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Kate McIlroy, Aaron Royle triumph over Dutch in Kinloch
Australia’s Aaron Royle made the most of Beijing Olympian Kris Gemmell’s misfortune to win the 2012 Kinloch OTU Sprint Triathlon Oceania Cup.
Wearing the number one for the event, Gemmell was forced to retire due to mechanical failure on the bike, when his derailler broke, bringing his race to an abrupt end.
But one man’s misfortune was another man’s gain and Royle, runner-up in last year’s Oceania Championship, seized the opportunity to record a 4-second win over Dutchman Jan van Berkel in second with fellow Australians Jamie Huggett and Peter Kerr in third and fourth respectively.
Royle produced his trump card on the bike, exiting onto the run alongside New Zealand pair Tom Davison and Edward Rawles with the two Kiwi youngsters keeping the elite company honest.
“I came into this race confident, it is my first race for the year and I know I am probably the fittest I have ever been,” said Royle. “I was able to get a good swim and really take it out on the bike (and it was) the bike that got me the win today. We had a good group, (including) Rawles and Davison and for a while Richard Varga.
“I was concerned knowing that there were a few good guys that could bridge the gap on the run if my legs didn’t keep me going but I was able to push through to the end and hold the lead.”
Meanwhile in the women’s race, New Zealand’s Kate McIlroy recorded an impressive season opener, running away from the ever improving Dutch pair of Rachel Klamer and Danne Boterenbrood. McIlroy’s teammates Debbie Tanner ran home fourth and Nicky Samuels finished fifth.
This group of five established a strong lead early on the bike after exiting the 750m swim together, with the field trailing behind as the pace went on around the tight and demanding multi-lap 20km bike course.
Onto the 5km run it was Samuels who faded first, leaving the two Dutch and two Kiwis to hammer away in front of a huge crowd lining the Kinloch course. Into the home straight for the final time it was McIlroy who proved strongest, pulling away in a great display of strength and leg speed, especially for so early in the season.
“I’m really happy, it was a really hard race, we pushed the whole way,” said McIlroy. “The bike was aggressive and on the run there was a group of us pushing the whole way. Team tactics didn’t come into it at all; I think we all had a plan of trying to bike really hard and keep the chasing group away from us and maintain that gap.
“Once on the run the pace was...
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USAT Sets 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series
With the aim of providing increased domestic competitive opportunities for the nation’s top paratriathletes, USA Triathlon has established the 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series, a three-race series held in conjunction with some of the nation’s top multisport events.
The sprint-distance series kicks off with the 2012 USA Paratriathlon National Championship, contested alongside the Capital of Texas Triathlon on May 28 in Austin, Texas. Paratriathlon Nationals will serve as the primary selection event for the 2012 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, on Oct. 22. Visit usatriathlon.org for a full list of qualification criteria.
Other 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series stops include the Denver Triathlon on June 10 and the Nickel City Triathlon on Sept. 16 in Buffalo, N.Y. - the day after the 2012 USA Triathlon Elite National Championship.
“This USA Paratriathlon Race Series will provide access to higher levels of competition and increased visibility for the sport of paratriathlon. It will be great for these inspirational athletes to go from a single event in the U.S. to a three-race series,” USA Triathlon High Performance Senior Manager Andy Schmitz said. “We are looking forward to the continued growth of paratriathlon in the U.S. and worldwide.”
Historically one of the world’s top paratriathlon performers, the U.S. has earned more than one-fourth of all possible podium finishes at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships since 2008. Paratriathlon will make its Paralympic Games debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.
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ITU Level 2 Coaching Course in Subic Bay, Philippines
ITU Development was in the Philippines this past week for an ITU Level 2 Coaching Course in Subic Bay. With the increasing presence of Asian triathletes on the world stage, it is such programmes that will not only ensure they are here to stay, but also pave the way for a new generation of high level coaches.
The five day course is a development initiative focusing on advancing coaching levels in the Philippines and Asian region. Funded by Olympic Solidarity with the support of the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines, participants attended from Egypt, Iran, Philippines, Singapore and Zimbabwe. Anthony Lozada from the Philippines believes the course not only offered knowledge, but also encouragement.
