Hundreds of entrants battled monsoon-like conditions at the British University, College and Schools Sprint Championships last weekend, with Cardiff Metropolitan Uni students Sam Wade and Zoe Thomas eventually taking individual honours.
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The morning’s racing started with glorious sunshine at St Mary’s Sports Centre in Calne, Wiltshire; unfortunately this proved to be the calm before the storm as 639 competitors took on the variable weather conditions from stormy to pure sunshine.
The triathletes who started early managed to escape the worst of the weather with only a few minor puddles to avoid. The triathletes who started later were not as lucky.
Proceedings were brought to a halt when the main thunderstorm hit and race officials made the decision to suspend the racing for 10 minutes. “The flashes of lighting and stair rod rain made the decision easy to stop the race for safety reasons until the storm had passed,” said race director Aaron Ward.
After a short break the racing was back underway as the triathletes took on the 750m pool based swim, 25km bike and 5km run. The weather improved as the elite triathletes took to the course but the road conditions being greasy made for fearless bike handling skills as the elites gambled on the wet and dry sections of the course setting them up for a fast flat 5km run.
As the racing came to a close, Samuel Wade of Cardiff Metropolitan Uni was the quickest across the line in a time of 01:05:18, nearly a minute ahead of Richard Horton 01:06:14 and Chris Perham 01:06:17, both of Loughborough Uni.
It proved to be a clean sweep for Cardiff Metropolitan Uni when Zoe Thomas took the women’s BUCS title in 01:11:43. In second place was Sophie Coldwell a Loughborough student in the world class performance squad at Loughborough with an overall time of 01:12:32 who lost time on the bike section to Zoe Thomas.
In third position was Chloe Cook from Leeds Beckett Uni (Carnegie) who had the fastest run split of the day in 18:23 and an overall time of 01:12:47. The fastest female swim split on the day was Kimberley Bell in 09:08. A triathlete to watch out for in the future from Birmingham Uni was Floren Scrafton with an overall position of 12th but with the third fastest female run split of the day with 18:49.
For full results head here.
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Did you race at BUCS Sprint Champs? Let us know in the comments below!
Hundreds of entrants battled monsoon-like conditions at the British University, College and Schools Sprint Championships last weekend, with Cardiff Metropolitan Uni students Sam Wade and Zoe Thomas eventually taking individual honours.
Advertisement
The morning’s racing started with glorious sunshine at St Mary’s Sports Centre in Calne, Wiltshire; unfortunately this proved to be the calm before the storm as 639 competitors took on the variable weather conditions from stormy to pure sunshine.
The triathletes who started early managed to escape the worst of the weather with only a few minor puddles to avoid. The triathletes who started later were not as lucky.
Proceedings were brought to a halt when the main thunderstorm hit and race officials made the decision to suspend the racing for 10 minutes. “The flashes of lighting and stair rod rain made the decision easy to stop the race for safety reasons until the storm had passed,” said race director Aaron Ward.
After a short break the racing was back underway as the triathletes took on the 750m pool based swim, 25km bike and 5km run. The weather improved as the elite triathletes took to the course but the road conditions being greasy made for fearless bike handling skills as the elites gambled on the wet and dry sections of the course setting them up for a fast flat 5km run.
As the racing came to a close, Samuel Wade of Cardiff Metropolitan Uni was the quickest across the line in a time of 01:05:18, nearly a minute ahead of Richard Horton 01:06:14 and Chris Perham 01:06:17, both of Loughborough Uni.
It proved to be a clean sweep for Cardiff Metropolitan Uni when Zoe Thomas took the women’s BUCS title in 01:11:43. In second place was Sophie Coldwell a Loughborough student in the world class performance squad at Loughborough with an overall time of 01:12:32 who lost time on the bike section to Zoe Thomas.
In third position was Chloe Cook from Leeds Beckett Uni (Carnegie) who had the fastest run split of the day in 18:23 and an overall time of 01:12:47. The fastest female swim split on the day was Kimberley Bell in 09:08. A triathlete to watch out for in the future from Birmingham Uni was Floren Scrafton with an overall position of 12th but with the third fastest female run split of the day with 18:49.
British paratriathletes Andy Lewis and Melissa Reid both picked up bronze medals at the Madrid ITU World Paratriathlon Event yesterday (Sunday 10 May), while teammate Joe Townsend just missed out by finishing fourth.
