With six of this year’s 10 World Triathlon Series races now done and dusted, we take a look at how the table stands – and how the Brits are faring.
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In the women’s Columbia Threadneedle Rankings, Gwen Jorgensen has built up 4000pts thanks to five wins in five races this season, her latest win being London just a few days ago.
Her nearest rivals are fellow American Katie Zaferes (3645pts) and New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt (2910pts), while fast-rising US athlete Sarah True is fourth with 2632pts. In fact, the Stars and Stripes have now earned 12 of the 18 women’s medals awarded in WTS races so far this season.
Jorgensen isn’t expected to race at the next three WTS races in Hamburg, Stockholm or Edmonton, instead saving her strength for the final in Chicago this September. This means Zaferes could win the series if she were to win the Grand Final and Jorgensen finishes outside the top five.
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The only Brit in the top-10 is Vicky Holland (1386pts), whose efforts earned her a win in Cape Town. Other Brits include 2013 world champ Non Stanford in 38th place with 567pts, Helen Jenkins in 43rd with 501pts, super swimmer Lucy Hall in 48th with 409pts, WTS debutante Emma Pallant in 49th with 397pts, and last year’s title contender Jodie Stimpson in 49th (230pts).
Special mention should go to Sophie Coldwell, who had a day to remember at her WTS initiation in London last weekend: she put in a strong swim and cycle to be among the lead group of seven going into T2, then blew through transition so fast she led all athletes onto the run, eventually finishing 27th. The final British lady is Jessica Learmonth, who’s in 81st position with 83pts.
1st – Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 4000
2nd – Katie Zaferes (USA) 3645
3rd – Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2910
4th – Sarah True (USA) 2632
5th – Barbara Riveros (CHI) 2100
6th – Aileen Reid (IRL) 2078
7th – Emma Moffat (AUS) 1710
8th – Vendula Frintova (CZE) 1414
9th – Lindsey Jerdonek (USA) 1387
10th – Vicky Holland (GBR) 1386
Biggest rankings mover: Katrien Verstuyft (BEL) – from 81st to 56th (265 points)
Highest new entry to rankings: Sophie Corbridge (NZL) – 51st (367 points)
Men’s standings
After his antics in London last weekend, Alistair Brownlee now has 2340pts and sits in fifth place – despite only having raced three times so far this season. Younger brother Jonny is in seventh place with 2186pts, thanks to his two wins (Gold Coast and Auckland) in four races so far. Jonny also took fifth in season opener Abu Dhabi, while a puncture in London meant he finished a disappointing 42nd.
Series leader to date is 2014 champ Javier Gomez (ESP) who has amassed 3507pts from five races – though has only won one of them (Yokohama), an unusually low strike rate by his standards. Spain’s Mario Mola (2979pts) and Fernando Alarza (2961pts) round out the top three. South Africa’s Richard Murray is also enjoying a strong season, sitting in fourth with 2340pts thanks to three top-five finishes (Gold Coast, Cape Town and London).
Other Brits include Adam Bowden in 20th position with 865pts, Mark Buckingham in 26th with 710pts, Gordon Benson in 47th with 374pts, Tom Bishop (who fought valiantly in London to tow Jonny Brownlee back into contention after his puncture) in 53rd place with 314pts, and Grant Sheldon in 98th position with 45pts.
1st – Javier Gomez Noya (ESP) 3507
2nd – Mario Mola (ESP) 2979
3rd – Fernando Alarza (ESP) 2961
4th – Richard Murray (RSA) 2490
5th – Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 2340
6th – Ryan Bailie (AUS) 2305
7th – Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 2186
8th – Vincent Luis (FRA) 2110
9th – Crisanto Grajales (MEX) 2015
10th – Sven Riederer (SUI) 1750
Biggest rankings mover: Dorian Coninx (FRA) – from 57th to 25th (739 points)
Highest new entry to rankings: Ryan Fisher (AUS) – 73rd (133 points)
The next stop on the World Triathlon Series is Hamburg, Germany on July 18th over the sprint distance, where Jodie Stimpson is expected to make her long-awaited return to the WTS circuit after injury. The full WTS calendar can be found here.
