Florence Chretien, 40, of South Salem, N.Y. was the top female finisher for the third year in a row in today’s Westport Kiwanis Triathlon at Compo Beach. Describing herself as “a professional triahlete,” she is pictured holding daughter Jackie, 2. She also has a son, James, 16. The fundraiser consisted of a point-to-point swim and a shorter bike and run course through area neighborhoods. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

With official time of 37.31, Team 421 Elite members (l-r)  Gage Holzhauer, 17, of Ridgefield and Staples High School seniors Jake Troelstra and North Woods came in first for the team entrants in today’s Westport Kiwanis Triathlon, which consisted of a half-mile swim, 5.5-mile bike course, and a 2.2-mile run. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Scenes from today’s Westport Kiwanis Minuteman Triathlon at Compo Beach. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Alex Zarikos, 14, of New Canaan is presented with the Doug Sheffer Cup today at the Longshore Sailing School by school head John Kantor. He won 11 out of 12 races in a Longshore competition. The newly inaugurated Doug Sheffer Cup is emblematic of the junior program”s “Top Gun,” according to Kantor. It is named in memory of Doug Sheffer, one of the original instructors at the sailing school (1975-78).  Joining in the presentation were Sheffer’s sister, Ann Sheffer, and aunt, Susan Malloy, both of Westport. Sheffer died in January in a Colorado helicopter crash at age 63. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Four Westport youngsters were on Team Trumbull, which won the 12 and under Intermediate Division JTT New England State Championship title in a USTA tournament in New Haven. Pictured (l-r) are Jackson Slattery, 10 (not a Westport resident); Amelia Galin, 10; Alexander Visser, 10; Luke Brodsky, 10, and Tighe Brunetti, 10. Coach Mike Slattery, who has been coaching the young players since the age of 6, is in the back. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Maria Fotin, 7, of Westport was among the Chelsea Tigers from Stamford’s Chelsea Piers Tennis Club who won the Connecticut State Championship title in the 8 and under category. Maria, a rising second grader at Greens Farms Academy, is sister of Michael Fotin, 9, who was ranked New England’s top tennis player among boys 10 and under in July, according to the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He is entering fourth grade at Greens Farms Academy. (See WestportNow July 23, 2014) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

James Blake of Westport hits a back hand stroke to Jim Courier tonight at the Connecticut Open in New Haven at an exhibition match. Blake, 34, a former world No 4, defeated Courier, 44, a former world No. 1, in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Although retired, Blake plays on the PowerShares Series tour with other former stars like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Andy Roddick. Blake will play Roddick in another Connecticut Open exhibition match on Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Douglas Healey for WestportNow.com

A spectator shouted “Go Westport!” before the start of tonight’s exhibition match between Westport’s James Blake and Jim Courier at the Connecticut Open in New Haven. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Douglas Healey for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

Geographically, it is all downhill, admits Lucas Fortini, director of cycling for Sherpa Fitness at Westport’s 1555 Post Road East.

In Westport, Team Sherpa members taking part in this weekend’s CT Challenge are (l to r) Lucas Fortini, Brett Jones and Jean Desrosiers, owner of Sherpa Fitness on Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) James Lomuscio for WestportNow.com

Still, that doesn’t mean Friday’s 85-mile trek from Lakeville in Litchfield County to the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport will be a breeze. He expects a lot of pedaling, pumping and uphill climbs.

“We roll out of Lakeville at 7:30, and everybody should be reaching the Hunt Club by noon,” Fortini said about the 10th annual CT Challenge Bike Ride taking place Friday and Saturday, raising funds to support programs for cancer survivors.

On Saturday, Fortini plans to be back on his light weight, full carbon racing bike at 7:30 a.m. to complete a 100-mile loop from the Hunt Club through northern Fairfield County and back.