Doping, Clenbuterol and that 'British Triathlete positive'
The story so far, as we understand it... the facts.
Overnight, like me, you've probably seen news emerge on social media of a "tested positive" story of a British triathlete at the World Champinoships in Cozumel in September. On a day when we've heard stories of Russian doping on an unprecedented scale, of course, there has been lots of speculation and discussion about the case.
Here is a timeline of the factual information we are aware of - along with a statement from British Triathlon on the case.
Triathlon Magazine Canada
Triathlon Magazine Canada (FULL ARTICLE) originally published a story by Claire Duncan, referencing a news article on the website thelawyer.com (linked to, and reproduced in full below), which outlines, briefly, the background that a 'British Triathlete' (which we can interpret is male, based on the final line of the press release), was cleared of a 'positive' test for Clenbuterol, on the basis put forward and accepted that the low levels in the A and B samples were low and consistent with the ingestion of contaminated meat - a known issue in Mexico, where "the illegal use of Clenbuterol in the cattle industry remains a problem".
The Canadian article would appear to include additional information to that provided by thelawyer.com announcement:
thelawyer.com does not specify that it was an 'elite' athlete.
thelawyer.com references the 'World Championships in Mexico', not the ITU Grand Final (a small detail perhaps, but remember that Cozumel also hosted the Aquathlon World Championships and Age-Group World Championships).
thelawyer.com makes no reference to the statement that "The BTF has stepped forward and supported their athlete throughout the legal process, taking responsibility for not warning their team of the risks of local meat consumption while in Mexico". The statement from British Triathlon (below) makes no reference to this.
Source: thelawyer.com - ARTICLE LINK (accessible via setting up an account)
"Outer Temple Chambers’ Matthew Phillips was instructed to advise and represent a British Triathlete who tested positive for Clenbuterol at the recent World Championships in Mexico. An anti-doping rule violation was asserted by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) against the athlete.
The applicable period of ineligibility for the alleged violation is four years. The levels of Clenbuterol in the athletes A and B samples were low. A defence was forwarded alleging that consumption of contaminated meat prior to the testing was the most likely explanation for the adverse findings.
The illegal use of Clenbuterol in the cattle industry in Mexico remains a problem. The athlete was not warned about the risk of eating meat in Mexico.
Having consulted with WADA, the ITU accepted that the athlete’s defence was “plausible and receivable”. The athlete has been informed that he has no case to answer."
In such cases, given that the WADA / ITU decision was "no case to answer", the case is closed under the current processes and the athletes name is not made public.
What does appear very strange to us... is why would the lawyers, Outer Temple Chambers, "publish" this in the first place? Would they not have a duty of client confidentiality? One can only assume that they would - and have perhaps realised their mistake, since having initially posted the story as news on their own website, the item has now been removed from this link:
http://www.outertemple.com/2016/11/doping-charges-dropped-british-triathlete-represented-matthew-phillips/
(It still remains on thelawyer.com, at https://www.thelawyer.com/outer-temple-successfully-defends-british-triathlete-doping-charges/ - for how long, remains to be seen).
British Triathlon
However, British Triathlon have issued a statement on the case - reproduced in full below - which clearly states that "The athlete concerned is not a member of British Triathlon's World Class Performance Programme". The members of the 2016 World Class Performance Programme are public information - we've got it on our website for example.
So... we can can confirm, despite speculation elsewhere, that the athlete involved is NOT any of the British Elite Senior Male Squad that competed at Cozumel (namely Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee, Adam Bowden or Tom Bishop).
Here is the statement from British Triathlon:
British Triathlon Statement - 9 December 2016
British Triathlon was made aware in October of a possible in-competition anti-doping rule violation at the World Championships in Cozumel.
The athlete concerned is not a member of British Triathlon’s World Class Performance Programme.
The case has been thoroughly investigated, and International Triathlon Union and WADA have concluded that there is no case for the athlete to answer due to contamination in meat.
There are no further steps being taken in this case, which is now officially closed.
British Triathlon CEO, Jack Buckner, commented: “British Triathlon adopts a strong anti-doping stance, working with domestic and international agencies to promote clean sport and fair play. We endeavour through education and training alongside UKAD to increase our athletes’ and staff awareness of the requirements of the anti-doping rules established by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Triathlon Union.”
An Interesting aside - WADA and Testing in Mexico
Here's an interesting aside - possibly unrelated to this specific case? - but interesting nonetheless. Just over two weeks ago, WADA (World Anti Doping Authority) suspended, for a period of up to six months, the accreditation of the Laboratorio Nacional de Prevencion y Control del Dopaje-CONADE (the “Laboratory”) in Mexico City, Mexico. The announcement states "The decision to suspend the laboratory is a direct result of the more stringent quality assessment procedures enacted by WADA to ensure laboratories maintain the highest standards."
Was this laboratory even involved in the testing? I don't have access to that information - but a look at the WADA list of accredited and approved laboratories suggest that it is the only one in Mexico.
The Result?
No doubt there will be more on this in due course - perhaps a statement / further clarification from the ITU will be forthcoming soon? - but as of now (lunchtime Saturday), that is our best summary of the facts - as we understand them - of the case as it stands.
We wouldn't expect any governing body (WADA, ITU, BTF or other) to name the athlete involved since, under their rules and processes, the case is closed, the athlete has been deemed innocent and there is "no case to answer".
BTF responds to 'positive' Cozumel test
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Alice does well in Bahrain...
Alice's adventures in... Bahrain #4 - RACE DAY!
So far we've heard 'Alice get lost', 'Alice makes friends' and 'Alice get ready'... so, how did race day at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain go for British Pro, Alice Hector (www.alicetri.com)?
Well, you can now read 'Alice does well'!
Day 4: Saturday. Race Day
Alice Does Well in Bahrain - 7th.
Seventh - I'll take that in a championship race in winter! With pay cheques for the top-10 (and I believe every one of the top 10 has won an Ironman event before), it was very competitive. Every minute a pro woman ran through the finish chute at the end, so it was a relatively tight affair (as I thought it might be). Whilst perhaps not every second counted, you certainly couldn't afford a mechanical or a sugar crash (or more than one 'restroom visit'). The race was on, and it was good to be a part of an event where you weren't 'flying solo' the whole way. Hopefully pro women's racing will now continue this momentum with its raise in depth and quality.
So to the action. The swim was choppier than it looked. The age group swim was shortened, and we wondered why as it looked just fine, but in there it was turbulent with weird currents going on - kind of fun but physically pretty demanding. I slotted into a pack and simply followed the crowd.
I was a bit sluggish on the bike to start with but revved the old engine up eventually - the winds were high and I had to keep my wits about me but I didn't fall off (unlike the Prince of Bahrain, who fell off his beautiful bicycle at the first corner, ending his race there).
