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Seeking sponsorship? Some advice.

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Are you seeking sponsorship to progress your triathlon training and racing ambitions? Perhaps you have tried but have had limited success to date? Here is some help for you. In this article, Simon Ward, a man often on the end of sponsorship requests through his CompuTrainer distribution business, gives some advice from his experiences of the the many requests he receives from athletes of all standards. If you want sponsorship, you'll have to work for it! If you want sponsorship you'll have to work hard to get it... As the UK distributor of CompuTrainer, we get a lot of unsolicited requests for sponsorship from Elite professional athletes already getting onto the podium, newbie pro triathletes hoping to make a living, wannabe pro triathletes moving up from age group, Elite age groupers and average age groupers raising money for charity. I'd love to be able to sponsor everyone but it's just not possible. The majority of companies trading in the triathlon market are small operations and they don't have bags full of cash and warehouses full of surplus stock to hand out. These are challenging economic times and we are all having to work twice as hard just to stand still. So, if you feel that you are among that list above and are seeking sponsorship or about to start your search please can I give you a little advice which might help your case... Research It will definitely help if you do some research about the company you wish to be sponsored by. For example, find out about the owners of the company if you can. How long have they been in business and are they growing or plateauing in their market. Do they sponsor any athletes currently? What products do they manufacture or distribute? Which of their products will best suit your needs and why? USP In business, companies are encouraged to have a Unique Sales Proposition. This is what makes them different from their competitors. For example Domino's Pizza uses the following USP “You get fresh, hot pizza delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less or it's free”, while Fed Ex uses “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight”. So if you want me to sponsor you, then you need to have a pretty good USP to stand out from the rest of the triathletes wanting sponsorship. How can you help me? Too many athletes spend all of their email/CV telling how good they are and why they should get sponsorship. Believe me, unless you are a World Champion already I'm not going to read very far and its going in the bin. How about starting with some ideas on what you can do to promote your sponsors product? Be innovative and creative Following on from the above your request will also end up in the bin if you think that a place on your website and a small logo somewhere on your kit is good promotion for your sponsor. To be frank, this is about the minimum that we would require. However if you were to suggest that as part of being a pro triathlete you have developed a good following among your local triathletes and that 3/4 times per year you would arrange a workshop to explain how you became a successful triathlete and at the same time showcased our product... and then after the workshop you provided details of how your audience could get their hands on the said item, then that might just get my attention. Work Sponsorship is not a one way street. In fact you should think of it as a small salary. And if you were getting paid a salary the person paying you would be your employer. In return for their money you would be expected to undertake duties commensurate with your salary. This is true whether you get kit to the value of £xxx or you are lucky enough to get ££££. Please do not screw your nose up when asked to attend an exhibition to appear on your sponsors booth or to sign autographs or drag your heels if asked to write a blog or do an interview for the sponsor site. This is your job and they are entitled to some of your time. (Good sponsors will make sure that this doesn't impinge upon your training and racing because after all this is what gets them exposure). Communicate Keep in touch with your sponsors on a regular basis, even if you are injured. A little email every month to your sponsors (this could be one paragraph mailed to everyone at the same time), telling them what you have been up to would be most welcome. Photo's of you at races (especially if they show you using their product), and updates of results are also good as are blog posts on your site. If you Twitter or Facebook about your sponsors then make sure that they are following you so that they can see your posts. Be an ambassador The athletes that I am most proud to sponsor are not necessarily the World Champions although that helps. They are the athletes who have a great name within the sport and who always conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism; they turn up on time, they focus on the job and they understand the importance of their sponsors to their career. Remember that you need us just as much as we need you. All sponsors have to be very careful with the resources these days. I would much rather sponsor an age grouper who had some brilliant ideas on how to help promote my product than sponsor a pro athlete who thinks they deserve sponsorship because they won some race or other. If you are seeking sponsorship this year for whatever reason, think very hard before you put pen to paper. If you can come up with an outstanding (maybe even OUTRAGEOUS) proposition then you might find that you are the one who gets chosen. Simon Ward is the joint head Coach of TheTriathlonCoach.com. He is also the UK distributor for CompuTrainer - “The worlds best indoor bike trainer” He was 220 magazine coach of the year in 2009 and 2012

The Bath University Triathlon Charity Challenge...

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An epic challenge faces the Bath University Triathlon Team as they prepare to complete 18 iron-distance triathlons in 18 hours. The team’s bid will take place on Wednesday March 13th on the University campus in the 50m swimming pool, around the roads of the University and on turbo trainers outside the University library. The 40-strong triathlon team have each set themselves personal challenges all surpassing distances they’ve previously swum, biked and run. Some are taking on an Olympic distance triathlon for the first time whilst others will try to complete a half iron. A few brave souls set their sights even higher with full iron-distance attempts! Each of the athletes will have to push hard to achieve their goals and ensure the successful completion of the team's challenge. The team is aiming to raise £3000 for the Zoe Sarojini Education Trust, which gives young children living in poverty in South Africa the chance for a brighter future through education. It supports individual children and parent-less, child-headed families in Cape Town and the village of Ingwauvma. The fund also helps to support the Ekukhanyeni Orphanage, home to a number of the trusts children and Khethani Christian School. In 2012 the fund was able to pay for the uniform and stationery for all its kids, a laptop which has given a young boy with cerebral palsy the chance to complete his exams, sports equipment, warm light havens for revision, extra maths tuition, a photocopier for the teaching staff, a Christmas meal and presents for the Ekukhanyeni kids and other benefits. To find out more visit www.zoetrust.org or like the Trust’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/zoetrust to keep up to date. Please help to change children's lives by sponsoring the Bath University team at http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/bathunitriteam The club would like to thank the Bath University Student Union and RAG for their help and support for this event.

Lucy Gossage talks 2013...

