Britain’s Lucy Charles has been crowned the winner of Challenge Family’s inaugural The Championship 2017 at Samorin, Slovakia.
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More than 900 competitors from 57 nations lined up alongside the Danube River – in the shadow of the incredible x-bionic® sphere, and conditions were favourable with light winds and a temperature of 20 – 28°C.
The elite women’s line-up included Heather Wurtele (CAN), Annabel Luxford (AUS), Emma Pallant (GBR) and Lucy Charles (GBR) – fresh from her win at Ironman Lanzarote.
Charles took an early lead, exiting the water 25 secs in front of Luxford, followed by Salthouse (+ 01.26). However out on the bike leg, Luxford took the lead with Charles dropping down to third place, whilst Kimberly Morrison (GBR) put in a strong performance to climb up to second place 45km into the bike leg.
Entering T2 it would be Kimberly Morrison (GBR) in first, Luxford (AUS) in second and Wurtele (NZL) in third.
On the run course, Morrison started with a 53 second lead, but after a dominant start to her run, Luxford took, what seemed at the time, a comfortable lead. Within the first 5km of the run, Wurtele had climbed up to second place to continue to reduce the gap between herself and Luxford, with Charles emerging on both their tails.
Charles put in a spectacular run and in the last kilometre stole the lead, crossing the finish line in an impressive 04.14.32.
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Charles said: “I can’t believe it. I could see that I was closing the gap on the run, but I didn’t expect to claw in the race win. Epic course, epic race and I really am over the moon. I think the 20m draft rule is great, and certainly works in my favour.”
OMG!! What a race! Loved it! Super exciting racing with classy ladies! Unreal to take the win
The study, which comprised an in-depth quantitative survey of 5,529 triathletes and multiple trade interviews, found that the UK’s growing population of 150,000 triathletes, up 7% on 2015, are now spending an average of £2,970 per year on the sport.
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Since London 2012, the areas driving growth included wetsuits (up 137%), sports nutrition (up 82%) and event entries, travel and accommodation (up 67%).
Wetsuit sales, benefitting from the growth in the popularity of open water swimming alongside triathlon, increased 13% last year, with 72% of those surveyed having bought a new wetsuit within the past three years.
The growing adoption of sports nutrition, up 15% year on year, as a training and race aid was evidenced by 75% of respondents now using nutrition products at least once per week.
The economic uncertainty introduced by June’s Brexit vote was unable to stop the industry growing by 4.4%* overall in 2016. Whilst the ‘big ticket’ purchasing of bikes did suffer, down by 7%, triathletes seemed to console themselves by travelling overseas to race, with 24% racing outside the UK last year.
Despite triathlon no longer being the new kid on the block, its grassroots still look in good shape with 37% of those questioned having started their first race in the last three years. Running is still the primary source for new starters, with 56% of new triathletes having previously been runners.
Mel Berry, TIA Chair said: “For a niche yet constantly evolving sport like ours, this annual study is hugely important; it provides us with a detailed understanding of our community, and the trends affecting them, which gives us the vital confidence to make informed decisions, both individually and collectively. I would like to extend a big thank you to all of the 5,529 survey respondents and to the trade representatives who helped fine-tune the report.”
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For more information about TIA: http://www.triathlonindustryassociation.org/
The study, which comprised an in-depth quantitative survey of 5,529 triathletes and multiple trade interviews, found that the UK’s growing population of 150,000 triathletes, up 7% on 2015, are now spending an average of £2,970 per year on the sport.
Since London 2012, the areas driving growth included wetsuits (up 137%), sports nutrition (up 82%) and event entries, travel and accommodation (up 67%).
Wetsuit sales, benefitting from the growth in the popularity of open water swimming alongside triathlon, increased 13% last year, with 72% of those surveyed having bought a new wetsuit within the past three years.
The growing adoption of sports nutrition, up 15% year on year, as a training and race aid was evidenced by 75% of respondents now using nutrition products at least once per week.
The economic uncertainty introduced by June’s Brexit vote was unable to stop the industry growing by 4.4%* overall in 2016. Whilst the ‘big ticket’ purchasing of bikes did suffer, down by 7%, triathletes seemed to console themselves by travelling overseas to race, with 24% racing outside the UK last year.
