athletes who, in spite of the difficult weather conditions, ten of them placed and all the rest of them finished the competition with a smile, happiness, and great satisfaction.  My athletes were ready for any variation, to prevent surprises or last minute changes by the competition organizers due to the bad weather.  This, for me, was the real test.  I could see the self-confidence and readiness that each of them showed when we were told of the changes the evening before the competition, much pride.”