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I'm not sure if there was an MTV-like 'best breakthrough act' for 2012 in the UK triathlon scene, but if there was, Lucy Gossage (www.lucygossage.com) probably won it. Or should have.. British Elite Duathlon Champion, European Long Distance Triathlon Champion and silver at the ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Champs just a few 2012 highlights... arguably finished off by perhaps the best performance of all, joining the sub-nine club with when winning Challenge Barcelona, her 8:58:43 winning time that day making her only the sixth British woman to break the nine hour barrier for the 2.4m / 112m / 26.2m distance. In preparation for the 2013 season Lucy strolled the 100m from where she lives to take part in the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday. The weather (watch our extended race video highlights HERE for evidence!) was cold, very cold, but despite not feeling "that bouncy", Lucy still took a few seconds off her PB in finishing third in her (very) local race. Shortly afterwards I grabbed a few words with Lucy about her plans for the year - and indeed 2014, as Kona is the longer term plan - including the added expectations which will follow after such a great season last year. "If I'm honest... I absolutley hate it" she admits about those pressures. 70.3's in Mallorca, Austria and Wimbleball are currently on the outline schedule. Lucy Gossage, Cambridge Half - Sunday 10th March 2013 Lucy at Challenge Barcelona 2012

Ironman Los Cabos preview

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The debut Ironman Los Cabos (Mexico), located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula is the sole full distance race of the coming weekend, falling a week before the 'big one'; the Asia-Pacific Championships in Melbourne. The new event does come with a P-2000 status $75,000 prize purse, so the winners will take home a $15,000 first prize with money running eight deep for the Pro's. Melbourne is clearly the marquee Ironman event of the early Ironman season, but that hasn't prevented a solid pro field heading to Mexico - including some British interest... Ladies Preview The UK's Yvette Grice is making an early start to her 2013 campaign - and might find the Mexico sun a little different to the UK climate of recent weeks... Race favourite in our eyes is Denmark's Michelle Vesterby. An Ironman winner (Lanzarote 2012) and has experience in Mexico, having taken fourth at Cozumel in November last year. Vesterby will arrive in great form and with confidence high after taking third place in Abu Dhabi. If she has recovered well, she will be tough to beat. Ashly Clifford (USA) may not be a familiar name - but she took third (with a sub-three hour marathon) at Ironman Florida last year - despite being 15th off the bike. Will she be able to repeat that sort of level this week? Perhaps Kathleen Calkins (just one place behind Vesterby at Cozumel), will be the first US athlete though? The most experienced name on the start list is Erica Csomor (HUN), an athlete with an iron-distance PB of 8:47:05 and a total of three sub-nine finishes. Second in Austria,winner in Switzerland in 2012, Erica will surely be in the mix as always. Another European looking to make a mark is Belgium's Sofie Goos. Ironman Brasil winner last year and fifth in Frankfurt, Goos will be seeking a podium finish. Mens Preview British interest is with the British Ironman record holder Paul Amey (who we interviewed HERE). Since that great 8:01:29 in Arizona (2011) and tough battle with Eneko Llanos, Paul hasn't really approached those dizzy heights again - though he did use a very swift 2:52 marathon to take second place to the super impressive Frederik Van Lierde at Ironman France last summer. Fingers crossed he has something similar in the tank this weekend. After some early season illness issues in 2012, he'll want to continue 2013 -after eight in Abu Dhabi - in positive style. Despite Ironman Melbourne a week later, Los Cabos has attracted the quality of Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI), Timo Bracht (GER) and Luke McKenzie (AUS) - just three of a number of potential winners. Schildknecht is a member of the sub-eight club, setting the first 7:XX Ironman in North America at Ironman Florida in 2011, to add to his dominance of Ironman Switzerland which he has won for the past six editions. Timo Bracht is a class act, a regular top-10 finisher in Kona and a regular winner on the Ironman circuit. Like Schildknecht, his (slight) achilles heel is a weak(er) swim, which could see the pair working together early in the bike to chase the early pacesetters in the water. The pair have huge power on the bike, so I don't believe that will cause them major issues here. Another athlete with real bike power is Maik Twelsiek (GER), and he will need to use that one again to try and gain a lead heading in to T2 - as he will surely lose significant time over the marathon to the swift feet of Schildknecht and Bracht. Other too watch for include Axel Zeebroek (BEL), Jozsef Major (HUN), Brett Carter (AUS) and Italy's Daniel Fontana - a silver medallist at the 2009 70.3 World Champs.

'Rising From Ashes' - the premiere

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How do you combine cycling, a night out and helping a great charitable cause - all at the same time? How about atteding the official European premiere of an award winning film in Leicester Square? "Both heart wrenching and uplifting" is the description Chrissie Wellington tells us about 'Rising From Ashes', and would like you to help spread the word and encourage you and your friends to attend this event. Read on for more. The evening will include a champagne reception, a full screening of the film followed by a Q&A with the film maker and key figures from Team Rwanda. Tickets are on sale to the premiere of the film 'Rising From Ashes". It's being held at 19.00 on 9th May at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London. CLICK BOOK HERE Rising From Ashes is a documentary narrated by Forrest Whitaker about Team Rwanda: an American cycling legend, Jock Boyer, moves to Rwanda to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursue their dream of a national team. As they set out against impossible odds both Jock and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of their past. https://risingfromashesthemovie.com The film is both heart wrenching and uplifting. You'll come away believing in the power of sport to truly make a difference.  I know tickets are not cheap, but we wanted to secure a great venue and all profits go to Team Rwanda and the Aegis Trust.  This is a cause that is close to my heart, and one that I have become actively involved in. I really do hope you can come, bring as many as your friends as possible and help promote the event and the cause by sharing/forwarding/singing from the rooftops! Rising From Ashes - Trailer

