Triathlete dies while competing in Hamptons, police, event organizer say

A 34-year-old competitor died Sunday during the Mighty Hamptons Steve Tarpinian Memorial Triathlon near Sag Harbor and North Haven, according to Southampton Town police and the event organizer.

The man became distressed during the swim portion of the race off Long Beach in Noyac Bay shortly before 8 a.m., Det. Sgt. Gina Laferrera said in an interview Monday.

He was taken to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital where he was pronounced dead, she said.

Police are not identifying the man pending notification of his family, she said.

In an email Monday, Vicki Ventura of EventPower, which organized the race, wrote "We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of a male athlete who suffered a medical emergency during the swim portion of yesterday's Mighty Hamptons Triathlon. Our sport of triathlon lost a member of our beloved community. We extend our deepest condolences to the athlete’s family and friends and we offer them our support as they go through this unimaginable time. We also thank the first responders on scene for their assistance. We request privacy for the family as they navigate this loss."

In 2016, a Westchester County man died during the swim portion of the Smith Point Spring Triathlon in Narrow Bay, another EventPower event. 

The Mighty Hamptons triathlon is one of the largest and oldest on the East Coast, attracting hundreds of competitors. The triathlon’s website describes an Olympic triathlon course including a roughly mile-long out-and-back swim along the shore of the bay, a 23.8-mile bike ride  and a 6.2-mile run. A super-sprint course offers shorter distances.

By Nicholas Spangler

nicholas.spangler@newsday.comspanglernewsday

Nicholas Spangler is a general assignment reporter and has worked at Newsday since 2010.