“The course has not only equipped me with the necessary tools to produce elite level athletes, the ITU facilitators also inspired me to pursue this challenging task,” said Lozada.
The three ITU facilitators imparting their expertise were Luc Morin from Canada, Sergio Santos from Portugal and Libby Burrell, Director of ITU Development.
“The course is a great opportunity for coaches to gather and be exposed to current methods and the experiences of our facilitators,” said Burrell. “We are always lucky to have the invaluable support and enthusiasm of everyone involved. It is really an encouragement for the development in Asia.”
The course also welcomed Triathlon Association of the Philippines President and ITU Executive Board member, Tom Carrasco who travelled to Subic Bay to meet with the group on Wednesday and Thursday.
ASTC Development Coordinator Ki Woo Kyung was also in attendance at the applied course that integrates sports science with the specific preparation, planning and evaluation of the ITU junior and U23 triathlete.
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Triathlon Association of the Philippines receives Olympic Solidarity boost for Green Triathlon
Triathlon in the Philippines has received another green boost, with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines gaining an Olympic Solidarity grant to help fund its first Green Tri workshops for 2012.
TRAP is a strong supporter of the ITU’s sustainability message and launched its Green Tri initiative last year. This year it has successfully secured a grant for its Green Triathlon Initiatives 2012 from the Olympic Solidarity programme under its ‘2009-2012 Quadrennial Plan for Sports and the Environment’ programme.
As in 2011, TRAP’s Green Tri programme goals are to reduce and manage pollution and waste in triathlon events. This year, they aim to intensify and widen the promotion of long-term environmental consciousness among all stakeholders of triathlon - from triathletes, coaches, officials, media, to sponsors, fans, venue hosts and suppliers.
“We hope that our efforts will create an imitable example for our partner race organizers in the provinces and, perhaps, our colleagues in other sports federations in the country,” said Tom Carrasco, TRAP President and ITU Treasurer.
And TRAP is already spreading that message, after the first Green Tri Initiative workshop on January 28. The full day workshop had participants from media, sponsors, venue hosts, TRAP officials and volunteers, with an aim to draw up actionable green plans for 2012.
“The workshop went very well. The participants were well represented, enthusiastic and participative. Useful info was shared by speakers from Greenpeace, Ayala Foundation, a solar energy expert and a manager from an ISO certifying body,” said Carrasco.
TRAP also have planned follow-up workshops in March and April, development of a website, management and promotion of a Facebook page and full implementation of green plans in triathlon events. For more information on TRAP’s Green Tri initiative, including the chance to sign a pledge of support, please click here.
For more on the ITU’s committment to sustainability, please click here.
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ITU announces 2012 and 2013 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to announce the 2012 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships will be held in Pelham, Alabama, on May 19 in a partnership with the XTERRA Southeast Championship. The event will feature $20,000 USD in prize money for elite athletes, who will compete over a 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run. Under23, junior, age-group and paratriathlon races will also be contested in Pelham.
Marisol Casado, ITU President & IOC Member:
“The triathlon and multisport family is extensive and far reaching and ITU is delighted to form a partnership with XTERRA for our 2012 Cross Triathlon World Championships. We are confident the strong race organization and dynamic course will continue to push Cross Triathlon to a new level.”
Dave Nicholas, Race Director, XTERRA Southeast Championships
“TEAM unlimited is excited about bringing the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship to the USA. By combining the XTERRA series with ITU we are reaching new heights in cooperation between directors and the federations. Oak Mountain and Shelby County are the perfect place to host this event.”
The course at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, located in the southernmost part of the Appalachian Chain, is praised by competitors as being one of the most fun, fast, scenic and difficult on the XTERRA schedule. Pelham will mark the second ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships, following last year’s successful event in Extremadura, Spain won by Canadian Melanie McQuaid and South Africa’s Conrad Stoltz. Both McQuaid and Stoltz are also the defending champions in Pelham.
ITU has also awarded the 2013 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships to Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands. The event is slated for July 13, 2013 and will offer 35,000 EUR in prize money for elite athletes and will also hold under23, junior age-group and paratriathlon categories. In preparation for the event, the city will host the European Cross Triathlon Championships this year.
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