Onto the run, and after going through the first 10k in around 38 minutes feeling great, I started to fade a bit, but the girls were coming for me, so it was a case of forcing it all out in the last 5k! The commentator, Paul Kaye, called me down the finish chute as a "full time triathlete and part time model" as I wobbled in, smeared with grime and looking like something the cat dragged in. I won't hold my breath on an influx of casting calls based on that promotion. But thanks anyway, Paul!
To summarise; I was a bit rusty around the edges but hey, it's December, and now I get to eat chocolate and drink wine for two weeks and realising that is perhaps the best part of my day!
A highlight of the event for me was seeing Emma Pallant nearly stealing the entire show and finishing in second place, after leading for most of the run. It won't be long before she's dominating these events: a true talent and a lovely person!
Bahrain 70.3 in a nutshell:
Beware of the split transition. It takes more time and energy in the days preceding.
There is good transport to and from both venues.
Book into the Four Seasons hotel (if it's the race hotel again next year), if you want everything at its most convenient (we booked too late!)
It can be very windy: pack a deep section front wheel only if you're very confident in gusty conditions.
Great course: it takes in the Formula 1 race track on the bike and a lovely safari park run.
Temperature: 18-20 degrees - perfect for coming from the UK winter!
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2nd for Pallant as Bozzone takes Bahrain
Bozzone stuns in Bahrain as Pallant comes closes to victory
Sarah Crowley (AUS) denies World Duathlon Champion top spot in Bahrain
While she may well be the two-time and reigning ITU Duathlon World Champion, it's not an unreasonable statement to say that Great Britain's Emma Pallant cames close what may well have been the biggest win of her career to date on Saturday, when finishing a close second at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain, the Middle East Championship.
Emma Pallant
One of the leading five athletes that reached T2 within a minute of each other (along with Caroline Steffen (SUI), Diana Riesler (GER), Sarah Crowley (AUS) and Tine Deckers (BEL), at 15km into the run Pallant was in front on the half marathon, holding a narrow lead over the Aussie, Crowley. She couldn't quite hold it to the finish line at the Bahrain International Circuit with the race best 1:20:40 run from Crowley (Pallant clocked 1:22:21), bringing the Australian home first with a winning margin of 1:26. Nonetheless, the British athlete earned $10,000 of the total $100,000 championship prize purse in what has been a busy period of late-season racing.
Now really starting to find her feet at this format and distance of racing, she really does appear to have what it takes to be a contender at the top rank of racing in this format around the world.
Related Article: Alice does well in Bahrain...
As you may have already read (see her race report on the link above), Alice Hector was a strong seventh, with fellow brits Natalie Seymour and Caroline Livesey (both pictured below), 12th and 13th respectively.
Natalie Seymour (12th)
Caroline Livesey (13th)
Terenzo Bozzone performs a back-to-back masterclass
Six days ago New Zealand's Terenzo Bozzone produced his bes ever performance over the Ironman distance when winning Ironman Western Australia in course record time, to join the elite Sub-8 Club.
Tired from that? Well, it didn't show. Speaking to Bahrain Endurance 13 Media, Bozzone commented. "I won Ironman Western Australia last weekend and felt my body starting to come back the last few days. This was really cool. I haven’t been able to stand on the start line here in Bahrain but was able to make it happen this year."
Make it happen he did, the men's race can basically be explained by his bike split - 1:56:48 - versus a host of 2:01 / 2:02's from his nearest rivals. While he was closed down on the run, his 1:15:16 half marathon was still enough to hold off the 1:11:25 of Germany's long-time ITU athlete, Steffen Justus.
IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain Middle East Championship - Saturday 10th December 20161.9km / 90km / 21.1km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 3:41:32
Sarah Crowley (AUS) 4:10:59
2nd
Steffen Justus (GER) 3:42:26
Emma Pallant (GBR) 4:12:25
3rd
Sam Appleton (AUS) 3:44:10
Caroline Steffen (SUI) 4:15:08
4th
Romain Guillame (FRA) 3:48:29
Tine Deckers (BEL) 4:15:43
5th
David Plese (SVN) 3:49:16
Diana Riesler (GER) 4:17:20
6th
Antony Costes (FRA) 3:50:43
Kirsty Jahn (CAN) 4:19:06
7th
Yvan Jarridge (FRA) 3:52:54
Alice Hector (GBR) 4:20:28
8th
Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:56:16
Judith Corachan Vaguera (ESP) 4:21:36
9th
Frederik Croneborg (SWE) 3:56:29
Jessica Jones Meyers (USA) 4:22:18
10th
David Breuer (GER) 3:57:27
Natascha Schmitt (GER) 4:23:36
DNF - Stuart Hayes (withdrew after bike due to calf strain injury)
12th Natalie Seymour - 4:26:1213th Caroline Livesey - 4:27:57DQ Frankie Sanjana
@totkat a few of us were sent the wrong way on the bike course, making it shorter so resulting in DQ 😢
— Frankie Sanjana (@frankiesanjana) December 10, 2016
GB Age-Group Success
F30-34 - Katherine Budd - 3rdF35-39 - Lisa Hancox - 1stF40-44 - Rosie Guy - 1stF45-49 - Sioned Taylor - 1stF45-49 - Clare Farrell - 3rd
M18-24 - George Steel - 3rdM30-34 - Luke Matthews - 2ndM35-39 - Chris Standidge - 1st (11th overall, first AG athlete overall) - 3:57:37M40-44 - Mark Livesey - 1stM50-54 - Chris Knight - 1stM70-74 - Allan Lawrence - 2nd
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Siddall: eight seconds from Taupo victory
Meredith Kessler bests Laura Siddall by just eight seconds in Taupo
There was a British double in terms of international second places on Saturday. As well as Emma Pallant taking second place at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain (full report HERE), former Age-Group World Champion Laura Siddall continued with her great season which began way back in January with a second place at Ironman 70.3 Taupo. A great race, chasing down the multi-talented Meredith Kessler (USA) on the run, at the finish line the difference was just eight seconds! Check out the finish video below.
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...f$*k!
— Laura Siddall (@lmsiddall) December 9, 2016
It's truly been a breakthrough year for Siddall, which has included second place at Challenge Wanaka, fourth at Ironman New Zealand, Sub-9 at Challenge Roth and winner at Challenge Poznan amongst others. Her consistency and quality truly marks her out in the upper echelons now of what is a very deep pool of quality British middle and long distance athletes. Kudos to you 'Sid' - a great year!
The report below is courtesy of Ironman.com / Ian Hepenstall
Tough Battles for Repeat Winners in Taupo
The queen of Taupo and emerging star prevailed in New Zealand.