Tri Training Harder: the coaches

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Meet Edward Brett and Philip Hatzis, the head coaches of the small but rapidly growing Tri Training Harder (www.tritrainingharder.com) multi-sport coaching company. Tri Training Harder - Meet the Coaches In 2010 two young men invited friends to join them on a self-run training holiday in the sunny Algarve, Portugal. Today, Edward Brett and Philip Hatzis have turned their University passion into Britain's fastest growing triathlon business. Tri Training Harder (www.tritrainingharder.com) is a multi-sport coaching company specialising in triathlon, which runs luxury training holidays in Portugal during six months of the year (Winter to early Summer). "We pride ourselves on the quality coaching each athlete receives while staying with Tri Training Harder", Philip explained. "Whether we are working with high performance elite level athletes, or helping a beginner complete their first sprint (hopefully with a massive smile on their face), we will be working to offer the highest possible quality of coaching which caters to each person's individual needs." As the head coaches of a small but ever growing Tri Training Harder team, Ed and Philip juggle running the business, coaching clients, their own coached individual athletes and their racing team while still finding time to keep themselves in shape. So who they, and how did they find themselves swimming, cycling and running around the coast with hordes of clients? The simple answer is that they are triathletes who can't get enough of their sport. Philip launched himself on the triathlon world while still at school. "I started running at school, doing cross country, rugby and athletics. I was looking at going to long distance with my running and my school coach asked me if I wanted to take part in an Ironman event, to which I replied 'Yes sure, what is it?' and since then I have not looked back." Among other sporting achievements, Philip has completed seven Ironman races and competed at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. He has also competed twice in the 70.3 Ironman World Championships in Las Vegas and represented Great Britain in the Long Course World Championships. Edward discovered Triathlon in his second year of University, coming to it from a background of competitive rowing. "I was a fat little kid until the age of thirteen", Ed remembers, "when one of my good friends made me go down to our local rowing club. I thought we would be going out in a trout fishing boat! I only turned to triathlon because I missed a crucial seat race for our University first boat due to a minor, rather embarrassing, injury. I was running to a lecture in the snow and smashed my face and my knee into a University sign, denting both the sign and my face, and rupturing a bursa in my knee. I could not bend my leg for four weeks and so lost my place in the first boat. It was at that point that I joined the University Triathlon club for rides." Ed has competed on the world stage in Olympic distance triathlon but Philip soon roped him into long distance triathlon, and in 2010 Ed competed in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. It was Philip's advice and coaching that helped Ed achieve this feat at his first Ironman event. "Philip gave me advice and we trained together. He had completed a couple of Ironman events by this time and was more knowledgeable than me." It was the desire to get as much training in as possible that first led Philip to take a friend to Portugal for some winter training. "It just so happened that we were away while the first 'Big Freeze' hit the UK. As we left we had to scrape snow of the windscreen of the car and people were cross country skiing to work. We arrived in Portugal and spent most of the week in short sleeves. "It was this self-run holiday camp which planted the seed of the idea that grew into Tri Training Harder. Philip revealed that, "as with all great ideas, Tri Training Harder came to life in a pub, probably over a beer or two. We started to think that it would be really good fun to do another training camp out in Portugal but we shelved that idea until a few months later when Edward joined the team. He helped to build the idea into a business. "After writing the first business plan we had to rip it up and start again because we had no idea what we were doing. We wrote three more business plans and in the end decided to keep it as a white board of ideas rather than continuing to write official documents. The online shop took off as an idea, coaching seemed like a natural progression to our training camp, and now we have just launched our 2013 Race Team which we hope is a culmination of all those aspects and things that we do together in a high performance yet highly sociable and enjoyable environment." The challenge of starting a business and growing it whilst still at University was one that was irresistible to Edward and Philip. Edward, who was studying a four year physics and Master's degree, sacrificed training in his final year, while Philip decided to end his commitment to the British Army and decline his place at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. "There is a lot of sacrifice involved. You can't just sit a Master's degree, run a business at the same time and get the best out of both of them. I am a perfectionist so it was hard, I was endlessly working, and training had to fall by the wayside. It was all about balancing and working out the appropriate time and effort that should go into everything so that we could go into Tri Training Harder full time after University, Ed explains. It involved long sessions around student house kitchen tables trying to block out hordes of house mates storming in and out." Now Tri Training Harder has headquarters in Oxford and a base in Portugal, and both Ed and Philip are excited about the future. When asked about his hopes for the coming year Philip replied: "this year we hope to see ourselves being catapulted in amongst some of the best known coaching companies out there. We want to raise our profile but remain dedicated to our high standards." Ed added; "I hope that we will be recognised as the next wave of coaching methodology and inspiration within sport. People will look to us, recognise that we know what we are talking about, and talk to us when they have questions about triathlon. We are at the cutting edge of coaching and our camps are a way of us facilitating our thoughts, feelings and ideas about coaching so we can really personalise our business, knowledge and research. We want to change the focus of the industry – we want to personalise coaching and make our method of our coaching the epicentre of our teaching." Watch this space.

Ironman offer Luxury Training Holiday

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Ironman have teamed up with 5 star Thanos hotels to offer the ultimate triathlon training holiday for fitness fanatics and their families. So as temperatures drop below zero yet again and with only a few places remaining, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity for some serious warm weather training set in the luxury of two of Europe’s best hotels. This week-long, split-stay programme from 2-9 April at the 5 star Almyra and Anassa is led by Pro triathlete Kypros Nicolaou and expert Nutritionist Stella Kakouri combined with the benefits of outstanding comfort, cuisine and award winning spa treatments to soothe aching bodies. It is very much a mix of serious training with serious luxury! For those with families, the hotels also offer outstanding UK creche and kids clubs, as much or as little as required, so the whole family can enjoy a week of activities. Whether you're committed to an Ironman, or looking to get into shape for the summer, this truly is the perfect training holiday. And if you’re looking for a further incentive to get fit, pre register for any Ironman event in 2014 and you could be in with a chance to win a place on this luxurious training holiday. Full details on the training holiday can be found here together with the itinerary. Prices start at Euro 1,200 per person including full training, nutritionist, bikes, full board and recovery meals. For further information or to make a reservation please call + 35 726 885070 or email. To pre register for Ironman 2014, please visit www.ironmanuk.com