The full Columbia Threadneedle Rankings can be accessed here.
(Images: Ross Grieve / Dirty Green Trainers)
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Who do you think will win this year’s series? Let us know in the comments below!
Ever wanted to know what it takes to win the world Ironman title not once – but six times? Or how it feels to have coaching from one of the most respected names in the sport? Well, this is your chance.
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6x Ironman world champ Dave Scott will be visiting the UK next week on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th June 2015 and here at 220 Triathlon we have a limited number of places in the sessions below, arranged thanks to HUUB and Royles with Total Fitness.
Demand will be high, so if you are interested email [email protected] with your name, contact details and a list of the events you are interested in. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and are free of charge.
Session 1: Dave Scott, The Legend
Thursday 11th June, 8pm-10:30pm
The Great Northern, Station Road, Mickleover, Derby DE3 9FB
Every wondered how Dave Scott got started as a triathlete? Or what it really took to achive those six Ironman world titles? This your chance to find out… HUUB and 220 Triathlon will be hosting an informal evening with the triathlon legend as he talks you through his career as an athlete and a coach, with time to chat and ask him your questions over drinks afterwards!
Session 2: Swim Coaching with Dave Scott
Friday 12th June, 11am-12:30pm
Royles at Total Fitness, Wilmslow Way, Wilmslow SK9 3PE
Hone your swim technique in a coached session with Dave Scott at one of the UK’s premier fitness complexes. Hosted by Royles, one of the UK’s leading multisport retailers, we’ll have lanes available for a limited number of 220 readers to have group tuition from Dave in which he’ll help you work on your technique and answer questions on all things open-water related, from how to draft effectively to how to adapt your stroke for the rigours of Ironman. Bring your swim kit!
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Session 3: Strength and Conditioning for Tri, with Dave Scott
Friday 12th June, 2pm-4pm
Royles at Total Fitness, Wilmslow Way, Wilmslow SK9 3PE
Do you make the best of your time in the gym, or are you guilty of focussing on swim, bike and run and not gaining the performance benefits of regular strength and conditioning? One of the first athletes to truly understand the link between regular, targeted gym work and endurance racing, here Dave Scott shares his years of experience and takes you through the session he would recommend to triathletes. You’ll need to bring gym kit and trainers.
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Session 4: Dave Scott, The Legend
Friday 12th June, 6:30-8:30pm
Royles at Total Fitness, Wilmslow Way, Wilmslow SK9 3PE
For those who missed out the previous evening, or weren’t able to make it to Derby, this is a second chance to hear Dave talk about his career as one of the world’s finest triathletes and coaches. Again, there’ll be time afterwards to ask Dave your questions about Ironman, how he trained to be the best in the world and what age-group athletes can learn from his advice.
Big names including Australia’s Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae and Britain’s Leanda Cave are confirmed to race the 35th Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon this weekend.
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>>> Olympians dominate Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon 2014
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This year, 2,000 participants will embark on a 2.4km open-water swim from the infamous penitentiary of Alcatraz Island to the shoreline of Marina Green followed by a 29km hilly bike ride through the Presidio, finishing with a 12.8km trail run out to Baker Beach and up the infamous Sand Ladder.
“This race is near and dear to my heart and I am really excited to return and compete this year,” said USAT Hall of Famer and 1989 Escape from Alcatraz Champion Scott Tinley. “The 35-year history of this gritty, fun course is fascinating. I remember when it originally included a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge to Mill Valley and a Double Dipsea trail run. It was amazing then and still is today.”