Despite triathlon no longer being the new kid on the block, its grassroots still look in good shape with 37% of those questioned having started their first race in the last three years. Running is still the primary source for new starters, with 56% of new triathletes having previously been runners.
Mel Berry, TIA Chair said: “For a niche yet constantly evolving sport like ours, this annual study is hugely important; it provides us with a detailed understanding of our community, and the trends affecting them, which gives us the vital confidence to make informed decisions, both individually and collectively. I would like to extend a big thank you to all of the 5,529 survey respondents and to the trade representatives who helped fine-tune the report.”
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For more information about TIA: http://www.triathlonindustryassociation.org/
4x Kona champ Chrissie Wellington has announced she will be running Heineken Race to the Tower, a double marathon along the Cotswolds Way, on 10th June.
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“I’m really excited about this new adventure, but I have to admit to being slightly daunted too. The HeinekenRace to the Tower is a huge, huge challenge for me,” she says.
“An ultra is something I said I would never do and I’m quite worried that I may not even finish. I did run the London Marathon in April, which was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed having a sporting goal again – even if I’m not as fast as I used to be. I’m still not sure what came over me, but I decided to Google ultra races soon after crossing the finish line. I blame post marathon delirium.
“In terms of race strategy I don’t really know what to expect but I have asked a few, experienced ultra runners for their advice, and the consensus seems to be: take a slower pace, fuel relatively early on and walk the hills. And, most importantly, enjoy it!”
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The Heineken Race to the Tower is a double marathon that runs from Gloucestershire to Worcestershire. The route takes in some quintessentially English villages and landmarks, including Winchcombe, Painswick and Sudeley Castle, before finishing at Broadway Tower in Worcestershire.
4x Kona champ Chrissie Wellington has announced she will be running Heineken Race to the Tower, a double marathon along the Cotswolds Way, on 10th June.
“I’m really excited about this new adventure, but I have to admit to being slightly daunted too. The HeinekenRace to the Tower is a huge, huge challenge for me,” she says.
“An ultra is something I said I would never do and I’m quite worried that I may not even finish. I did run the London Marathon in April, which was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed having a sporting goal again – even if I’m not as fast as I used to be. I’m still not sure what came over me, but I decided to Google ultra races soon after crossing the finish line. I blame post marathon delirium.
“In terms of race strategy I don’t really know what to expect but I have asked a few, experienced ultra runners for their advice, and the consensus seems to be: take a slower pace, fuel relatively early on and walk the hills. And, most importantly, enjoy it!”
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The Heineken Race to the Tower is a double marathon that runs from Gloucestershire to Worcestershire. The route takes in some quintessentially English villages and landmarks, including Winchcombe, Painswick and Sudeley Castle, before finishing at Broadway Tower in Worcestershire.
This Sunday the fourth leg of the WTS takes place in Leeds and all British hopes will be on the Brownlees in men’s elite race, hoping they can repeat last year’s success of a one-two.
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This year Ali Brownlee has been focusing on the longer 70.3 distances and Jonny has had a disappointing start to the season with bike crashes and injuries, but both will be hungry for a win in their home city.
Ali said: “I’m obviously really looking for to racing in Leeds, I couldn’t miss my home race. The atmosphere in the crowds in the city centre was magical last year, so hopefully there will be even more people turn out this year, and they’ll shout even louder.”
Jonny said: “I’ve had a bit of an unlucky start to the year, but if I want to do well in the Series I have to do well in Leeds. So hopefully it will start well on Sunday, and hopefully I can finally beat Alistair in a big race.”
And it would be foolish to rule out Tom Bishop after his second place in the opening round in Abu Dhabi in March. Gordon Benson, Adam Bowden and Scots, Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon complete the British male line up.
Hoping to keep the British men off the podium in Leeds will be Olympic bronze medallist Henri Schoeman (RSA) and Fernando Alarza (ESP) who is presently lying second in the WTS rankings.
The men’s line up
In the women’s Leeds-based Non Stanford, who finished fourth in Rio last summer, is arguably Britain’s biggest challenge to ITU world champion, Flora Duffy who finished second last year behind Gwen Jorgensen.