Sam Gardner: XTERRA Saipan report

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For several years now Sam Gardner (www.samgardner.com) has been the figurehead of elite off-road triathlon racing in the UK. As a new dad last year, perhaps we should refer to him as the father figure...?! Supposedly (though we thought that last year?!), in his final 'elite' season, Sam is in the middle of the annual early season Pacific Tour, which includes XTERRA races in The Philippines, Saipan and Guam, along with next weekend's Tagaman road triathlon - in 2011 he won them all. Third last weekend in the Philippines, it was fourth place this week in Saipan, a race he has previously won three times. Here is his report. XTERRA Saipan - Saturday 9th March 2013 The second race of the Pacific Xterra series (read Sam's report from the Philippines last week, HERE), went similar to the first. I'd been hoping to be closer to contesting the win, but due to my poor jet-lagged little baby Abi (who arrived from the UK the night before), who kept me up the night before the race wanting to play, I had very little sleep and felt pretty sluggish for most of the race. The swim was a battle against a really strong current and although I came out in a similar position to usual, I lost four minutes on the leaders. I'd warmed up lots on the bike before the race, and was planning to try to make up time quickly but I never really got in the zone. Half way round the lap, I was still in fifth place. I'd over cooked a couple of corners trying too hard to make up time and ended up with silly crashes. Eventually on the main 20 minute climb, I managed to get into third place, past South Africa's Bradley Weiss. I knew I needed a gap though, as Bradley nearly caught me on the run last week in the Philippines. My luck only got worse when I went to tighten my shoe which felt like it had worked loose and the strap snapped off at the stitching, meaning I couldn't pedal properly from then onwards. A minor course detour as I missed an arrow left me back in fourth place again, with only 7km to go on the bike! I did make the most of the torrential weather, which was making the course very slippery and British, and heading into transition I had about a minute lead over Brad, but was seven minutes behind Ben Allen and Dan Hugo. I ran loads better than the Philippines and nearly kept third place, but heading back to the final 2km along the beach I heard Brad's footsteps behind me and knew that my chances of being on the podium were slim. I was disappointed not to defend my title which I'd won three times 2009, 2010 and 2011 (I missed last year when Abi was born), but Ben was the strongest athlete on the day by a mile. His girlfriend Jacqui Slack from the UK, won the women's race in commanding style. Pos Male Female 1 Ben Allen (AUS) 2:36:36 Jacqui Slack (GBR) 3:06:00 2 Dan Hugo (RSA) 2:44:18 Carina Wasle (AUT) 3:13:30 3 Bradley Weiss (RSA) 2:50:54 Renata Bucher (SUI) 3:16:49 4 Sam Gardner (GBR) 2:52:04 Mieko Carey (JPN) 3:22:01 The next race is the Tagaman road triathlon this weekend, and I am in need of plenty of sleep and rest beforehand. I've tried to train for the last two days but keep feeling as if the two races so far have taken lots out of me, along with several bad nights sleep. So it's time to listen to my body and relax, which is nice.

The Wales Sportive 2013

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I recently took a trip down to South Wales to meet Matthew Evans and Scott Powell of Activity Wales Events (www.activitywalesevents.com), to find out more about their marquee event, The Long Course Weekend (www.longcourseweekend.com). The Long Course weekend is an 'iron-distance event over three days', taking place from 12th-14th July 2013 - and you can find out more about that in my chat with Matthew and Scott HERE. The weekend though offers something for everyone, with different distance options on each day, with events appealing to swimmer, cylists, runners, duathletes, triathletes and more - take your pick from taking part on one, two or all three days - as well as enjoying the music festival, fashion shows, parties and more! The second event of the weekend is The Wales Sportive (www.thewalessportive.com), which is day two of the Long Course Weekend, Saturday 13th July 2013. In this piece I talk to Matthew and Scott in more depth about the sportive, the distances on offer and the new improvements for 2013. I also chat to local Tenby athlete and multiple Long Course Weekend winner Oliver Simon to get some local knowledge on the course and plenty of advice on how best to ride this challenging course. The Wales Sportive - Saturday 13th July 2013 Preview videos of the Long Course Weekend events: 12th-14th July: The Long Course Weekend (www.longcourseweekend.com) - WATCH VIDEO Friday 12th July: The Wales Swim (www.thewalesswim.com) - WATCH VIDEO Saturday 13th July: The Wales Sportive (www.thewalessportive.com) - WATCH VIDEO Sunday 14th July: The Wales Marathon (www.thewalesmarathon.com) - WATCH VIDEO

Jacqui Slack, Ben Allen to race XTERRA England

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XTERRA Champions Jacqui Slack and Australia’s Ben Allen are the latest elite athletes to join an international world class field at the inaugural XTERRA England Championships. The race will be held in the stunning grounds of the Vachery Estate in Cranleigh, Surrey on the weekend of the 7th-8th September 2013. The news of their addition to the start line comes just after the pair hit the podium at the XTERRA Saipan Championships this past Saturday. The Saipan titles would become the third of Jacqui Slack's cross country career and the seventh of Ben Allen, who can also count the XTERRA Western Pacific Triple Crown amongst his career honours. With the pair sharing an impressive sporting CV between them, they will no doubt start amongst the favourites for the race. Pro triathlete Jacqui Slack said: I’m so excited to have XTERRA back in the UK! XTERRA is a sport that offers me a unique opportunity to travel around the world, and visit some of the most beautiful places. Now I have the opportunity to showcase to everyone the place I like to call home at XTERRA England! The race is in the heart of the English country side. It’s going to be a race like no other where the whole family can participate and experience what XTERRA is all about. Pro triathlete Ben Allen said: I’m excited to be racing in ‘Pommie’ land and take in some of the beautiful English country side. The racing will be fast, furious and I look forward to the challenges the course has to offer Race Director Mark Davis said: We are delighted to welcome athletes of Jacqui and Ben’s calibre to the race. Holding an XTERRA race in the UK is obviously very appealing to professional triathletes and a brilliant opportunity for age-groupers to come to this course and race against the best in the world. International off-road series, XTERRA, returns to the UK for the first time since 2009 and will be raced at the Vachery Estate in Surrey on a course designed by top off-road athlete Sam Gardiner. The XTERRA England Championship event offers 40 qualifying spots for athletes looking to qualify for the world championships held later in the year in Maui, Hawaii. XTERRA racing is fast and furious over challenging, but very fun courses that include off-road sections on the bike and the run leg. The XTERRA series is considered to be the pinnacle in off-road triathlon and attracts the very best in off-road competitors, yet it has a very warm and open attitude to newcomers. The race itself is set within the open grounds of the Vachery Estate, which provide a very welcoming setting for young families and supporters whilst you race it out in the spring-fed lake and stunning woodlands. Pro triathlete Jacqui Slack offers the following tips for first-timers: Anyone wanting to be involved in XTERRA will require a smile, laid back attitude and a desire to live life on the edge! Be prepared to get dirty and spend time challenging yourself with some of the toughest terrain the English countryside has to offer. Practice riding your mountain bike. If possible, practice on the course before the race and familiarise yourself with the terrain and technical sections. Do some of your run sessions off-road on the trails, practice some short technical climbs and descents. As well as the standard distance, the organisers are running a sprint distance event alongside so that all can try this fantastic race experience and course. There are further options that include a 6-hour endurance mountain bike race and open water swims which form part of the H2O open water series. Find out more about XTERRA England and sign up to this race at the event website: http://xterra-england.co.uk/