Pro athlete line-up
Men
Josh Amberger (AUS)
Kevin Collington (USA)
Cameron Dye (USA)
Ben Hoffman (USA)
Andy Potts (USA)
Matt Reed (USA)
Drew Scott (USA)
Scott Tinley (USA)
Women
Mirinda Carfrae (AUS)
Leanda Cave (GBR)
Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
Lauren Goss (USA)
Key info
Live streaming coverage will be available on EscapeFromAlcatrazTriathlon.com, and will include expert commentary and insight from nine locations along the race course, along with new tracking technology and live camera angles that allow fans the ability to see exactly where their favourite pros are during all three legs of the event.
The race will take place on Sunday 7 June at 7:30am local time (3.30pm UK time) – for more info head to www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com or follow the Twitter hashtag #escapealcatraztri.
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Will you be racing Escape from Alcatraz? Let us know in the comments below!
The first Ironman 70.3 Staffs has drawn some top pros to Shugborough next weekend, but there will also be an army of age-groupers out on the course – we take a look at some of the contenders…
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>>> Javier Gomez to race Ironman 70.3 Staffs
Men’s race
Pros
The star of the show will undoubtedly be reigning 70.3 world champ Javier Gomez (ESP), who’s also currently leading the World Triathlon Series points race.
His rivals on Sunday 14 June will include Wimbleball champ Will Clarke (GBR) and Estonion triathlete Marko Albert, a veteran of two Olympic games (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008).
Age-groupers
In the men’s 30-34 category, our 2014 Coach of the Year and two-time age-group world champion Nick Dunn will be a tough nut to crack. His rivals will include Will Usher, a former national level swimmer and runner who’s been coaching chef Gordon Ramsay (M45-49) for this same race.
The men’s 35-39 grouping includes Jason Walkley, ranked as a Gold All-World Ironman athlete and 2015 World 70.3 age-group qualifier, and Oliver Simon, who won the Ocean Lava Triathlon Wales last year and also finished 11th overall at Ironman Sweden with a time of 8:58hrs.
Women’s race
Pros
A number of top British women will be lining up on Sunday 14th: recent Ironman South Africa medallists Lucy Gossage and Susie Cheetham; Nikki Bartlett, who came second at Challenge Weymouth Half last year, and Eleanor Haresign, who won the full Challenge Weymouth race; Team Dassi athlete Georgie Rutherford; top Xterra racer Jacqui Slack; and last year’s Bastion winner Alice Hector.
Alice Hector wins The Bastion
Age-groupers
Out of the age-groupers, we’re expecting a strong performance from Claire Hann (F30-34), who came second in the World Age-Group Champs in London in 2013, and won the European AG Champs in Alanya, Turkey in 2013.
Claire Hann
Pushing hard for victory in the F35-39 category meanwhile will be Bethan Hughes, who came second in last year’s British Standard Distance Championships.
Ironman 70.3 Staffs will be taking place on Sunday 14 June through the four districts and boroughs of Cannock Chase, Lichfield, East Staffordshire and Stafford. It consists of a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 22.1km run, finishing at Shugborough country estate. For the full start lists head here.
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220 Triathlon will be on the ground throughout the race, covering all the action on Twitter and sharing the results on 220triathlon.com.
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Are you racing Ironman 70.3 Staffs? Let us know in the comments below!
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After decades on his bucket list, Eric Lagerstrom (USA) finally took part in iconic race Escape from Alcatraz off the coast of San Francisco yesterday (Sunday 7 June) – and won.
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The women’s pro race was also won by a debutante – Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle, more often seen racing the ITU World Triathlon Series, who won silver at WTS Yokohama last month behind Gwen Jorgensen (USA) in one of her career-best performances.
More than 2,000 athletes took part in this year’s race, starting with a 2.4km open-water swim from the infamous penitentiary of Alcatraz Island to the shoreline of Marina Green, followed by a 29km hilly bike ride through the Presidio, and finishing with a 12.8km trail run out to Baker Beach and up the infamous Sand Ladder.