Braden Currie and Meredith Kessler repeated their winning feats from 12 months ago to mount successful title defenses in a pair of thrilling races at the IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo. A scintillating run enabled Currie to recover from fifth off the bike to hold off fellow Kiwi Mike Phillips by just 33-seconds to clinch an eye-catching victory. American Kessler, who has snared five straight IRONMAN New Zealand titles here in Taupo, clung on to claim a dramatic victory by just eight seconds from the fast-charging Brit Laura Siddall.
Currie gets hot challenge
With cool conditions and a stunning glass lake greeting the athletes at the start, it was Currie who established early control of the race by climbing out of the Lake Taupo waters with fellow Kiwi Mark Bowstead in 24:03. Bowstead assumed the advantage on the 90km bike to open up a 1:35 lead from a three-strong group containing Phillips, American Drew Scott and Australian Lachlan Kerin with Currie dropping back to fifth 3:12 down.
By 5km on the run he had hauled himself up to third within 38 seconds of the then-leader Phillips and hit the lead mid-race before Phillips fought back. A surprised Currie took breath before a final push 5km from home led to victory in 3:52:44 from Phillips. Australia’s former Olympic rower Todd Skipworth closed late on the run for third in 3:56:56.
2016 has been a mixed bag for me, I risked my credibility as an athlete trying to qualify for the Olympics in a discipline I had little experience in, had my first DNF ever, fell short of achieving my long term goal at xterra world's and battled a number of injuries. So stoked to return to the top step again yesterday, and fizzing on 2017! Cheers to my family and friends and all the companies that make this possible @redbullnz @specialized_nz @2xu_newzealand @rhino_rack @bikesureaus @fcactivetravel #bc_endorsed👊 📷@darrylcarey
A photo posted by Braden (@braden_currie) on Dec 10, 2016 at 10:18am PST
Kessler digs deep to hold off Brit
Kessler emerged from the water with her nose ahead of swim specialist Rebecca Clarke of New Zealand in 25:35. Then on the bike, the American opened up a lead before she was caught at the bike turn by the in-form Kiwi Amelia Watkinson. However Kessler managed to push to a 1:47 lead off the 90km bike.
Kessler appeared set for a comfortable win with a 3 minute advantage at the halfway point on the run. However, in a dramatic conclusion, Siddall, who placed third in the 2015 edition and fourth at IRONMAN New Zealand earlier this year, came with a powerful late burst to come within just eight seconds of a relieved Kessler who stopped the clock in 4:22:35. Watkinson, the second-place finisher 12 months ago, had to settle for third today in 4:28:24.
Just because this was so cool to watch! Ladies racing at its finest #Im703taupo cc: @mbkessler @lmsiddall pic.twitter.com/9St7UDQjZ7
— Sue Hutter (@suehutter) December 9, 2016
"Of my seven wins here in Taupo, that was by far the hardest," Kessler said after the race. "Laura was so close—another 100m I think she could have beaten me." Kessler did an IRONMAN three weeks ago in Arizona, and she says she has tried to recover as best as she could. "I am thrilled to win here. And now I will recover and prepare to return here in March for IRONMAN New Zealand and attempt a six-peat which will be no easy task."
IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo - Saturday 10th December 20161.9km / 90km / 21.1km
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Braden Currie (NZL) 3:52:45
Meredith Kessler (NZL) 4:22:36
2nd
Mike Phillips (NZL) 3:53:18
Laura Siddall (GBR) 4:22:44
3rd
Todd Skipworth (AUS) 3:56:57
Amelia Watkinson (NZL) 4:28:25
4th
Eddie Rawles (NZL) 3:57:51
Rebecca Clarke (NZL) 4:42:52
5th
Drew Scott (USA) 3:58:10
Laura Wood (NZL) 4:45:06
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'Chumbawamba' for Alex Yee in Italy...
"Chumbawamba" - (I get knocked down, but I get up again...)
On Sunday, Great Britain's ITU World Junior Duathlon Champion, Alex Yee, was racing in his 'other' sport - representing Great Britain at the European Cross Country Championships in Chia, Sardinia. A more than fine runner in the single discipline, Alex also represented GB on the track this year, finishing ninth with a very speedy 13:52.01 clocking at the IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Alex raced in this championship last year (along with fellow 'triathlete', Ben Dijkstra), finishing in ninth position and earning a team Bronze medal in the process.
Running over a distance of just over 6km in Italy, it wasn't to be his day this year however as - while running comfortably in the lead group at the head of the race - he took a very heavy fall / push (?) and crashed to the ground... before getting back up... and then ending back on the ground again. See the video below.
From first to outside the top 40 in about three seconds. Getting back up, Alex got back into the race to fight his way back to 11th (and a team Bronze), 29 seconds back from race winner Jakob Ingerbrigtsen (NOR).
Not so much fair play today... @Lixsanyee good run after (and before) the fall! #crosscountry #u20men pic.twitter.com/4KNGepU0ER
— Morten Hansen (@Macmorten) December 11, 2016
Having won the trials race in November (six seconds ahead of Mahamed Mahamed, who took individual Bronze in Chia), it might well be a case of "what if" - but, full respect to Alex for his response to events. He's a talented kid with the right attitude and his feet firmly on the ground. Keep up the good work.
Shit happens, back to work
— Alex yee (@Lixsanyee) December 11, 2016
We also spotted another name we recognised. The winner of the women's ITU World Junior Duathlon Championships from earlier this year in Aviles, Spain - Delia Sclabas (SUI) - finished sixth the the women's Under-20 race.
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ITU President is re-elected
Marisol Casado re-elected as International Triathlon Union President
Spain's Marisol Casado was re-elected for her third (and now final), term as ITU President, with long-term Executive Board member and Honourary Vice President, Dr. Sarah Springman, not running for re-election. Sarah's long-term contribution to the sport both in the UK and internationally cannot be underestimated.
Several other British representatives - Ian Howard, Howard Vine, Ben Bright and Duncan Hough were also elected to ITU Committee positions.
Here is the full announcement.
IOC Member Marisol Casado re-elected to third term as ITU President
IOC Member Marisol Casado was re-elected as President of the International Triathlon Union at the 29th Congress on Sunday December 12 in Madrid for a third term. Casado was first elected as ITU’s President in Madrid eight years ago.
“Thank you from the heart for nominating me as President of ITU,” Casado said. “Thank you for believing in my vision, in my leadership, and where I want to take the sport. It is a great honour to be given the responsibility of directing ITU another four years.”