The UK Ultimate Triathlon

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UK Triathlon (www.uktriathlon.co.uk) move into long distance for the first time in their 21 year history with the introduction of the UK Ultimate Triathlon as part of their 2013 Race Series. After 21 years of delivering events, UK Triathlon will now organise the biggest distance triathlon you can get… The UK Ultimate Triathlon will take place at the very scenic, centrally located Dearnford Lake, Whitchurch, Shropshire on Sunday 18th August and is a fast and flat course with a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike course and a 26.2 mile run. On top of that the Gatorade BIG HALF which has taken place at Trentham Gardens since 2003 has now moved to its new home in Shropshire and has been replaced with the UK Ultimate Half, better water quality, excellent flat bike course and fantastic flat run course. This BTF registered race will be a spectator friendly course with laps in the swim, on the bike and run courses ideal for friends and family to watch you perform, in what will be a great organised race with loads of atmosphere. The chip timing system implemented for this event will give you some great splits. The 2.4 mile swim will take place in the beautiful fresh water lake. Organiser Vic Bickerton says “this lake is so amazing to swim in and great to go for a personal best, it has no current and is very clear. The report from the Environment Agency sanctions it almost good enough to drink! Not only that, you leave the water after each lap to get your lap swim splits so your family and friends can be at the water's edge to cheer you on” The bike course runs along the A41 and A53 on a 28 mile loop (maps are up and available to see at www.uktriathlon.co.uk), completing each lap back at the venue. This bike course is as flat as can be, with cycle lanes on the course and only roundabouts to negotiate, it is once again ideal to achieve a personal best if the conditions are right. The run course is a 6.5 mile loop starting with a grass run around the lake then onto the countryside roads; once again a very flat course and ideal for watching all the competitors come across the finish line as the run course loops around the venue. The picturesque Dearnford Lake has been earmarked by UK Triathlon for a couple of years, launching their People’s Triathlon in 2012 as a pilot event. Vic says, “We launched the People’s Triathlon last year with a view to holding something special at this amazing venue in 2013. It is ideal not only for our People’s Triathlon but also the UK Ultimate Triathlon which forms part of our new UK TRI-FEST, a week-long festival of triathlon activities. We have everything under one roof so to speak - onsite parking, camping for all the family, café with a licenced bar and shower and toilet facilities. This venue is centrally located within the UK, making easy access from our motorway systems”. For more information about the UK Ultimate Triathlon or any other triathlon organised by UK Triathlon please contact us on 01270 842 800, email us on info@uktriathlon.co.uk  or visit our website www.uktriathlon.co.uk

Mooloolaba ITU World Cup preview

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Mooloolaba, Australia kicks of the 2013 ITU World Cup Series this Saturday (16th March), with a $60,000 prize purse and $7,500 on offer to the winners. The event falls three weeks before the opening of the World Triathlon Series (Auckland) - the top tier of ITU racing - and that seem to have impacted the field in volume and depth terms. That said, an event that has the 2012 ITU Grand Final winners - male and female - present, certainly can't be called weak, and for several athletes presents a great opportunity to break through on a world level. Mooloolaba ITU World Cup - Preview Ladies After a debut ITU World Cup win in Guatape last year, added to another win to kick off 2013 recently at the Devonport OTU Sprint Oceania Championships, Great Britain's Jodie Stimpson will head into Saturday's opening ITU World Cup event of the 2013 season with, quite rightly, high hopes and full of confidence. Her post-Olympic coaching switch to train with the 'D-Squad' of Darren Smith has seemingly elevated her to a new level of performance. We feel she is a potential winner here. The ladies field is a surprisingly small one, with just 17 athletes currently on the start list - but there is quality there. Another D-Squad member, Anne Haug (GER) was the star of the late 2012 season, second in Yokohama followed by Grand Final (Auckland) victory left her with the silver medal in the World Triathlon Series for the year. Haug's strength have traditionally been bike / run, so a smaller field could leave her exposed if she misses the pace of the leaders in the swim. If she swims well however... it could spell danger for the other 16 racers. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) wears race #1, and the ever consistent Kiwi took third in this race last year to the absent this time around Erin Densham and Olympic Champion Nicola Spirig. No Densham, but Australia's other two 2012 Olympians Emma Moffatt and Emma Jackson do start. We last saw Moffatt race over the half-iron format, where she took a close second in the Australian Long Course Champs to recent Abu Dhabi Triathlon winner Melissa Hauschildt. Olympic Bronze in 2008 and World Champion on 2009 and 2010, Moffatt will expect better than the ninth she recorded in Mooloolaba last year. Ireland's Aileen Reid (nee Morrison) finished third in Devonport behind Jodie Stimpson and the two meet again here, while the other name we'd pick out is Maaike Caelers (NED). The 22 year old Dutch athlete had a real breakthrough season last year including World Triathlon Series podiums in Stockholm and Yokohama towards the back end of the season. Men 26 athletes listed for the men and, if recent history is anything to go by, no Brownlee's but Javier Gomez wearing #1 probably suggests, strongly, who the race favourite is. Javier finished 2012 in stunning form at the Grand Final, Hy-Vee and XTERRA World's, and has started 2013 in the same style by winning Escape from Alcatraz - clearly the man to beat. Javier will also be extending his skill set to Middle Distance racing this year too. We've no doubt he'll perform superbly there too. Mooloolaba last year saw a three-man sprint between Laurent Vidal (FRA), Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) and David Hauss (FRA), though of that trio only race winner Vidal returns, and will be expecting to challenge Gomez for top spot. Stuart Hayes is the sole GB entrant, while Ireland are represented by Bryan Keane. Australian Peter Kerr is a man on the rise currently following a third (Geelong) and two wins (Devonport and Wellington) in recent ITU events in the region, and he'll have countrymen Ryan Bailie and Cameron Good also looking to take the opportunity to step up a level and make a mark. A smaller field might give them that opportunity. One thing we do know - with Richard Varga (SVK) in the field, there will be no hanging around in the water.