It’s getting real on the Hornblower! 25 min until everyone abandons ship! @EscapeAlcatraz pic.twitter.com/iW1UeRoqYA
— Timothy O’Donnell (@TOinTRI) June 7, 2015
Both winners were pushed hard right to the end though: Lagerstrom managed to pull ahead of 2013 winner Andy Potts (USA) just before the finish line and winning by just two seconds, while Gentle crossed the line just 15secs ahead of second-placed Lauren Goss (USA).
“I have been racing since I was 12 years old and this race has always been a bucket list race for me,” said Lagerstrom, 25. “This is a dream come true to win the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon my first time competing.
“This course with the swim from Alcatraz Island and the deep sand run with sand steps was like nothing I have ever experienced before. Running down the finish line neck and neck with six-time champion Andy Potts and the thousands of spectators cheering was so cool.”
.@EscapeAlcatraz …certainly a race like no other!! Honoured to take the win at the 35th Anniversary event 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Jp3iT7ySfh
— Ashleigh Gentle (@AshleighGentle) June 8, 2015
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Men’s race
1. Eric Lagerstrom (USA) 2:02:06
2. Andy Potts (USA) 2:02:08
3. Kevin Collington (USA) 2:02:40
Women’s race
1. Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) 2:13:43
2. Lauren Goss (USA) 2:13:58
3. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 2:15:32
For the full results head here.
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Did you race this year’s Escape from Alcatraz? Let us know in the comments below!
Germany’s Ironman world champion Sebastian Kienle won on home soil yesterday, while Britain’s David McNamee managed to secure bronze at Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau.
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German Jens Roth exited the water at the Lake Hardtsee in 24:05mins, nine seconds ahead of the strong swimmer Andreas Boecherer. Kienle was in 10th place and left the water in 24:27mins, lost some time in transition, but then hammered his way back to the front on the hilly bike course.
Boecherer made an early and decisive move but struggled a bit on the run, while Kienle managed to ignore the high temperatures and hard bike ride. After an impressive bike split of 2:08:45 he ran a 1:15:26 half marathon to take a superb win ahead of Boecherer and strong runner McNamee.
Men’s podium (left to right): Andy Boecherer, Sebastian Kienle, David McNamee
Women
The women’s race was also decided on the bike: Camilla Pedersen (DEN) and Anja Beranek (GER) escaped from a group of four leaders after the swim to nail down a gap for the run, knowing that Germany’s Julia Gajer is always a superb runner.
Beranek had the best bike split in 2:30:07 and reached T2 together with Pedersen, but the race was still very close when it came down to run. Gajer was only 2:06mins behind starting into the run, but she could already feel the heat.
She was able to pass Beranek for second place, but Pedersen had a steady run pace and kept the advantage on her side to take a great win. Through 18km, Beranek got passed by her fellow countrywoman Svenja Bazlen.
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Julia Gajer on the bike at Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau
Top 5 men
1. Kienle, Sebastian (GER): 3:51:56
2. Boecherer, Andy (GER): 3:58:06
3. McNamee, David (GBR): 4:00:25
4. Costes, Antony (FRA): 4:01:18
5. Lange, Patrick (GER): 4:02:42
Top 5 women
1. Pedersen, Camilla (DEN): 4:24:56
2. Gajer, Julia (GER): 4:27:16
3. Bazlen, Svenja (GER): 4:29:14
4. Beranek, Anja (GER): 4:30:40
5. Philipp, Laura (GER): 4:32:40
For full results head here.
(Images: Ironman Europe)
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Did you race Ironman 70.3 Kraichgau? Let us know in the comments below!
With more than 90 iron-distance triathlons in the bank, British age-grouper Anthony Gerundini is gunning to break the 100 mark – and hopes to do it with The Bastion at Hever Castle Triathlon next month.
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Gerundini, 46, has won some famously tough races in the past few years including the Double Brutal in north Wales last year and the Deca-Enduroman back in 2012. He managed sixth at The Bastion last year, crossing the line in 11:44:09.
“If all goes to plan, I hope to get to 100 at The Bastion triathlon,” he says. “I have currently done 91 so have eight to do between now and the 12th July but will be competing in an event where I will do five in five days, plus three others, so I should get there.