"I received a great legacy, and we are in a very positive situation at ITU. We’ve done a great job as a team, and we have to keep moving in the same direction. We will think about possible changes and, if needed or if we think changes can improve our sport, we will make those changes. We will do whatever is necessary to keep our sport on the spotlight. Triathlon is a loved sport among young people, and we have to continue being popular."
IOC President Thomas Bach, who spoke early in the ITU Congress, praised Casado and ITU as a good example of good governance and sustainability. Bach also thanked Marisol for "her always positive approach to sport, all the initiatives to include Paratriathlon under the triathlon umbrella and also included in the Rio Paralympics, and her willingness to adopt the Agenda 2020."
Board Elections
Loreen Barnett (CAN), Antonio Alvarez (MEX), Ria Damgren Nilsson (SWE) and Shin Otsuka (JPN), all of whom had previously served on ITU’s Executive Board, were elected as Vice Presidents.
Debbie Alexander (RSA) and Barry Siff (USA) were re-elected, while Ian Howard (GBR) joins the Executive Board and Terry Sheldrake (NZL) returns to the Board in a new position.
ITU Board Members Bill Walker (AUS) and Dr. Sarah Springman (GBR) opted not to run for re-election. However, after serving as a dedicated member to the Board for many terms, Walker was named an Honourary Member, joining Springman who is an Honourary Vice President.
In its first meeting as a new Board, they voted to make ITU Director General Antonio Arimany the Secretary General, which is an appointment non-voting member of the Board.
ITU Committee positions
In addition to the Board positions, National Federations voted on several ITU Committee positions.
Shanelle Barrett (NZL), Jorge Garcia (ESP), Howard Vine (GBR), Jamie Cadaval (MEX), David Markham (CAN), Bela Varga (HUN), and Dirk Bogaert (BEL) were elected to the Technical Committee.
The Credentials Committee will be composed of Ashraf Elmidany (EGY), Alicia Garcia (ESP) and Gerardo Zetina (MEX).
Ben Bright (GBR), Inaki Arenal (ESP), Julien Clonen (NZL), Hideki Yamane (JPN), Philippe Fattori (FRA), and Andy Schmitz (USA) were nominated for the Coach’s Committee.
Dr Toshihito Katsumura (JPN), Dr. Sergio Migliorini (ITA), Dr. Doug Hiller (USA), Dr. Claude Marble (FRA), and Dr. Humberto Aguilar Lopez (MEX) will serve on the Medical & Anti-doping Committee.
Gale Bernhardt (USA), Johan Druwe (BEL), David Ferrier (AUS), Heejong Moon (KOR), Aoife Nash (IRL), Ali Sabour (IRN), Bernard Saint-Jean (FRA) will serve on the Constitution Committee.
Sheila O’Kelly (CAN), Tomoko Wada (JPN), Karen Araujo (TTO), Susan Haag (USA), Sharon Oakley (RSA) and Nelly Becarra (MEX) were elected to serve on the Women’s Committee.
The Multisport Committee will be made up of Brian Hinton (AUS), Chris Kitchen (IRL), Tim Yount (USA), Daniel Martin (AUT), Duncan Hough (GBR), Sergio Dias (POR).
Grant Darby (CAN), Jon Beeson (USA), Carolyn Murray (CAN), Alfred Lipp (GER), Neil MacLeod (ITA), Rob Noordzij (NED), and Masamitsu Tomikawa (JPN) were nominated for the Paratriathlon Committee.
Motions Passed at Congress
Six National Federations were included in the ITU triathlon family with Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Congo DRC and Central Africa.
In the interest of good governance, a resolution passed at Congress on Sunday prior to voting to set the term limits of an ITU President to three.
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ERDINGER Athlete of the Month: November 2016
ERDINGER Athlete of the Month - November 2016. And the winner is... TWO PEOPLE!
Last month we announced Alison Rowatt as our ERDINGER Athlete of the Month, presenting her with our award and recognition for October 2016.
It's now time to reveal the recipient of our selection for the month of November 2016.
With the racing calendar significantly reduced in November, we've taken the opportunity to look back at events over the year as a whole - and the many nominations we've received during 2016 - to select a worthy winner, primarily from an event that happened in October. It was such a stand-out performance that while we couldn't recognise it last month, it didn't escape our attention.
As we've said from the outset, picking a winner for this award can be based upon a range of factors including (but not limited to!):
Outstanding performance at one race,
Consistent performances over a number of events,
Recognition of an athlete's efforts over many months, years…or even decades in some cases!
Overcoming setbacks, challenges or obstacles.
We have a long list of people here that we would be massively pleased to present this award to... but we have to select just one, from the many very worthy potential recipients.
Please do continue to keep your nominations coming in through the year, it really is appreciated and they are all reviewed. Read on to find out this months winner...
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE WINNERS FROM 2015 and 2016
NOVEMBER 2016: Haseeb Ahmad & Duncan Shea-Simonds
Well, this is a first for us - the first time we've ever awarded recognised two athletes of the month in the same month. And for good reason, as the primary event we are highlighting is one that they swam every stroke, cycled every pedal revolution and ran every step together - and ended up with an official Guiness World Record.
Haseeb Ahmad had been a long term member of the British Paratriathlon squad, racing in the visually impaired category. Third in the ITU World Championships in Hyde Park in 2013, with the men's visually impaired category not forming part of the Paralympic programme in Rio, Haseeb has been taking on a variety of different sporting challenge in recent years, including a sub three hour marathon and an 83 minute half marathon.
Duncan has been a triathlete now for at least 25 years, winning many National Championship Age-Group medals and racing over all distances - including qualifying for Kona - and this year he also raced at Embrunman and the Breca SwimRun.
Haseeb and Duncan teamed up with Duncan guiding at Ironman Barcelona with one goal - to break the Ironman World Record for a blind athlete. This was also to be Haseeb's first ever Ironman...
With a mark of 11:10:28 to beat, it was a close run thing - but 11 hours three minutes and 31 seconds after starting, a new record was broken. Official confirmation from Guiness World Records followed!
Since this fantastic achievement Haseeb has - quite rightly - been recognised in a number of local awards in his Leicestershire home. We are very pleased to add another well deserved one to his list - while also ensuring that Duncan gets equal kudos for his part of the team too!
We are delighted to make Haseeb Ahmad AND Duncan Shea-Simonds our ERDINGER Alkoholfrei AOTM for November 2016. Haseeb and Duncan will also receive these great prizes courtesy of ERDINGER Alkoholfrei:
1 x 24case ERDINGER Alkoholfrei Cans
2 x Water Bottles
1 x Rucksack
1 x Visor
1 x Multifunctional Scarf
1 x Small Towel
How can I nominate someone?
Simple - two really easy options:
Simply email aotm@tri247.com with who you would like to see recognised and a brief note on why, or,
If you are on Twitter, use the hastag #AOTM and tweet us @tri247 and let us know when you have seen a noteworthy performance, or have someone you would like us to recognise!