Mark Davis, The Vachery Man...

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At the recent Triathlon Show at Sandown Park we sat down with race organiser Mark Davis, who will be a busy man in 2013. Mark has two huge events on the calendar this year - the Vachery Triathlon Festival on Sunday 21st July, which includes a closed-roads Standard and Middle Distance event taking place at the Vachery Estate, Cranleigh, Surrey. The Middle Distance event is eagerly anticipated - as it has a £10,000 prize purse on offer - with the event featuring full road closures as part of the Olympic legacy program. Mark is also bringing the XTERRA brand back to the UK with the XTERRA England Championship, also at Vachery Estate, over the weekend of 7th-8th September. 40 qualifying spots for the XTERRA World Champs in Maui and a $15,000 Pro prize purse make this a race to take note of. Mark Davis - Vachery Triathlon Festival and XTERRA England Championship Organiser 21st July 2013: Vachery Triathlon Festival: www.vacherytriathlon.co.uk 7th-8th September 2013: XTERRA England Championship Festival: www.xterra-england.co.uk

No Belt-Tightening for Britain’s Triathletes in 2013

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One third of triathletes expect a 10-20+ % increase in discretionary tri spend in 2013 In spite of the ongoing economic gloom, Britain's triathlon community is determined to buck the trend for belt-tightening and spend its way to better performance through 2013, according to initial research results unveiled today by the Triathlon Industry Association (TIA). With an average salary of £45,000 and household size of 2.6 people, a demographic that is often referred to as the ‘squeezed middle', British triathletes, still buoyed by the Brownlees' Olympic heroics last summer, will not be letting shrinking discretionary spending power stand in the way of their training and racing goals. The study, the most comprehensive of its kind ever undertaken of the British triathlon community, is being conducted over a four-month period. As part of the process, the UK triathlete research element generated 3,800 completed responses to questions on all aspects of a triathlete's lifestyle. The results indicate that two thirds of respondents expect to spend the same or more on their triathlon pursuits this year, with as many as a third of triathletes expecting a 10-20% increase in spend in 2013. Further to that, outgoings on tri hardware will be a big growth area, with average spend on next bike purchase rising from £1500 to £1900, a surge of 27%. Two-thirds of those surveyed will look to purchase a new wetsuit every 2-3 years; whilst one in five travelled overseas last year to compete and up to 75% would consider doing so in the future. The level of triathletes' dedication to their sport is demonstrated as clearly in terms of time as money, with 61% of those surveyed disclosing that they have devoted between 5-10 hours a week to triathlon training over the winter. This is an impressive figure in light of 78% of respondents struggling against work pressures and 49% managing family responsibilities to achieve their training goals. The struggles are worthwhile however, as the research found that average earnings rose in line with time invested in triathlon. With respondents across all levels averaging 40 years of age and 83% having completed a degree/college education, the salaries earned and the proportion of women grew as time spent on triathlon went up. Whilst it does not point to a causal link between between a higher salary and tri participation, the TIA research findings indicated that those who spent more time training and who had been in the sport longer (rather than new starters) had entered more events in 2012 and had a higher average salary. The Olympic glow was also clearly evidenced from the results with 20% of respondents having completed their first event in 2012, despite the atrocious weather conditions throughout last season. Gary Roethenbaugh, Managing Director of MultiSport Research, the author of the report on behalf of TIA comments, “We always suspected that triathletes were a resolute bunch. These initial findings show that the sport continues to go from strength to strength, with a healthy proportion of new starters joining an ever-more determined core population.” The TIA – which comprises event organisers, equipment manufacturers, tour operators, retailers, distributors, and media – has worked in conjunction with the sport's governing body, the British Triathlon Federation to compile the findings which extend to all areas of a triathlete's lifestyle. www.triathlonindustryassociation.org www.facebook.com/TriathlonIndustry Twiitter.com/TIA_triathlon.

Weekend preview: March 16-17

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If you want exotic locations and warm weather this weekend then there's a fair choice out there. The ITU World Cup circuit reaches Mooloolaba (for some odd reason that name always makes me smile) and Jodie Stimpson and Stuart Hayes are on the list along with Bryan Keane and Aileen Reed of Ireland and the currently stateless Ben Shaw who is racing under the ITU colours. We have a full preview piece on the Mooloolaba event HERE. The ITU also have a Pan American Cup race in Sarasota (and that's a lovely place too) where Graham Leitch is racing along with Conor Murphy (IRL) and long-term Brit resident Lawrence Fanous (JOR). The Ironman machine is up and running again with Ironman Los Cabos in Mexico where Yvette Grice and Paul Amey are listed and we have a separate preview piece for that one online too, HERE where, despite Ironman Melbourne next week, some top quality athletes are signed up to race. Another strong field too at Ironman 70.3 San Juan. Can anyone beat the two-time champions Timothy O'Donnell and Kelly Williamson? Jodie Swallow and Leanda Cave will both hope the answerto that one is 'yes'. Add in Mirinda Carfrae (AUS), Helle Frederiksen (DEN), Camilla Perdersen (DEN), Linsey Corbin (USA)... and more into the mix, and that is top draw Pro line up. Much the same for the men too, where Andrew Starykowicz (USA), will likely be looking to show the fireworks on the bike that set him the fastet Ironman bike split in history on the way to winning Ironman Florida last year. Whether he has the run legs over 13 miles to hold off O'Donnell, Richie Cunningham (AUS), Dirk Bockel (LUX), Faris Al-Sultan (GER) ans several 'ITU-familiar' names (Kahlefeldt, Shoemaker, Huerta...) is another question. The annual migration of the 'off-road Brit' community to the Pacific islands continues with Sunday's road-based middle distance(ish) Tagaman Triathlon which is a counterfoil to last weekend's Saipan XTERRA. Hopefully Sam Gardner will have caught up on his sleep by then... There's loads to choose from on the domestic calendar: Saturday has the unusual format Firefighters 2Up Duathlon near Preston, the second of Votwo's Salty Dog Duathlons at Boscombe in Dorset and the Tramore Duathlon at Waterford in Ireland. There's also the Maxifuel Pre-London Half Marathon at Dorney Lake for those looking for some flat miles. Dorney Lake turns to duathlon on Sunday with the third of the Maxifuel Duathlon events and the Oulton Park Circuit hosts standard and sprint distance duathlons. A circuit of a different type, the Gravesend Cyclopark, will also be home to another of the winter-long series of events staged by the Bridge Triathlon organiser, John Setford. After last weekend's British Duathlon Championships at Rutland Water it's the turn of the Welsh to hold theirs at the Pembrokeshire Duathlon. Yet more run bike run action at the ECF Monster Duathon at Ely, the Marlow Duathlon, the Derwent Duathlon and two distances are on offer at the Winchester Duathlon. If you are after off-road events then it's the turn of Thetford Forest to host the Mud & Mayhem event with a supporting 10k. Rounding out the calendar are a couple of aquathlons; the sixth of the Damp Dash winter series at Frome Leisure Centre and the first of a new series based at Guildford Sports Park. FULL WEEKEND RACE LISTINGS

