The Brits raced within a few miles of the world’s tallest building, but failed to hit the heights after a day of struggles at Challenge Dubai.
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With the backdrop of the 830m Burj Khalifa, it was the women who fared best with the highest placing – a commendable fourth – returned by Jodie Swallow.
But that was still one spot shy of the podium she achieved three months ago in the sister-race in Bahrain and failed to meet her own high expectations after finishing the bike leg with only Daniela Ryf in front.
Leanda Cave put in a solid show on ‘home soil’ racing for the new Arab-backed Alameda o.n. Triathlon Team team and Alice Hector, at the start of just her second season back in triathlon, will have taken many lessons from finishing 13th in the half iron-distance contest she described as the ”biggest race of her life.”
It was on the men’s side where the real disappointment came. Joe Skipper was best-placed in 19th after picking up from a 26:07 swim to force his way through the field with a 2:07 bike split and 1:15 run, but was far from content with finishing almost 12mins behind race-winner Terenzo Bozzzone’s 3:41:45.
“I was 20 watts down on the bike and felt s*** the whole way,” he says. “On the run I didn’t even feel that good. Five minutes back was quite a lot out of the swim too, it’d normally be about 2 ½ minutes.
“I felt really unfit swim-wise and that took a lot out of me and I couldn’t hit my power numbers. In an Ironman I’m not swimming at the same intensity so I can bike more to my potential. Racing a half, I’m not fit enough in the water and it impacts the rest of the race.
“It’s just a shame to go home £500 down. You want to race the best people in the world, so do these races but even if I got 10th place I’d have only made £100.”
Skipper was followed in by David McNamee in 21st. The Scot couldn’t have picked a much tougher non-drafting debut after stepping out of the British Olympic programme at Christmas.
He shouldn’t see it as a disaster but after emerging from the water on the back of the front pack, he biked 2:15 on a borrowed time-trial bike against a race-best 2:02 before running through the field with a sharp 1:13 split to finish in 3:55:05, 1min 45 behind Skipper. He heads for the regional championship Ironman South Africa next as the baptism of fire away from lottery funding continues.
Probably winning a hard-fought contest for the most dejected though, was Will Clarke. “It was a really crap race, probably my worst ever,” admitted the 2008 Olympian with a frank assessment. “I can’t really complain about the swim, I found it hard but it was ok [Clarke led the second pack from the water, 56secs down on the leaders].
“I just had no power on the bike, I don’t think I passed anyone all day. I had 275 watts average, I can normally push 325, and on the run I just got round and took the workout.
“I think I came here too late and also it was the first race of the year. It’s different to do a hard swim and then ride 2 ½ hours hard and sometimes I think it takes a race to get your legs back. But, yes, I’m pretty disappointed, it’s horrendous. “
Ritchie Nicholls and Fraser Cartmell also struggled on the desert roads, but Nicholls should take some solace from an impressive 1:11 run split – the fastest of the day, and remarkable considering it still only placed him 34th. Cartmell, sporting a black eye, was 42nd and Jersey’s Dan Halksworth pulled the plug after feeling totally drained.
“I aimed for 340watts hit 260 and my heart-rate was at 180 with a max of 186, I just couldn’t get it down,” he said. “I just suffered the whole race on the bike and on the run had absolutely nothing left.
“I was burning too many matches. For my heart rate to get to 180 on the bike! I don’t hit that when I’m doing five-minute efforts. There’s something wrong. The doctor said there is a virus going round Dubai at the moment and he thinks I probably have something.
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“I wasn’t particularly well yesterday, but thought that was just nerves. I need to just get over it and do well in the next race.”
The official men’s results at Challenge Dubai have changed from the original finishing order because five of the leading triathletes were found to have cut the course, including the first three across the line.
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A four-minute penalty was handed down to the offenders with the upshot a reshuffled podium, but Terenzo Bozzone was still awarded the title and $65,000 first prize. Tim Reed moved from fourth to second and Michael Raelert slipped from the runner-up position to third.
Switzerland’s Manuel Kung dropped six places to ninth, with fifth-placed finisher Andy Potts and fellow US triathlete Ben Collins out of the prize money altogether in 12th and 15th.
It appeared something was amiss during the bike leg of the race when the ‘leader’ Denmark’s Martin Jensen (now officially awarded fifth) showed annoyance to a bike marshal after spotting triathletes placed ahead who hadn’t passed him on the road.