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Paratriathlon: Tri4Tokyo launched
Tri4Tokyo starts search for next Paralympic medallists
Paratriathlon enjoyed a memorable debut on Copacabana during the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Now, through British Triathlon’s Tri4Tokyo campaign, the search is on for the athletes who may have the potential to become medal winners themselves at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Triathlon contributed four medals to Paralympics GB’s superb tally this summer through Andy Lewis’ PT2 gold, Lauren Steadman’s PT4 silver and a double medal in the PT5 category with Alison Patrick’s silver (guided by Hazel Smith) and Melissa Reid’s bronze (guided by Nicole Walters). These athletes, together with the majority of their teammates, are already back in training for Tokyo as we begin the search for those to join them on the plane to Japan.
Andy Lewis, a through-knee amputee, joined the British Paratriathlon Talent squad in March 2014 following a Talent ID event. Making steady progress over the first year, in 2015 he became a member of the UK Sport Lottery Funded World-Class Performance Programme, learning his trade as a triathlete and collating a number of noteworthy performances on the way. In 2016, Andy put his experience and hard work to good use to take ETU European and ITU World titles before that glorious gold in Rio.
Alison Patrick, a visually impaired athlete, had been an international runner before attending a Talent Identification event with British Triathlon in 2011. Having first been unsuccessful she went away and worked hard, returning in late 2013 as a stand-out athlete. Her attitude has proved to be invaluable as she has since gone on to take two ETU European titles (Geneva 2015 and Lisbon 2016) and two ITU World titles (Edmonton 2014 and Rotterdam 2016) before taking a superb silver in Rio.
CLICK HERE FOR TRI4TOKYO INFORMATION
Alasdair Donaldson, British Triathlon Paralympic Talent and Development Manager, said: “This summer showcased the extraordinary talent we have here in Great Britain when ParalympicsGB returned home with four paratriathlon medals in tow.
“I believe we have the potential to build on our success and am now looking forward to discovering Britain’s untapped talent through the Tri4Tokyo campaign as it unfolds over the next two years”
Tri4Tokyo is looking for athletes who have the potential to have an impact on the medal table in Tokyo 2020, into the 2024 cycle and beyond. The first event of the campaign will take place in Loughborough on 4-5 February.
NOTES: Six paratriathlon categories were contested in Rio but we are now looking for athletes across ALL male and female categories, with the anticipation that all categories will be contested in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
For more details on paratriathlon classification, please visit here.
British Triathlon will continue to run Paratriathlon Talent Identification events focussed on Tokyo 2020 throughout the next two years with the aim of having the strongest team possible in the sport’s second Games. Any athlete interested in staring the journey is encouraged to do so as soon as they are able to as the route to international success will take an increasingly long time as the sport continues to develop across the world.
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Dassi and Graphene: the future?
Dassi Bikes and Graphene - The G, Black Gold - Super Material
Why Graphene could revolutionise the future of bike manufacturing
On a recent trip to Dassi Bikes HQ (www.dassi.com) we got the opportunity to talk to Stuart Abbott, the founder of Dassi and a man on a mission to change the bike world. That might sound like a bold statement, but when you look at the some of the properties of the material Graphene which he is using in the bike production, it becomes much more plausible.
The Dassi Interceptor - The World's first bike with Graphene
Graphene, "G", Black Gold - whatever you want to call it - was discovered in 2004 by two researchers at The University of Manchester, Prof Andre Geim and Prof Kostya Novoselov. The story itself is worth a read on the official website here www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk. An just to add to its significance... both Professors won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 "for groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene"
Some Graphene facts:
It is the world’s strongest material.
Harder than diamond.
Around 300 times stronger than steel.
Conducts electricity much better than copper
It's Hydrophobic.
Transparent
Bendable.
Just one gram of Graphene could cover a football pitch.
So what can you do with it when you make it into a bike frame? Well it is lighter than carbon, but as Stuart tells us that is actually just a bonus. The really exciting element is the Graphene can conduct electricity. They can build (and are currently developing) a frame that will be intelligent and feedback, in real time, what stress the frame is going through.
Stuart Abbot on the future of Dassi and Graphene
Graphene explained...
CLICK HERE FOR IMAGES FROM OUR VISIT TO DASSI
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WIN with HIGH5: Day Two...
The HIGH5 12 Days of Christmas - DAY TWO
Today's prize is Evans Cycles RIDE IT event entry...
ENTER HERE: http://highfive.co.uk/12-days-of-christmas/
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Vittoria apply Graphene technology
It's not just bike frames - Graphene in tyres and wheels too
Hopefully you'll have learned something about the almost miracle qualities of the material Graphene, if you've watched our catch-up with Dassi Bikes (honestly, it is fascinating stuff!). Well, Graphene has properties that are useful in many products, not just bike frames.
Graphene is already in use for example (and available to buy now) in tyres and wheels, and while at Dassi HQ we had a quite chat to Jon Heasman from Vittoria (www.vittoria.com) about their 'Graphene Plus' range.
Vittoria - Graphene Plus tyres and wheels
Find out more about Vittoria via www.vittoria.com and you can follow them on Twitter: @VITTORIATYRESUK.
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Race with Jan Frodeno in Sardina
Olympic Gold Medal Winner & Current Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno Announced as ‘Chia Sardinia Triathlon 70,3’ Race Ambassador
This spring, Italian Hospitality Collection invites athletes looking for a sporting event with a difference to join the ‘Chia Sardinia Triathlon 70,3’ on Sunday 23rd April 2017, alongside Olympic gold medal winner Jan Frodeno, and the sixth annual ‘Chia Laguna Half-Marathon’ on Sunday 30th April 2017.
With 3,350 competitors across the half-marathon and half-triathlon in 2016, 2017’s events are set to be bigger and better than ever before.
Sunday 23rd April will see guests swim 1.9km in Sardinia’s stunning waters, bike 90km along the island scenic southern coast and run 21km through undulating closed roads and the spectacular Chia Beach. There will be also a Sprint Distance for a less competitive race.
The Chia Sardinia Triathlon 70,3 is the second half-triathlon to take place at Chia Laguna resort, a top tourist destination in southern Sardinia, Italy. It is expected to be one of the biggest events in the Italian triathlon season, and is the first race for 2017 which Jan Frodeno has said he will participate in.
On Sunday 30th April runners will line up to run a 21,097 metre race along Sardinia’s world-famous coast on closed roads for the ‘Chia Laguna Half-Marathon’. Turquoise waters, white sand dunes, a lagoon home to pink flamingos and an ancient Nora archaeological site will act as the accompaniment to the challenging yet beautiful run.