However, it was super-fast swimmers and cyclists, Jess Learmonth and Lucy Hall who made the best start with Duffy last year. They are back this year along with ETU Triathlon European Champion, India Lee and recent ITU World Cup winner, Georgia Taylor-Brown.
Women’s start list
WTS LEEDS OURSE PROFILE:
The 1.5km swim will take place in the Roundhay Park Lake, located approximately 9km north of Leeds city centre. The 40km bike leg will see athletes leave Roundhay Park and head into the city centre and complete a full loop that leads back into the Park before finishing in T2 in the city centre. The 10km run course will take you on a city centre loop which will take you past iconic landmarks such as Town Hall, Millennium Square and The Headrow.
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Both races will be live on BBC2 on Sunday 11 June with the women starting at 13:00 and the men’s at 15:45. You can also follow the action @220Triathlon or watch it on triathlonlive.tv if you’re not in the UK
This Sunday the fourth leg of the WTS takes place in Leeds and all British hopes will be on the Brownlees in men’s elite race, hoping they can repeat last year’s success of a one-two.
Advertisement
This year Ali Brownlee has been focusing on the longer 70.3 distances and Jonny has had a disappointing start to the season with bike crashes and injuries, but both will be hungry for a win in their home city.
Ali said: “I’m obviously really looking for to racing in Leeds, I couldn’t miss my home race. The atmosphere in the crowds in the city centre was magical last year, so hopefully there will be even more people turn out this year, and they’ll shout even louder.”
Jonny said: “I’ve had a bit of an unlucky start to the year, but if I want to do well in the Series I have to do well in Leeds. So hopefully it will start well on Sunday, and hopefully I can finally beat Alistair in a big race.”
And it would be foolish to rule out Tom Bishop after his second place in the opening round in Abu Dhabi in March. Gordon Benson, Adam Bowden and Scots, Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon complete the British male line up.
Hoping to keep the British men off the podium in Leeds will be Olympic bronze medallist Henri Schoeman (RSA) and Fernando Alarza (ESP) who is presently lying second in the WTS rankings.
The men’s line up
In the women’s Leeds-based Non Stanford, who finished fourth in Rio last summer, is arguably Britain’s biggest challenge to ITU world champion, Flora Duffy who finished second last year behind Gwen Jorgensen.
However, it was super-fast swimmers and cyclists, Jess Learmonth and Lucy Hall who made the best start with Duffy last year. They are back this year along with ETU Triathlon European Champion, India Lee and recent ITU World Cup winner, Georgia Taylor-Brown.
Women’s start list
WTS LEEDS OURSE PROFILE:
The 1.5km swim will take place in the Roundhay Park Lake, located approximately 9km north of Leeds city centre. The 40km bike leg will see athletes leave Roundhay Park and head into the city centre and complete a full loop that leads back into the Park before finishing in T2 in the city centre. The 10km run course will take you on a city centre loop which will take you past iconic landmarks such as Town Hall, Millennium Square and The Headrow.
Both races will be live on BBC2 on Sunday 11 June with the women starting at 13:00 and the men’s at 15:45. You can also follow the action @220Triathlon or watch it on triathlonlive.tv if you’re not in the UK
The ITU have announced that the triathlon mixed relays have been included on the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee announced that this new event joined a selection of other new events, including basketball 3×3, archery mixed team event, 4×400 mixed relays in athletics, BMX freestyle park, Madison in cycling, team events in fencing, mixed team event in judo, mixed doubles in table tennis and 4x100m medley mixed relay in swimming.
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In August 2020, the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo will host the third triathlon event during the next Olympics, giving triathletes the possibility to earn another Olympic medal. The mixed relays will represent a catalyst on the promotion of women athletes within all NOCs around the world, as it completely fulfils the Agenda 2020 requirements.
Marisol Casado, President of ITU and IOC Member, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this decision. We’ve been pushing for the Mixed Relays to be included in the programme for quite a long time, as it is an event that gives the sport something very important: a sense of team building. But most important, is an event that demonstrates that women and men can compete together but both are equally important to the success of the team.”
IOC President, Mr Thomas Bach, said: “The fascinating new events that we approved today, together with the five new sports that were added to the Tokyo 2020 programme last year, represent a step-change in the Olympic programme. I am delighted that the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 will be more youthful, more urban and will include more women”.
