Iron Teams Relay
a celebration of athleticism
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
In a celebration of athleticism in which competitors of all ages take part, the 27th annual Iron Teams Relay once again attracted scores of island participants Sunday.

Nantucket High School sophomore River Bennett paddles from Monomoy to Coatue during Sunday's Iron Teams Relay. Bennett was part of the team Hang Ten, an under-18 group of athletes that also included Caroline Stanton, James Lewis, Meghan Lynch, Justine Paradis and Caroline Powers.

The annual event that helps raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nantucket, puts less emphasis on competition and more on the spirit of teamwork, as entrants run, paddle, swim and bike to the finish line. As Anita Nettles, who ran the 6.5 mile road race as part of the Wahines team said Sunday afternoon, "It's the tenth time I've taken part, and we never train."

Smiles were the order of the day at the finish line on Daves Street, as competitors checked the leader board and congratulated one another. Nantucket High School aquatics director Jim Pignato, who paddled a surfboard from Monomoy to Coatue as a member of the third place Triple Eight Vodka team, said his team's goal was all in the timing. "We wanted to break three hours this year, and we did."

High school swim team member Beau Garufi, meanwhile, who was enlisted for the swimming leg just days before the race, finished in second place overall in that particular event. He said the late spring harbor water temperatures weren't too bad. "It wasn't as cold as I thought it was going to be," he said. "And I wasn't wearing a wetsuit."

It's all for a good cause, and the festive atmosphere underscored the camaraderie.

For the record, the top four finishing teams were: A Taste of Nantucket; Hatch And Burns; Triple Eight Vodka and Power Toole Plus.

The top individual participant was Nicholas Wispelwey, who also finished fifth overall. Coming in second was Bill Driggs, who finished ninth overall, followed by Joe O'Leary (12th overall), Levy Barna (18th overall) and Douglas Armstrong (20th overall). Rounding out the top ten individuals were John Cavanaro, Kyle Campbell, Sarah Riley, Adam Ross and

Seth Moskos. I