For those who can’t go the full distance there is also a 10km competitive race as well as 21km, 10km and 5km non-competitive routes for those who want to combine sport with a relaxing weekend away.
Guests have the choice of splitting the half triathlon between friends, compete in one of the two races, or, for the ultimate challenge, athletes can take part in both the half-triathlon and half-marathon over the course of the week.
The two competitions provide a unique opportunity to participate in high-level sport while savouring Chia’s wonderful natural surroundings. All this comes hand-in-hand with Chia Laguna superb hospitality, including special hotel packages for athletes who want to take time out to relax, with friends and family there to watch their sporting exploits.
Nightly rates for Chia Laguna between 20th April and 1st May 2017 start from €129 at Hotel Village. An early booking discount of 15% applies on reservations made before 28th February 2017.
*Rates from 20th to 29th April are full board, per person, per night in a double room. Rates from 30th April are half-board, per person, per night in a double room. For further information please email travel@chialagunaresort.com - tel. +39 070 92393431 www.chialagunaresort.com
Early Bird race entry rates for the Chia Sardinia Triathlon 70,3 for bookings made before 31st December 2016 are €165 per person and €195 for bookings made before 26th February 2017. http://www.followyourpassion.it/chiasardiniatriathlon_eng.html
Early bird race entry rates for the Chia Laguna Half-Marathon are €18 for bookings made before 31st January 2017 and €27 for bookings made before 31st March 2017. To book email: info@followyourpassion.it
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/chiasardiniatriathlon/
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IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh announced
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND SELECTED HOST NEWEST IRONMAN 70.3 TRIATHLON
IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holding company, today announced the addition of the IRONMAN® 70.3® Edinburgh, Scotland triathlon. The inaugural race will take place on Sunday July 2, 2017, with registration opening on Monday, December 19, 2016.
With the addition of this new race, the IRONMAN calendar in the United Kingdom and Ireland now features eight events which include IRONMAN UK, IRONMAN Wales, IRONMAN 70.3 UK, IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire, IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin, IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth as well as VELOTHON® Wales within the IRONMAN portfolio.
“The UK has seen a perpetual growth in athlete participation and there is clear demand for more races,” said Kevin Stewart, Regional Director of Northern Europe for IRONMAN. “We are excited to be expanding to Scotland for the first time and to now be able to offer events in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales, giving thousands of athletes the opportunity to cross an IRONMAN finish line in the UK and Ireland.”
Approximately 2,000 athletes are anticipated to head to Edinburgh, the country’s capital, and the surrounding East Lothian and Midlothian countryside for this inaugural race. Dating back thousands of years and home to the many iconic historic sites including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh is known to be one of the world’s most beautiful and compelling cities.
The area is rich in history, combining a cosmopolitan capital city with verdant countryside. It offers an attractive coastline which provides a fantastic setting and destination for thousands of athletes, their friends and families. Located on the easily accessible South East coast of Scotland, Edinburgh is served directly by multiple airlines from over 100 destinations, as well as fast and direct train lines from London and cities across the UK and Scotland.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland triathlon will start at the historic Gosford House and feature a 1.2-mile (1.9km) sea swim from Gosford Sands on the Firth of Forth. Upon exiting the swim, athletes will then embark on a 56-mile (90.1km), one-loop bike ride on closed roads through the rolling countryside of East Lothian, Midlothian, and through the outskirts of the city centre of Edinburgh and Dalkeith country park. The athletes will then arrive in the transition area at the spectacular setting of Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano, in Holyrood Park. The athletes will head off on a beautiful multi lap 13.1-mile (21.2km) run within Holyrood Park before crossing the finish line.
“As IRONMAN continues to grow in stature, attracting the attention of serious athletes and media worldwide, we are delighted to be supporting their first visit north of the border through EventScotland’s International Programme,” said Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events. “Taking place amidst some of the scenic natural landscape Scotland has to offer, we expect the Edinburgh stage to be one of the best supported on the IRONMAN 70.3 calendar, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of competitors and spectators in summer next year.”
“IRONMAN has to be one of the toughest races on the planet and the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland triathlon will be one of the most challenging, with its demanding finish around Arthur’s Seat,” said Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Events Champion. “It is great news for sport in the Capital to play host to this inaugural Scottish event. The athletes will be able to take in some fantastic views as they swim in the Firth of Forth, cycle through the Lothians and sprint to the finishing line in Edinburgh’s spectacular Holyrood Park.”
“It’s fantastic news that the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon is coming to East Lothian for the first time. Our amazing natural environment will certainly provide a challenge for the contestants and a great backdrop for the thousands of spectators we’re expecting,” said Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism. “We hope many of them will choose to stay here and explore a bit more of East Lothian and sample our world-famous hospitality and food and drink. It’ll be a welcome refuel I’m sure after such a tough event!”
“Having lived and trained in Scotland throughout my career and having to always travel afar to compete in IRONMAN events, I was absolutely delighted to hear that IRONMAN 70.3 is coming to Edinburgh, a city that I am extremely fond of, where I studied at University and have spent so much time through life,” said Scotland’s multiple IRONMAN winner Fraser Cartmell, from Stirling. “I know all fellow Scottish triathletes will be equally thrilled at the prospect of a home IRONMAN 70.3 event. - It is not only extremely exciting for the expansion of our sport but it obviously provides the perfect platform to showcase our fantastic scenery. I cannot wait to stand on the start line!"
General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland will open at 8 a.m. ET/2 p.m. CET on Monday, December 19, 2016. IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland will offer a $25,000 USD professional prize purse and 35 age-group qualifying slots to the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place on September 9 and 10 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
More information about IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland can be found at www.ironman.com/edinburgh70.3. Athlete inquiries may be directed to edinburgh70.3@ironman.com.
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Buy the bike of Javier Gomez
2015 season Specialized S-Works Venge of Javier Gomez now on eBay
You can buy and own the bike that Javier Gomez won his fifth ITU World Championship title on
Presented to Club Triatlón Ferrol in Spain (www.triatlonferrol.net) to raise money for their young triathletes, you can now own the customised bike that Javier Gomez used during the 2015 season in which he won a third consecutive ITU World Championship title - and a record breaking fifth in total.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EBAY LINK
At the time of writing, bidding stands at EUR 4,250 - with the auction set to close on 22nd December.
The bike is a 54cm Specialized S-Works Venge, featuring custom-painted world championship colours.
The groupset is 22-speed SRAM Red (mechanical), with a Specialized S-Works carbon crankset.
A Gomez fan? This could be the ultimate piece of memorabilia...
In action at WTS Auckland 2015
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WIN with HIGH5: Day Three...