The mixed relays is one of the most thrilling events in triathlon, with teams of two men and two women completing each a short-course triathlon (300m swim, 8km bike, 2km run) before tagging off to their teammate to take over. With its rapid and unpredictable format, athletes love it and spectators enjoy it both onsite and on television, making it one of the most spectacular formats of the circuit.
With no extra athletes needed to be added to the Olympic Programme, and lots of extra excitement ensured, the mixed relays are also backed by triathlon fans and event organisers around the world.
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“It will be amazing if we could have two opportunities to get a medal at the Olympic Games,” said Olympic champ Gwen Jorgensen.
The ITU have announced that the triathlon mixed relays have been included on the programme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee announced that this new event joined a selection of other new events, including basketball 3×3, archery mixed team event, 4×400 mixed relays in athletics, BMX freestyle park, Madison in cycling, team events in fencing, mixed team event in judo, mixed doubles in table tennis and 4x100m medley mixed relay in swimming.
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In August 2020, the Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo will host the third triathlon event during the next Olympics, giving triathletes the possibility to earn another Olympic medal. The mixed relays will represent a catalyst on the promotion of women athletes within all NOCs around the world, as it completely fulfils the Agenda 2020 requirements.
Marisol Casado, President of ITU and IOC Member, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this decision. We’ve been pushing for the Mixed Relays to be included in the programme for quite a long time, as it is an event that gives the sport something very important: a sense of team building. But most important, is an event that demonstrates that women and men can compete together but both are equally important to the success of the team.”
IOC President, Mr Thomas Bach, said: “The fascinating new events that we approved today, together with the five new sports that were added to the Tokyo 2020 programme last year, represent a step-change in the Olympic programme. I am delighted that the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 will be more youthful, more urban and will include more women”.
The mixed relays is one of the most thrilling events in triathlon, with teams of two men and two women completing each a short-course triathlon (300m swim, 8km bike, 2km run) before tagging off to their teammate to take over. With its rapid and unpredictable format, athletes love it and spectators enjoy it both onsite and on television, making it one of the most spectacular formats of the circuit.
With no extra athletes needed to be added to the Olympic Programme, and lots of extra excitement ensured, the mixed relays are also backed by triathlon fans and event organisers around the world.
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“It will be amazing if we could have two opportunities to get a medal at the Olympic Games,” said Olympic champ Gwen Jorgensen.
There can be no doubt WTS Leeds belonged to Flora Duffy from Bermuda. Heading into the fourth leg of the World Triathlon Series in Leeds, fresh from her win in Yokohama she would be the one to beat, but no-one could guess how much she would dominate the race.
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Britain’s Jess Learmonth took the lead early in the 1.5km swim, which took place in the Roundhay Park Lake, with Non Stanford 18 secs behind at the end of the first swim lap. She would hold and extend this lead through the second lap, and exited the swim first, with Flora Duffy in fourth, and Non Stanford in 18th, about a minute down.
Always a strong cyclist Learmonth set out on the bike leg with a mission to prove, however this lead was short-lived as on hearing how far back Stanford was, she decided to hold back to help get Stanford back into contention.
Flora Duffy then made her move and before the first bike lap was over she was part of a leading group of four that included Alice Betto (Italy), Maya Kingma from The Netherlands and Taylor Spivey from USA.
This group meant business and increased their lead every lap, from 01:05 after the first lap to 02:30 by the time they headed into T2. This was an incredible lead over the chase group, which included Stanford and Learmonth, and the chances for a Brit making a podium finish were looking slim.
Heading into the run Flora Duffy had to be the favourite, and within minutes she dropped Betto, Spivey, and Kingma – the cycling leg having really taken its toll. Kingma would then be dropped and it looked like silver and bronze positions would be fought between Betto and Spivey, with Spivey proving to be the stronger runner. Betto would take third and be the first Italian to make a WTS podium.
“It felt amazing,” says Spivey. “I worked really hard trying to keep up with Flora, but it was worth it!”
“It was a perfect race,” says Betto.
A phenomenal run from American athlete Kiirsten Kasper saw her overtake Kingma to get into fourth, and would end the race as the leader of the series. A great performance on the run by Learmonth left her in 6th place, her best WTS finish.
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But the day would belong to Duffy and her campaign to retain her world championship title is very much on…