Off That Couch Fitness RT launched

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News here of a new Age Group Race Team for 2013 - Off That Couch Fitness RT - which includes confirmation of a return to racing action of a very familiar name to the (race winning) pages of Tri247 from years past, Dan Corner. Off That Couch Fitness Race Team (OTCF RT) OTCF RT was formed by Steve Clark a triathlon coach from North Lincolnshire. Steve has been a commitee member and coach for his local club Lincsquad since the club formed in 2007. With Lincsquad's encouragement and support Steve has gone on to build what's now an established coaching business and newly formed Race Team. Robbie Whitaker also from North Lincolnshire and a member of Lincsquad joins Steve in the Race Team. Both Steve and Robbie have already qualified for the Ironman World Championships at Kona 2013. This was achieved by qualifying at Ironman Wales in 2012. Steve finished 25th overall in 9 hours 40 minutes, a feat that meant finishing ahead of twenty professional athletes. Robbie qualified by winning the 18-24 Age Group by a margin of over twenty two minutes, and, like Steve, setting a time well under the 10 hour mark with a time of 9 hours 46 minutes. To cap off such a successful season Robbie was given the revered title of being ranked 'Number One Ironman Age Grouper in the UK' for 2012. This moniker being helped by setting a commendable time of nine hours two minutes at Ironman Sweden. Robbie's trio of Bronze medals (overall) at Dambuster, Vitruvian and Bala middle distance added to his palmarés. The newly formed Race Tean will race under www.offthatcouchfitness.co.uk RT / Lincsquad as they are still active members of their local club. OTCF are also pleased to announce the third member of the team, Dan Corner, a three-time World Quadrathlon Champion 07, 08 and 09. This will be a comeback year for Dan after enjoying a few years out with his family. His very impressive Race CV also shows a World Triathlon Age Group Bronze medal, overall wins at Dambuster and Helvellyn Triathlon and another win at the Bournemouth International Triathlon. The OTCF RT Race CV can be viewed here www.offthatcouchfitness.co.uk/otcf-triathlon-race-team OTCF would like to thank all their sponsors that are supporting them through 2013; Claud Butler Cycles, Metres to Miles, Scott Sports, SigSports Compression, Mcbride Sports Science and Physiotherapy and also Pickering Cottage. A fourth member of the team will be announced soon so keep checking the website and look out for the race kit at races such as The Slateman, Ironman UK 70.3, Ironman Austria, Challenge Roth, Dambuster, Club Relays, Brigg Sprint and Ironman Kona plus many more. www.offthatcouchfitness.co.uk/otcf-triathlon-race-team

Meet the Outlaws: Kevin Dawson

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Cycling legend Kevin Dawson targets Outlaw Triathlon (www.theoutlawtriathlon.com). In the build up to the Outlaw triathlon in 2012 there were rumours of a cycling legend turning up on race day to set a monstrous bike split that would tear every other relay team apart. That relay team (GiTri) did escape to victory, and Kevin Dawson was the fastest cyclist on the course by nearly half an hour. With a 100-mile personal best of 3hours 22minutes, Dawson set a formidable pace last year, and the 43 year old from Doncaster is now returning to compete as an individual in the Outlaw 2013. We caught up with him to find out more as part of our first Meet the Outlaws feature in the lead up to the big event in Nottingham on 7th July 2013. Tell us a bit more about your background in cycling: I have previously won a number of British Cycling Championships and held/hold competition records at 50miles (1'37'21) and 100miles (3'22'45) respectively. I set the 100miles record in 2003, but I don’t expect to get too close to this time at the Outlaw! After swimming for an hour and looking forward to a marathon run, I expect to be saving myself a little on the bike. So what appeals about triathlon, and why the Outlaw in particular? I did a triathlon in Leeds 2011, it went ok and I enjoyed the challenge. The wide range in abilities also appealed, it seemed a very friendly sport. I competed in two middle distance events last year, the Middle Distance Champs (10th overall) and the Full Boar event (second to Craig Twigg). I learn something new in every event and have made lots of mistakes. I enjoyed the Team relay at Outlaw last year 2012 (with GI Tri) and I figured then that I would do the whole thing 2013. How will you prepare for the Outlaw? I will be doing Sprint and Olympic events in preparation for Outlaw. I am also doing the Race Across America (team relay) again before the event, hopefully this will help with the bike leg! I fit my training in around work as a PT/Gym instructor for Doncaster Leisure Trust and family commitments. I don’t have much free time at the moment. Do you think your cycling background helps you, and how are your swim and run? The bike leg is the largest part of the triathlon so I see it as an advantage. I run better as well after the bike than I do before! When I get out of the water I am happy! Have you had much help with your swimming? I have focused on my swimming since the end of last year and have had considerable help from two swim coach friends and HUUB. I still have a long way to go! How do you approach the bike leg and what are your tips for others? During the time trial I have plenty to think about with power, cadence, distance, time, splits, nutrition etc. Mainly I just stick to my plan and go as fast as I can. Practice makes perfect on the bike. If you put the work in you will get the rewards. Train specific for your chosen event. I am still working on my nutritional strategy for the Outlaw. I read a lot, try different things in training and see what works for me. Nutrition will play a huge part in the event. What's your ultimate aim in triathlon? I take each event as it comes and my main aim is to enjoy each event that I compete in. Kevin is a member of Strategic Lions RT and is being helped by HUUB. There are still a limited number of places left in the Outlaw Triathlon, visit www.onestepbeyond.org.uk to find out more.