The HIGH5 12 Days of Christmas - DAY THREE
Today's prize is entry to a #HIGH5fuelled IRONMAN event...
ENTER HERE: http://highfive.co.uk/12-days-of-christmas/
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Triathlon Australia targets 2020
Triathlon Australia announce new coaching re-structure
As a primarily UK-based triathlon resource, the detailed set up of a high performance National Governing Body coaching structure on the other side of the world isn't necessarily a regular topic of discussion and comment on these pages - but when this press release arrived from Triathlon Australia today, in this Editor's opinion, it is worthy of note.
Just a month into his new role - after the resignation of previous Performance Director, Bernard Savage - newly appointed Ben Gathercole has announced some significant changes to the performance landscape in Australian triathlon.
Exciting announcement for us by @TriAustralia https://t.co/omDSRd254i #ipcw pic.twitter.com/23HP4y3mwo
— Wollongong Wizards (@gongwizards) December 15, 2016
To some degree, expectations in Australia are high (possibly unrealistically?), as a result of their historic success in the sport.
Taking the women first, from 1992 through to 2010, Australia won the ITU World Championship title 13 times in 19 years through the likes of Michellie Jones, Jackie Gallagher, Loretta Harrop, Nicole Hackett, Emma Carney, Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffatt - while Rio was the first time that the Australian women didn't win at least one medal at the Olympic Games. Emma Snowsill was Olympic Champion in 2008 - and many would strongly suggest that Michellie Jones should be the rightful owner of the Gold medal from Sydney too.
The depth and historic success of Australian men's triathlon casts a shadow on the current squad too, courtesy of legends like Greg Welch, Miles Stewart, Brad Bevan, Chris McCormack, Peter Robertson and Brad Kahlefeldt. However, the last six year-end podiums in the World Triathlon Series have been totally dominated by European athletes (Brownlee, Brownlee, Gomez and Mola mostly...), while 2010 was also the last World Championship podium finish by their Australian women too.
Their solution? Employ the services (and perhaps mostly importantly, squad environment) of the coach of the current women's Olympic Champion and appoint as a special advisor one of the most successful coaches in the history of the World Triathlon Series (and coach to the London 2012 Silver medallist), amongst other changes.
Both Jamie Turner ("Wollongong Wizards") and Darren Smith ("D-Squad") have a proven history of delivering success from their international, independent squad structures. Triathlon Australia look like they want to tap into that success - this time, in favour of the green and gold rather than stars and stripes.
With Darren Smith taking a sabbatical from his 10 years of day-to-day D-Squad coaching, tapping into his knowledge and experience on a consultancy basis is surely a very smart move.
Below is the full press release from Triathlon Austrlalia.
Triathlon Australia’s sweeping changes in High Performance re-structure
Triathlon Australia has today unveiled an exiting, ground-breaking re-structure of its High Performance program, aimed at maximising its coaching and athlete talent in the build-up to 2020 and beyond.
Just one month into his new role, newly appointed Performance Director Ben Gathercole, has wasted no time implementing the appointments of Jamie Tuner, Dan Atkins, Chris Lang and Darren Smith to capitalise on what he says is an exciting new era for the sport.
The man who coached Simon Thompson to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games has based his changes on a simple philosophy: “Having the best coaches possible, coaching Australia’s best athletes in world class daily training environments.”
Triathlon Australia CEO Miles Stewart, says he is both delighted and excited with the progress and appointments made, which is a major part of TA’s strategic HP pathway plans.
“We have made it quite clear that we will strive to enhance coach development pathways which integrates with the whole of life pathway through the sport alongside an exclusive high performance pathway for athletes as we continue to strive for the world’s best daily performance environments,” Stewart said.
“These appointments are the first steps towards setting up these pathways as we look towards 2018, 2020 and beyond.”
Triathlon Australia will now have:
An International Performance Centre, Wollongong (IPCW): Under the direction of highly respected New Zealand-born Australian coach Jaime Turner, regarded as the world’s finest triathlon coach.
Turner coached American Gwen Jorgensen to this year’s Olympic gold in Rio and put both Aaron Royle and Ryan Bailie onto their first Australian Olympic team.
Turner will be at the helm of Triathlon Australia’s flagship program in Wollongong and Vitoria, Spain where he will continue to build on the exceptional performances of his Rio and World Triathlon Series campaigns.
His highly regarded international program has seen much success over the last few years consisting of eight Australian and four international athletes and that philosophy will continue with the valued support of the AIS and the NSW Institute of Sport, Jaime will be based in Wollongong which has been a successful base in Australia.
The first National Performance Centre in Brisbane (NPCB) with highly respected coach Chris Lang appointed to head up the new role that incorporates the previous QAS program.
Lang will be joining TA from his successful Sheldon College program in South East Queensland after a seven-year post as Triathlon Australia’s High Performance coach on the Gold Coast between 2004 and 2011 and a 12-month stint in WA as National Talent Coach.
His main focus will be on U23 athletes at the ITU level but will also incorporate Paratriathletes into his program and will be based in and around the Brisbane area, still with the unflagging support of the QAS, helping to develop our U23 athletes to world class levels with the ability to feed into our IPC program.
Lang’s previous role as head coach at Triathlon Australia’s first schools triathlon program at Sheldon College will be advertised in the new year with the view of the best candidate starting in February 2017.
And following the success of Australia’s ground-breaking Paratriathlete Program Triathlon Australia is again forging world’s best practice with an exciting new integrated National Paratriathlon and Elite U23 Development Program to be led by the previous National Training Centre head coach Dan Atkins, on the Gold Coast.
It will bring Australia’s leading paratriathletes and U23 athletes together in the one training environment providing great support and challenge amongst the group, for all athletes to learn and push each other beyond their limits.
Atkins will become Head Coach of the National Paratriathlon program while also developing Australia’s Elite U23 athletes in the one daily training environment.
And in another major bonus for the HP program is the appointment of another highly respected Australian international coach in Darren Smith as Triathlon Australia’s HP Special Advisor.
Triathlon Australia Special Adviser role: Darren Smith has agreed to provide his time for some short periods while he takes a sabbatical year from his day-to-day coaching regime.
Darren will be available to mentor and help TA’s coaches and also provide some long term planning and advice to the HP program.
Gathercole said: “To have Jaime Turner as our lead coach and in charge of our flagship program is a great position for Triathlon Australia to be in.
“In partnership with the AIS and support from NSWIS, we have been able to secure Jaime's coaching services through to Tokyo 2020 which provides our athletes with stability and the knowledge we have the worlds best coach.
“And in a move clearly aimed at developing our coaching stocks, in partnership with the QAS, we are proud to have Chris Lang as our new coach for the NPC Brisbane.