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Lewis, who is a single leg amputee, had arguably the best race of his career in the PT2 classification (definitions below). Competing in a highly competitive event, he was beaten by the reigning world and European champion, Vasily Egorov (RUS) and Italy’s former world and European champion, Michele Ferrarin.
Reid won bronze in the PT5 classification for visually impaired athletes. She and her guide, Mel King, finished third behind local favourite, Susana Rodriguez (ESP) and Joleen Hakker (NED).
Joe Townsend faced a tough field in the PT1 event, including multiple champions, Jetze Plat (NED) and Bill Chaffey (AUS). Returning from shoulder surgery earlier, Townsend was characteristically tough on the challenging course.
James Smith finished sixth in the PT3 event to round off the British results.
The British squad was smaller than it might have been due to next weekend’s British Paratriathlon Championships in Llanelli. The results of the South Wales event will decide selections for 2015 major championship events, including the World and European Championships.
Madrid marked the third of ten rounds of the ITU World Paratriathlon Event series. The rounds offer ranking points that help secure starting slots at major Championship events.
Paratriathlon sport class definitions:
PT1 – Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment.
PT2 – Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.
PT3 – As above with less severe impairment.
PT5 – total or partial visual impairment competes with a guide.
British paratriathletes Andy Lewis and Melissa Reid both picked up bronze medals at the Madrid ITU World Paratriathlon Event yesterday (Sunday 10 May), while teammate Joe Townsend just missed out by finishing fourth.
Lewis, who is a single leg amputee, had arguably the best race of his career in the PT2 classification (definitions below). Competing in a highly competitive event, he was beaten by the reigning world and European champion, Vasily Egorov (RUS) and Italy’s former world and European champion, Michele Ferrarin.
Reid won bronze in the PT5 classification for visually impaired athletes. She and her guide, Mel King, finished third behind local favourite, Susana Rodriguez (ESP) and Joleen Hakker (NED).
Joe Townsend faced a tough field in the PT1 event, including multiple champions, Jetze Plat (NED) and Bill Chaffey (AUS). Returning from shoulder surgery earlier, Townsend was characteristically tough on the challenging course.
James Smith finished sixth in the PT3 event to round off the British results.
The British squad was smaller than it might have been due to next weekend’s British Paratriathlon Championships in Llanelli. The results of the South Wales event will decide selections for 2015 major championship events, including the World and European Championships.
Madrid marked the third of ten rounds of the ITU World Paratriathlon Event series. The rounds offer ranking points that help secure starting slots at major Championship events.
Paratriathlon sport class definitions:
PT1 – Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment.
PT2 – Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.
PT3 – As above with less severe impairment.
PT5 – total or partial visual impairment competes with a guide.
Germany’s Kona champion Sebastian Kienle has joined the new Bahrain Endurance 13 triathlon squad, completing a very strong lineup that also includes reigning ITU world champion Javier Gomez and 70.3 world champ Daniela Ryf.
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Team manager Chris McCormack says, “We tried to keep it a surprise to the end, but there’s no one else who could be a perfect fit on a team of superstars. He’s the current Ironman World Champion, two times Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Ironman Europe Champion, and the most lethal bike rider in the history of the sport.”
Kienle believes the Bahrain Endurance 13 is the strongest triathlon team ever, and wants to take part in making it the most successful as well. He states, “It is an honour to be part of this great group of athletes.
“I believe that the members of the team are great role models for others to start to have a more active lifestyle. I think there is great potential in the Middle East. I like the vision behind the team, and sport can do a lot of good things in the world.”
Kienle joins a team that has racked up great results this weekend to support the official launch. Sam Appleton won the Byron Bay Triathlon, while at Ironman 70.3 Mallorca Daniela Ryf scored an overall win and His Highness Shaikh Nasser finished 13th in his age category; both have qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship to be held in Austria.
At the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Vietnam, James Cunnama and Caroline Steffen stood atop the podium, while Terenzo Bozzone went three-for-three with another podium finish from three consecutive weekends of racing.
The Bahrain Endurance 13 Team
Javier Gomez Noya (ESP)
Sam Appleton (AUS)
Jodie Swallow (GBR)
Brent McMahon (CAN)
Luke Bell (AUS)
Caroline Steffen (SUI)
Joe Gambles (AUS)
Jan Frodeno (GER)
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)
Daniela Ryf (SUI)
Ben Hoffman (USA)
Sebastian Kienle (GER)
James Cunnama (RSA)
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. For further information on the team, visit – www.bahrainendurance13.com
Germany’s Kona champion Sebastian Kienle has joined the new Bahrain Endurance 13 triathlon squad, completing a very strong lineup that also includes reigning ITU world champion Javier Gomez and 70.3 world champ Daniela Ryf.