It became more apparent at the finish line with many of the professionals convinced the route hadn’t been adhered to, but the original podium of Bozzone, Raelert and Kung stood for the presentation ceremony before being altered for the official awards in the evening.
There is no suggestion any of the five triathletes tried to gain an advantage by deliberating cutting the course, with unconfirmed reports that they turned at an incorrect roundabout when following a motorbike outrider.
But under International Triathlon Union rules, which govern the Challenge races, an advantage gained by taking the wrong route should mean a disqualification.
We held our annual shindig the 220 Awards at Sandown Park last weekend, with hero cyclist Graeme ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Obree our guest speaker.
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Sponsored by sports nutrition brand Elivar, there were twenty categories in all, covering triathlon’s brightest athletes, brands and races from the past year. Our winners were voted for directly by you, our readers, right here on the 220 Triathlon website:
Race of the year (under 500 entries) – The Ilkley Triathlon Run shoe brand of the year – Asics Duathlete of the year – Emma Pooley Women’s age-grouper of the year – Kayleigh Adams (pictured above) Triathlon retailer of the year – TFN Men’s age-group triathlete of the year – Neil Eddy Innovative product of the year – Garmin 920XT Men’s paratriathlete of the year – Phil Hogg Youth triathlete of the year – Ben Dijkstra Online retailer of the year – Wiggle International triathlete of the year – Javier Gomez Women’s paratriathlete of the year – Lauren Steadman Triathlon wetsuit brand of the year – Huub Coach of the year – Simon Ward Bike brand of the year – Boardman Bikes Women’s elite triathlete of the year – Jodie Stimpson Race of the year (over 500 entries) – The Long Course Weekend Men’s elite triathlete of the year – Alistair Brownlee Club of the year – Leeds and Bradford Tri Club The Jane Tomlinson Award for outstanding contribution to triathlon – Iain Hamilton
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What do you think of this year’s winners? Let us know in the comments below!
British paratriathlete Rhiannon Henry made a stunning debut in South Africa last weekend with a gold in her first ever triathlon, as part of a GB team that picked up six superb medals at the 2015 Buffalo City ITU World Paratriathlon Event.
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Henry was competing in the women’s PT5 category (visually impaired), and finished nearly 5mins ahead of her teammate Melissa Reid, who took silver. Another gold was taken by Clare Cunningham, racing in the women’s PT4 category (impaired limb mobility), finishing nine minutes ahead of French athlete Gwladys Lemoussu.
Andy Lewis and Ryan Taylor won silver and bronze in the PT2 category (impaired limb mobility, less severe than PT4), and George Peasgood won an excellent silver medal in the PT4 category. Lewis races with a right leg running blade, whilst Taylor, 21, is a former member of the England cerebral palsy football team. Another youngster, Peasgood, is just 19 years old.
Full medals as follows:
Women’s PT4
1. Clare Cunningham, GBR, 1:17:38
Women’s PT5
1. Rhiannon Henry, GBR, 1:11:46 (guided by Nicole Walters) 2. Melissa Reid, GBR, 1:16:23 (guided by Grace France)
Men’s PT2
1. Stephane Bahier, FRA, 1:16:54 2. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:19:41 3. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:20:11
Men’s PT4
1. Yannick Bourseaux, FRA, 1:06:21 2. George Peasgood, GBR, 1:08:17
The GB British Paratriathlon squad will miss the next round of the Series in Australia and resume racing in the Series in Madrid in May. The team have Rio qualification firmly in their sights this year, with a great chance of performing well in all six paratri medal events confirmed for next year’s Olympics.
British paratriathletes enjoyed dazzling success at the ITU Grand Final in Edmonton, Canada last year, with the 13-strong squad collecting eight world championship medals including two golds, four silvers and two bronzes, spanning classes from PT1 to PT5.
With just a few months to go until the 25th Windsor Triathlon, organisers Human Race have confirmed a new swim route which is expected to be faster and offer athletes new PBs this year.
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The new start will be located further west, close to Windsor Leisure Centre. Unlike previous years the swim will now go with the current of the river for the first three quarters of the 1,500m section, sticking to the south bank.
Once participants reach Eton pedestrian bridge they will turn and that’s where the real test begins with the final several hundred metres being against the flow. Everybody exits at the traditional location where transition will remain.