“Chris has been building towards a senior coaching job after first starting as an assistant coach to former National Head Coach Bill Davoren in the early 2000s and has had numerous roles building to this appointment. It is great to see we have a pathway for young coaches who have the ability to build a career from coaching.
“And in one of the most exciting announcements we are incorporating our elite Paratri program with our elite able body program - one of the few fully integrated National programs in world triathlon.
“We have named Dan Atkins in this role and he is excited about the opportunity to combine both programs and create a daily training environment second to none.
“With Atkins leadership in this space we believe we can build on our Gold medal performance from Rio and continue to provide the very best for all of our athletes in this HP integrated program.
“This is an exciting step into the future for our sport, with an exceptional coach bringing two training environments together as one.
“We believe it will encourage an even higher level of training and racing than an individual program provides. This program will be based on the Gold Coast with the hub of training occurring out of Bond University.
“While Darren Smith is an incredibly gifted coach who has an eye for detail that very few have. It's very exciting to have him available to work with our group.”
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WIN with HIGH5: Day Four...
The HIGH5 12 Days of Christmas - DAY FOUR
Today's prize is entry to the Brighton Marathon or BM10k...
ENTER HERE: http://highfive.co.uk/12-days-of-christmas/
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2020 Grand Final returns to Edmonton
ITU announces 2020 Grand Final venue
The ITU have announced Edmonton, Canada, as the venue for the 2020 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final - meaning that we now have the next four years planned, adding to previous announcements.
2017 - Rotterdam
2018 - Gold Coast
2019 - Lausanne
2020 - Edmonton
While it also bid for the event, news from Bermuda indicates that the home of reigning ITU, XTERRA and ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, Flora Duffy, will also host series events in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
International Triathlon Union awards 2020 Grand Final to Edmonton
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today named Edmonton as the host city for the ITU World Championships Grand Final in 2020.
“Edmonton has been a staple city on the ITU calendar for many years,” ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado said. “The city provides unprecedented support to the event, while the local organising committee offers an exceptional experience for both elite and age grouper athletes. It will be a fantastic place to end the 2020 season after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The event will mark the third time Canada has hosted the World Championships with Edmonton having organised the race in 2001 and 2014. Edmonton was also the site of nine ITU World Cup events, and has hosted a stop on the World Triathlon Series every year since organising the Grand Final two years ago.
“Building on the success of the 2014 Grand Final, I am confident Edmonton will bring the same expertise and excitement to the 2020 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We look forward to continuing the growth of Edmonton as Canada’s triathlon city, and our organizers, volunteers and fans are ready to welcome participants, their families and spectators to our city.”
Last year, Edmonton welcomed paratriathletes for a World Paratriathlon Event, which they will do again in 2017 as host of a stop on the World Paratriathlon Series. In December of 2017, Edmonton will also welcome the final ITU Executive Board meeting of the year alongside the fourth edition of the ITU Science and Triathlon Conference.
“Hosting major events is critical to the growth and future success of our sport in every corner of this country. The Grand Final is the premiere ITU triathlon event, so this is a huge victory for Canada, and an exciting day for our sport,” said Triathlon Canada President Les Pereira. “Edmonton has a rich history in staging world-leading triathlon events, and as a result, has ignited the Olympic and Paralympic dream for many of our elite Canadian athletes who have watched the world’s best compete at Hawrelak Park in past years.
“This is a true recognition of the great teamwork that has been developed between our organization and the various branches of the City of Edmonton,” said Don Lowry, the Edmonton World Triathlon Board Chair. “It was very positive having Lindsay Harrison of Edmonton Events as part of our presentation team, and ITU clearly recognized the key role that the City has played through our staging of 15 annual international events, including two decision-making finals.”
The ITU Triathlon World Championships were first held in Avignon, France in 1989. In 2009, the championships were revamped, expanding the former single-day World Championship race into an exciting multi-city global series, culminating with the ITU Triathlon World Championship Grand Final. Athletes earn points throughout the season and those who win the overall series are crowned the ITU Triathlon World Champions.
The 2017 ITU World Championships will be held at the Grand Final in Rotterdam, followed by Gold Coast in 2018 and Lausanne in 2019.
Official dates for the 2020 World Championships will be confirmed and announced as soon as possible.
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Long Course Weekend Mallorca announced
Alcudia, Mallorca to host Long Course Weekend from 2017
After successfully developing the format of the event in Tenby, Wales, for the past six years, it would appear that 2017 really is the year for international expansion of the Long Course Weekend concept.
While Jervis Bay, Australia (announced for October 2017 earlier this month), is likely a distance to far for the majority of UK and European Tri247 readers, the addition of Long Course Weekend Mallorca - in Alcudia - in November 2017 is likely be of a lot more interest.
An interesting aside is that Alcudia is also the venue of the recently discontinued Ironman Mallorca (and the hugely popular Ironman 70.3 Mallorca held in May). With travel and accomodation from the UK both plentiful and relatively inexpensive, the prospect of some late-season sun alongside training and competition could well prove a popular combination. Certainly, the feedback we regularly receive about the LCW concept from Tenby participants is hugely positive.
Here is the full announcement from the organisers
Long Course Weekend launch in Mallorca
Only two weeks after announcing the Launch of Long Course Weekend in Jervis Bay, Australia; The Long Course Weekend announces it will now have another European event in Alcudia, Mallorca (November, 3rd, 4th, and 5th) .
The Long Course Weekend originated in Wales and in only six years is now four times the size of the Ironman event held in the Principality.
The Long Course Weekend is a three-day sporting festival where athletes Swim on Friday, Cycle on Saturday and Run on Sunday. There is a multitude of distances and a special 4th medal for those that enter the Full Long Course Weekend and do the Long distance every day.
Matthew Evans of Long Course Weekend says “We are delighted to have been able to come here to Mallorca and secure this slot in the race Calendar. Long Course Weekend is very much an experience and allows a range of people to get involved in the weekend. We will be working very closely with the local community to ensure the Mallorca Experience is unparalleled.
Our race partner in Mallorca is Kumulus whom have delivered world class events for many years now on the island including The Palma Marathon.
David Thompson of Kumulus says “We are delighted to be bringing this race to Mallorca next November. The concept is so inclusive and we think we certainly have a game changer on our hands here in Alcudia. The stage is magnificent, the accommodation and travel is great value in November and many athletes from all over the world will be coming here for some winter sun.
Entries are scheduled to open in early January and are expected to fill very quickly. To register your interest or for more information you can visit www.lcwmallorca.com.
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WIN with HIGH5: Day Five...
The HIGH5 12 Days of Christmas - DAY FIVE
Today's prize is a Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka bundle...
ENTER HERE: http://highfive.co.uk/12-days-of-christmas/
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