Team manager Chris McCormack says, “We tried to keep it a surprise to the end, but there’s no one else who could be a perfect fit on a team of superstars. He’s the current Ironman World Champion, two times Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Ironman Europe Champion, and the most lethal bike rider in the history of the sport.”
Kienle believes the Bahrain Endurance 13 is the strongest triathlon team ever, and wants to take part in making it the most successful as well. He states, “It is an honour to be part of this great group of athletes.
“I believe that the members of the team are great role models for others to start to have a more active lifestyle. I think there is great potential in the Middle East. I like the vision behind the team, and sport can do a lot of good things in the world.”
Kienle joins a team that has racked up great results this weekend to support the official launch. Sam Appleton won the Byron Bay Triathlon, while at Ironman 70.3 Mallorca Daniela Ryf scored an overall win and His Highness Shaikh Nasser finished 13th in his age category; both have qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship to be held in Austria.
At the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Vietnam, James Cunnama and Caroline Steffen stood atop the podium, while Terenzo Bozzone went three-for-three with another podium finish from three consecutive weekends of racing.
The Bahrain Endurance 13 Team
Javier Gomez Noya (ESP)
Sam Appleton (AUS)
Jodie Swallow (GBR)
Brent McMahon (CAN)
Luke Bell (AUS)
Caroline Steffen (SUI)
Joe Gambles (AUS)
Jan Frodeno (GER)
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)
Daniela Ryf (SUI)
Ben Hoffman (USA)
Sebastian Kienle (GER)
James Cunnama (RSA)
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. For further information on the team, visit – www.bahrainendurance13.com
British Triathlon has confirmed the eleven names to take part in the Rio 2016 triathlon test event taking place this August, with Tom Bishop and Aaron Harris the two final names to confirmed after a selection panel meeting last week.
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>>> Rio 2016 test events confirmed for August 2015
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee were assured of places in the men’s race by virtue of their international medal winning success, whilst Non Stanford, Helen Jenkins, Vicky Holland and Jodie Stimpson have earned their places on the women’s start list. Last weekend’s ETU European Cup in Antalya saw Mark Buckingham, Adam Bowden and India Lee meet the selection criteria.
British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell said: “The test event in Rio is the first of two assessment races this year that offer the opportunity to gain automatic nomination to the British Olympic Association for Rio 2016 selection. Athletes winning a medal in Rio, and at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago will be automatically put forward for selection.
“The emphasis at the test event, therefore, is to take athletes who have demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure, and to perform well on a course profile similar to what we are expecting in Rio. The test event is about individual performances, and the target is to get on the podium.”
The Rio test event will feature both triathlon and Paratriathlon during the weekend, 1-2 August. The races will start on Copacabana Beach.
Great Britain Triathlon Team selections, Rio test event, 1-2 August 2015, 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
Tom Bishop Adam Bowden Alistair Brownlee Jonathan Brownlee Mark Buckingham Aaron Harris Vicky Holland
Helen Jenkins India Lee Non Stanford Jodie Stimpson
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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
British Triathlon has confirmed the eleven names to take part in the Rio 2016 triathlon test event taking place this August, with Tom Bishop and Aaron Harris the two final names to confirmed after a selection panel meeting last week.
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>>> Rio 2016 test events confirmed for August 2015
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee were assured of places in the men’s race by virtue of their international medal winning success, whilst Non Stanford, Helen Jenkins, Vicky Holland and Jodie Stimpson have earned their places on the women’s start list. Last weekend’s ETU European Cup in Antalya saw Mark Buckingham, Adam Bowden and India Lee meet the selection criteria.
British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell said: “The test event in Rio is the first of two assessment races this year that offer the opportunity to gain automatic nomination to the British Olympic Association for Rio 2016 selection. Athletes winning a medal in Rio, and at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago will be automatically put forward for selection.
“The emphasis at the test event, therefore, is to take athletes who have demonstrated the ability to perform under pressure, and to perform well on a course profile similar to what we are expecting in Rio. The test event is about individual performances, and the target is to get on the podium.”
The Rio test event will feature both triathlon and Paratriathlon during the weekend, 1-2 August. The races will start on Copacabana Beach.