The new swim route is as follows:
Small improvements will also be made to the bike and run sections, which are expected to be announced soon. A record number of people have already signed up for this year’s race, taking place on 14 June, and entries will close tomorrow (2 March) at 9pm. This year’s highlights include a ‘race with the stars’ wave, giving age-groupers the chance to line up with against top athletes including Emma Pallant and Stuart Hayes.
The Windsor Triathlon 25th Anniversary Dinner will be held at the Harte and Garter Hotel in Windsor the night before the race and will consist of a three course dinner along with options of wine and soft drinks. On each table will be one previous elite winner of Windsor Triathlon, including Spencer Smith, Emma Pallant, Stuart Hayes, and more.
To book your place at the historic 25th Windsor Triathlon or the special Anniversary Dinner, visit www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon.
The April 2015 issue of your favourite tri mag is on sale now, featuring a seven-page guide to conquering Ironman with Britain’s Kona hopeful Tim Don, an explainer of which tri gear really makes you faster, wetsuit buying guide and lots more.
After three packed days of seminar sessions, product demos, endless pool coaching, awards, sportives and a guest appearance from a Pussycat Doll, the 220 Triathlon Show closed its doors last Sunday for another 12 months.
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Let’s take a look at some of the highlights…
Exhibition
Seminars
Awards
Sportive
10K run
(Images: Dave Caudery)
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Did you go to this year’s 220 Triathlon Show? Let us know in the comments below!
The Bavarian city of Regensburg – one of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful – is to host a new Challenge Family long-distance triathlon in the summer of next year, finishing in the Cathedral Square of the Old Town.
The action will start on 14 August 2016 with a 3.8km swim in Lake Guggenberger, located just outside of town, followed by a 180km cycle through the Bavarian Forest Nature Reserve, finishing with a 42.2km run along the Danube before finishing in the centre of town.
With a 1,500m total elevation, the bike leg is sure to challenge athletes – the two climbs of significance are located around the 30km and 100km marks, and have a maximum elevation of around 600m. By comparison, Ironman Wales has a nearly identical total elevation of 1,530m but a maximum elevation of 174m, making the climbs much more spread out.
“Regensberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful and historic towns and I have no doubt it will attract athletes and their families from all over the world,” said Challenge CEO Zibi Szlufcik.
Ironman ran its own full-distance race in the Bavarian city from 2010 to 2012 but apparently struggled to find a workable date for the 2013 edition, and it hasn’t been run since.
For more information on the new Challenge race head to www.challenge-regensburg.org.
(Images: Ulrich Oestringer / Omnidom 999)
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Will you be entering Challenge Regensburg? Let us know in the comments below!
David Weir, a British paratriathlete with six Olympic golds to his name, has said that the new Para Tri Series being launched today by fellow Paralympian Sophia Warner is a “great opportunity” for disabled people to have fun and take part in triathlon.
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Speaking to broadcaster Chris Evans on the Radio 2 breakfast show this morning, Weir – described as one of the best athletes this country has ever produced – said the aim is to get disabled people into sport.
“That’s my dream as well, I want to see people get involved in sport. As a disabled athlete myself, when I started I just wanted to do some form of sport. I didn’t think I’d get to elite level and it was hard to find clubs that did that.”
We will be live on @BBCRadio2 with @achrisevans at 8.45am. Join us chatting about http://t.co/GLxmVzQPTG #active pic.twitter.com/HbgSYVxWW9
— Para Tri (@Para_Tri) March 4, 2015
The Para Tri Series will begin with a launch event at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic rowing venue Dorney Lake on Sunday 9 August. It was created last November by Paralympian Sophia Warner, and will offer five different paratriathlon events, ranging from a ‘Sprint Para Tri’ for beginners (150m swim/3km bike/1km run) up to ‘Full Para Tri’ (750m swim/20km bike/5km run).
Further information, including how to register for the inaugural event, is available at www.paratri.com, with regular updates available on Twitter and Facebook.
Weir also said on the Radio 2 breakfast show this morning that he’s committed himself to racing both the Boston Marathon (20 April) and London Marathon (26 April) this year.
“I thought why not give it a shot now because it’s Olympic year next year and I won’t be doing it then, I’ll be saving myself for Rio. There’s a great opportunity to try and win both marathons in a week.”
Weir has already won the London Marathon a stunning six times, taking 2012 gold with a time of 1:32:26 and equalling Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson’s record of six wins. He also placed on the podium 11 years in a row before a fifth-place finish in 2013. In 2014 he came a close second.
For more info on the new Para Tri Series head to www.paratri.com.
