Coconuts on the Beach is the site for this year's West Is Best Triathlon, the precursor to the Iron Man Triathlon in May. Athletes, both professional and amateur, adult and youth divisions competed in this event.

	It is 6:45 AM in Frederiksted at Coconuts on the Beach. Athletes are arriving, dresssing and donning various equipment for the swim, bike, run triathlon. Some are entered as relay teams, with three individuals, one for each leg of the sport.

	At precisely 7:00 AM the call is made to all athletes to prepare for the starting instructions. The kayak teams are still getting into the water and into position for the swim portionof the race.

	Getting out to sea in the kayak is not such an easy thing to do. But then everything gets righted and we're off.

	Meanwhile the timekeepers and all of the contestants were assembling for the instructions and getting their bearings around the course.

	And then they were off.

	However, that was a false start, and everyone is ordered out of the water.

	After everyone gets out, it begins and they can get back in again. Now they are off for two laps around the buoys.

	Who is in the lead, can you tell?

	And around they come for the second lap.

	And then the junior triathletes are set off into the water for one lap.

	And then we have our first triathletes out of the water and on to the bike race.

	As the first prepared to leave on their bikes, a great number of triathletes began to emerge from the sea.

	The bike route was North to Butler Bay and then South to the Vincent Mason Pool and then back to the starting point and back to the pool once more, ending, again, at the starting point. Got that?

	Most athletes went it alone, but some were part of teams. Relay racers wait to be tagged by their swimming partners.

	No shirt, no shoes, no helmet, no riding. Everyone is checked before setting out.

	As the race went on, the sun began to rise over the trees, drying off the swimmers.

	After a while, the first junior athlete emerged from the water and was on her way to her bike.

	Young and old head out on the biking leg.

	More ladies are now on the course.

	The bike park is nearly empty. Now, most of the athletes are already on the bike course.

	A few more athletes hit the road.

	While some were going North, the first riders were now heading South.

	More riders.

	Our boys in blue help to protect our competitors - the road doesn't close for the race - gentle reminders are given to motorists to take care.

	As the first riders perform the turn-around, we all wait in anticipation of the rest soon arriving.

	Could it be that the winner gets that Jeep?

	And some arrivals.

	We are about mid-way through the course.

See West Is Best Pt. 2 for continuation...