TRIPORT Triathlon Festival organisers have vowed to improve their traffic management plan next year following lengthy delays in Port Douglas yesterday.

The competition itself was a major success with competitors happy with the triathlon course, but organiser Fiona Lenz conceded the traffic build up on Port Douglas Road was longer than anticipated.

Road closures and detours were in place from 7.30am with the main field of riders on the road between 8am-9.30am.

“There was more traffic build up than what we thought which is something we’ll need to look at for next year,” Lenz said.

“We thought that with the communication we did people might try and avoid the area a little bit, but given it is a busy time of the year and a Sunday it was busier than expected so we’ll definitely look to improve in that area.

“We thought there might be a delay (for drivers) of 10 to 15 minutes but it was more like 20-30 mins. The event actually finished an hour earlier than expected which I guess countered it a little bit.”

John Morris, owner of the Bally Hooley Steam Railway, said he would have liked to have offered services over the weekend to help reduce traffic congestion. He hopes organisers will be in contact with all business directly next year who may be able to assist well before the event is staged.

In sunny but windy conditions Matt Hutchinson took out the male Olympic distance event with Emily Houston saluting in the female category.

Participants battled it out in three categories with the Olympic event the jewel in the crown.“It was a fantastic day and the weather was perfect for it," Lenz said.

“There was a bit of swell around but the feedback from all the competitors was great. They just love Port Douglas and there are not many better locations for it than here."

To see the full results CLICK HERE.