(Main image: Teecefamily)
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Will you be taking part in the new Para Tri Series? Let us know in the comments below!
How does it feel to be racing in the WTS for the first time?
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Exciting and a bit scary as well at the same time! I’m really lucky to train alongside Non and the rest of the athletes in Leeds. The chance to get on the start line with those girls is what you dream of every day when you wake up and it’s what you train for, so I can’t wait to start in Abu Dhabi!
Like I said it’s very nerve-wracking at the same time. I do get nervous, but I think that works in your favour because it gets the adrenaline going. But I think I will be very, very nervous for my first World Series race! But I’ve trained for it so know that hopefully I’ve got the fitness for it, so fingers crossed it will go ok.
What’s it like training in Leeds?
It’s amazing. We go away in the winter, but we all say you can’t get a better place to train than Leeds because you’ve got the cycling into the Dales, the swimming is great and the main thing is the team you’re training with. The girls all get on so well, we’re best friends as well which makes it so much easier when it’s raining and you don’t want to get out there – we’ll all get together and go and it makes things so much easier. Non’s one of my best friends and I get to train alongside her every day.
Tell us a bit about how you got into triathlon…
I did a lot of swimming and I crazily signed up to swim the channel when I was 18! I came to university in 2009 [Heather was studying to be a nurse] and I thought ‘I’m not going to make it as a swimmer’. I wasn’t good enough, so I thought I’d give triathlon a try. Four years down the line and I’m about to start my first ITU race – so it’s been fast! I didn’t start running properly until three years ago. I’ve come into the sport quite late but managed to adapt to it quite quickly which was good!
What can we expect to see from you? Is swimming still your strength?
I’d say the run is probably more my strength now. I seem to have over the last year seen my running come on quite a lot. It’s probably down to my coach as well as training alongside the best people in the world – you’re going to get better and better.
The swim’s – I’m not like Lucy Hall, going into a race knowing that she’s going to be at the front of the swim – I’m probably a similar standard to Non, knowing that we have to do our best swim in order to be in the front of the pack. But it’s not impossible. I’ll go into the race knowing I can make the front pack if I swim to the best of my ability.
On the bike, it’s a matter of holding on to the group! My biking is improving year on year, it’s just a case of getting the miles in, of doing the hard sessions on the bike. We’ve been going to York and doing a crit circuit – there’s no cars on the road so we can get some good miles in. It’s about working on that speed and acceleration too, about making us the best we can be really.
My first race will obviously be Abu Dhabi so that’s going to be amazing for me. Also I’d quite like to qualify for the Europeans, and there’s a new event this year which is the Baku European Games so I’ll hopefully qualify for that and do some European cups and try and podium at them. Hopefully I’ll get some more starts for the world series too, depending on how everyone is. There’s also a race in Rio this year – a test event for the Olympics – and they’re potentially taking six GB girls there so hopefully I can qualify for that too. The heat suits me.
Is there a distance you prefer?
On the run side I really like Olympic distance because I have one speed with running really and it’s quite a good speed – but it’s better over 10K whereas at 5K the girls go off so fast and I struggle! But I’m working on that.
We heard you like eating sweets…
I do allow myself to have sweets! We are very lucky in that the amount of training we do we can eat what we want really but you have to make sure you’re sensible, especially after a hard run when I’ll have a recovery drink or some milk to get the calcium in for my bones. Also on bike rides I do take carb drinks because you can be riding for three or four hours and you can forget to eat, but you’ll have your drink without thinking and get the right calories in.
We’re on the Orca product launch in Playitas. How do you find the new wetsuits?
The new wetsuit is really good. We’ve been testing them all week and the new Alpha is my preferred wetsuit because of the arms – they’re so flexible it’s like you haven’t got a suit on. It’s like swimming in a costume! So hopefully in some of the wetsuit swims I’ll be swimming to my best advantage with it on!
You were studying to be a nurse – what are your tips for time-crunched athletes?
I’ve taken a year out this year because it was quite hard. You have to find that balance – just be sensible. One of the main things athletes forget about is recovery and for us it’s like the fourth discipline. Without recovery you’re not going to gain anything from the hard sessions. Nutrition and rest!
See Heather racing in Abu Dhabi this Saturday live at 11am on http://triathlon.org/tv or repeated on the BBC red button at 12pm. The men’s race is live on the red button at 1pm. We’ll also be following both races online and via @220triathlon on Twitter.
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To read more about the Orca 2015 wetsuit launch go here.