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“I loved The Bastion, it is just ace and would recommend it to anyone. I did it in 2014 and loved the course, the atmosphere and the personal attention that everyone receives.”
The Bastion starts with a 3.8km swim from the Italianate loggia down the length of the main lake before passing the Japanese tea house and heading into the scenic river section.
Athletes then tackle a 180km three-loop bike course with around 2,000 metres of ascent, finishing with a four-lap run route which is mainly off-road and finishes in front of the Hever Castle drawbridge.
For more info on this year’s race and to enter, head here.
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Will you be racing The Bastion? Let us know in the comments below!
Challenge is planning to launch a new flagship race in Galway, Ireland in June 2016, featuring a range of distances and formats including full, half, women-only and kids’ races.
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Challenge Galway will take place on 24-26 June in a UNESCO Global Geopark, and two-time Ironman world champion Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack has already signed up. Sound good? You can pre-register from today (8 June) 2015, and entries will open on 21 June 2015.
Challenge Family CEO Zibi Szlufcik says the new race “captures the true essence of Ireland, and the bike course in particular is absolutely spectacular”.
McCormack added: ““It’s exciting we finally have one there [Challenge event] in Galway in June 2016. I’ve never raced a triathlon in Ireland, so this is a great excuse for me to head up there and have a race!”
For more info head to www.challenge-galway.eu
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Will you be entering Challenge Galway? Let us know in the comments below!
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Two new Ironman 70.3 races have been announced for the Middle East: Bahrain will host the 70.3 Middle East Championship this December, and Dubai will host a middle-distance triathlon in early 2016.
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Bahrain will offer 40 age-group qualification slots for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Australia, while Dubai will offer 30 spots.
“We are delighted to be able to establish Ironman 70.3 races in the Gulf region that is an emerging hotbed for triathlon,” said Andrew Messick, CEO of Ironman. “Besides having passionate triathletes, Bahrain and Dubai have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to host great events. We are looking forward to working with our partners to create some of the greatest races in the world — with the hope of expanding in this region.”
The race in Bahrain will be a point-to-point triathlon which passes some of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s most significant attractions, including Al Fateh Grand Mosque, the Bahrain Bay and F1 Bahrain International Circuit.
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Challenge Family did launch their own middle-distance races in Bahrain and Dubai last year as part of the Nasser bin Hamad Triple Crown. Ironman spokesperson tells 220 however that the races announced today are “entirely new events created and run by Ironman”.
More details as soon as we have them…
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What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Challenge Bahrain is set to take place on 20 November 2015 as the Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown Grand Final – with the winners to become triathlon’s first instant millionaires.
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This year’s race will also be the ‘world’s first half-distance night triathlon’, according to the organisers. The swim will take place as the sun sets over Bahrain’s spectacular skyline, and the athletes will complete the bike and run in the dark along a well-lit course.
“We are delighted to announce Challenge Bahrain 2015 under the direction of new general manager, Mikel Calahorra,” said Challenge Family CEO, Zibi Szlufcik.
“We have no doubt that Challenge Bahrain will again set new standards for triathlon with its exciting night race format and we very much look forward to returning to this spectacular nation.”
Helle Frederiksen wins Challenge Bahrain 2015
Some of the world’s top triathletes are expected to be racing this November, including current 70.3 world champion Daniela Ryf (GER) and this year’s Challenge Dubai winner Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), along with more than 1,000 age-groupers. Last year’s Challenge Bahrain was won by Helle Frederiksen (DEN) and Michael Raelert (GER).
Entries will open this Thursday (11 June) at an early-bird special rate of $280 for individual athletes. For more info head to www.challenge-bahrain.com.
This news follows hard on the heels of Ironman’s announcement yesterday that it will host the 70.3 Middle East Championship in Bahrain this December, and a new 70.3 race in Dubai in early 2016.
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Will you be entering Challenge Bahrain? Let us know in the comments below!
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