Cycling Open Day: Penarth

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Tomorrow (Saturday 16th March 2013), The John Bruno Total Training Studio (www.personal-trainer-cardiff.com) in Penarth are holding a FREE Charity Cycling Open Morning. Full details below. Get the most out of your cycling in 2013, talk to the professionals! Come along to our FREE open morning on Saturday 16th March to find out everything you need to know to take your cycling to new heights in 2013. Our team will be available to offer advice on a range of topics, from cycling training, pedaling technique, nutrition advice, injury prevention strategies, core strength and so much more! If you’re doing a cycling challenge like the Dragon Ride, the Tour of Pembrokeshire, the Carten100, Ironman Wales or you simply want to know more about how to improve your cycling, please come along and speak with the team. You can check out your pedaling efficiency on our state-of-the-art Wattbike, improve your core strength on our TRX system, learn some new injury prevention tips and tricks and try some protein shake samples from our nutritionist; or just come along and chat about all things cycling! Meet the Team: John Bruno: Personal Trainer. John has over 22 years experience in the fitness industry, specialising in total body conditioning and Pilates. Mark Whittle: Running, triathlon coach and personal trainer. Mark has over 20 years experience in competitive sport within the military, multiple Ironman triathlon finishes and has represented Great Britain at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships. Karen Pearce: Chartered Physiotherapist. Karen has worked with the Scottish and Great Britain women’s hockey teams for 14 years and has over 20 years of experience in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and sports injuries. Caren Richards: Nutritionist. Caren’s degree in Nutritional Medicine and vast knowledge of anatomy & physiology and the body’s biochemistry allows her to advise you on the right foods to eat to fuel your lifestyle and training, making you feel healthier and improve your energy levels. Date: Saturday 16th March 2013 Time: 10am – 1pm Location: John Bruno Total Training Studio, 87 Glebe Street, Penarth. CF64 1EF Pre-book your place at the open morning to enter a FREE prize draw, with the winner receiving a Wattbike session with Mark Whittle. Book via the contacts page on the John Bruno website. Simply enter "Wattbike" in the email subject/heading. This is a FREE event, but we are supporting the CARTEN100 nominated charity, The Noah's Ark Children's Hospital, donations on the day would be greatly appreciated. Contact Mark Whittle or John Bruno for more information on this great FREE event.

Zone3: Official Swim Partner to Triathlon Ireland

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Triathlon Ireland is pleased to be teaming up with leading British wetsuit provider Zone3 as the Official Swim Partner to Triathlon Ireland. Zone 3 was established in 2008 by elite triathlete James Lock who has competed for Ireland on numerous occasions. James is a noted swimmer exiting first out of the water at many elite triathlon events, and is a former Age Group Aquathlon World Champion. This in-depth knowledge of the sport, combined with years of research at Loughborough University, has enabled the development of some of the highest performance wetsuits available on the market. Zone3 is proud to be supporting Triathlon Ireland and the National Junior squad for 2013 and 2014. James Lock himself stated earlier in the year, the importance of Ireland in the growing British triathlon industry. He hopes the team can improve on their successful 2012 year, and is confident that Zone3 wetsuits can offer a performance edge in the water. The squad has seen ever improving results topped off by a World Junior Bronze Medal in Auckland when Mayo's Con Doherty, put in a brilliant performance in torrential rain. The squad will be looking to once again improve on their results and stamp their mark on international races throughout the year. One such target will be the Junior European Cup being held in Athlone on the 6th of July where there will be a strong representation from the Irish Junior athletes. This partnership marks a continuation in Zone3's effort to support triathlon in Ireland at all levels. Zne3 prides itself on working with athletes of all abilities and utilises that close working relationship to develop better products year-on-year. Speaking with Triathlon Ireland's Chris Jones – High Performance Director, he had this to say: “Zone 3 is renowned as having some of the best wetsuits on the market. The Triathlon Ireland Junior Squad are competing at the top level so it is important that we support them as much as possible, teaming up with Zone3 allows them to compete in the best equipment available”. For further details about Zone3, please visit: www.racezone3.com For further details about Triathlon Ireland and its race team, please visit: www.triathlonireland.com

Jacqui Slack, Ben Allen take Tagaman titles

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Great Britain's Jacqui Slack and Australia's Ben Allen, the fast couple of XTERRA racing won 'on-road' today at the Tagaman Triathlon in Saipan, each collecting a $2,200 share of the $15,200 prize purse for the 2k / 60k / 15k event. In doing so, Jacqui retained the title she won last year, while Allen makes it three wins in as many weekends, following XTERRA Philippines and XTERRA Saipan. The Tagaman was the only on of the Pacific 'Grand Slam' Ben didn't win in 2012. If he can win XTERRA Guam next week, he'll manage, adding to his XTERRA triple last year. Scotland's Rory Downie stuck with Allen through the swim and bike legs to take second, while former winner Sam Gardner took a strong third ahead of former ITU World Champion Olivier Marceau (SUI). Pos Men Women 1st Ben Allen (AUS) 2:51:16 Jacqui Slack (GBR) 3:16:15 2nd Rory Downie (GBR) 2:54:39 Carina Wasle (AUT) 3:18:00 3rd Sam Gardner (GBR) 2:55:53 Peri Gray (AUS) 3:20:41 4th Olivier Marceau (SUI) 3:01:28 Mieko Carey (JPN) 3:23:00 5th David Esposito (NCL) 3:07:24 Renata Bucher (SUI) 3:29:14 FULL RESULTS
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