Great Britain Triathlon Team selections, Rio test event, 1-2 August 2015, 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
Tom Bishop Adam Bowden Alistair Brownlee Jonathan Brownlee Mark Buckingham Aaron Harris Vicky Holland
Helen Jenkins India Lee Non Stanford Jodie Stimpson
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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Racing Ironman 70.3 Staffs next month? You’ll be in rarified company, with Spain’s Javier Gomez the latest big name confirmed to take part on 14 June.
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>>> Ironman 70.3 Staffs training plan
As a multiple triathlon Champion, Gomez has not only accumulated one of the best records ever achieved in triathlon history but also proved that he is one of the world’s most versatile triathletes holding Championship titles across Olympic and middle distance triathlons.
As reigning and 4 time ITU World Champion, Ironman 70.3 World Champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist to name just a few, organisers are delighted to be welcoming Javier to Staffordshire for its inaugural race, which will form part of his journey to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Upon confirmation of his entry, Gomez said, “I’m excited to be racing at Staffordshire and am very much hoping to follow on from my success at the 70.3 World Championship. I enjoy non drafting races so am really looking forward to racing a 70.3 distance. Obviously a victory would be fantastic, but my preparation is not specifically for winning this race. It’ll be great to be part of this new event – it also has the added appeal of the weather not being too hot!”
Javier will join a 30-strong Pro field, including Australia’s Joe Gambles who will be returning to his birthplace of Staffordshire, Marko Albert from Estonia and 2014 70.3 UK Champion Will Clarke, who will be competing for the $25,000 prize fund, which is the largest ever prize purse for a 70.3 in the UK.
Gomez will be under starter’s orders amongst 2,700 athletes on Sunday 14 June. Attracting huge local support, this inaugural event has also attracted high profile names such as Gordon Ramsay, Danny Mills, Jonathan Ross and Charlie Webster to its entry list.
The event which takes places through the four districts and boroughs of Cannock Chase, Lichfield, East Staffordshire and Stafford will consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile run.
Places for individuals sold out in minutes, but entries are still available for athletes either through the event’s official charity partners or as a team relay.
Kids aged 3-14 can also be part of the action by entering the IRONKIDS run event on Saturday 13th September, the day before the main event. Distances vary from 500 metres to 2km according to age. For further information and entry on this fun focused event, please visit www.ironkids.co.uk
For more information go to www.ironman.com/staffordshire70.3.
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Are you racing Ironman 70.3 Staffs? Let us know in the comments below!
Racing Ironman 70.3 Staffs next month? You’ll be in rarified company, with Spain’s Javier Gomez the latest big name confirmed to take part on 14 June.
Advertisement
>>> Ironman 70.3 Staffs training plan
As a multiple triathlon Champion, Gomez has not only accumulated one of the best records ever achieved in triathlon history but also proved that he is one of the world’s most versatile triathletes holding Championship titles across Olympic and middle distance triathlons.
As reigning and 4 time ITU World Champion, Ironman 70.3 World Champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist to name just a few, organisers are delighted to be welcoming Javier to Staffordshire for its inaugural race, which will form part of his journey to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Upon confirmation of his entry, Gomez said, “I’m excited to be racing at Staffordshire and am very much hoping to follow on from my success at the 70.3 World Championship. I enjoy non drafting races so am really looking forward to racing a 70.3 distance. Obviously a victory would be fantastic, but my preparation is not specifically for winning this race. It’ll be great to be part of this new event – it also has the added appeal of the weather not being too hot!”
Javier will join a 30-strong Pro field, including Australia’s Joe Gambles who will be returning to his birthplace of Staffordshire, Marko Albert from Estonia and 2014 70.3 UK Champion Will Clarke, who will be competing for the $25,000 prize fund, which is the largest ever prize purse for a 70.3 in the UK.
Gomez will be under starter’s orders amongst 2,700 athletes on Sunday 14 June. Attracting huge local support, this inaugural event has also attracted high profile names such as Gordon Ramsay, Danny Mills, Jonathan Ross and Charlie Webster to its entry list.
The event which takes places through the four districts and boroughs of Cannock Chase, Lichfield, East Staffordshire and Stafford will consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile run.
Places for individuals sold out in minutes, but entries are still available for athletes either through the event’s official charity partners or as a team relay.
Kids aged 3-14 can also be part of the action by entering the IRONKIDS run event on Saturday 13th September, the day before the main event. Distances vary from 500 metres to 2km according to age. For further information and entry on this fun focused event, please visit www.ironkids.co.uk
For more information go to www.ironman.com/staffordshire70.3.
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Are you racing Ironman 70.3 Staffs? Let us know in the comments below!