A small group of British paratriathletes had a weekend to remember at the ITU World Paratriathlon Event in Detroit, USA yesterday (17 August), with two golds and two silvers in the bag.
Advertisement
>>> Three more paratriathlon medal events for Rio
Ryan Taylor won gold in the PT2 category, finishing just over a minute ahead of second-place finisher Andy Lewis (GBR). George Peasgood won silver in the PT4 category, and Stefan Hoggan finished sixth.
good to b back home 4 easy couple of days,great results from all GB athletes always learning from every1 around me at training good weekend
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTay93) August 17, 2015
On the women’s side, Clare Cunningham picked up gold in the PT4 category – her third ITU medal for 2015, having won the Buffalo City ITU World Paratriathlon event last March and picked up silver in London.
“Happy days!!!” We all raced well here, great success! @BritTri @TriClare @RyanTay93 @Bladerunnerandy @stefanhoggan pic.twitter.com/nUURqTQoZE
— George Peasgood (@george_peasgood) August 16, 2015
Detroit ITU World Paratriathlon Event: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Men’s PT2
1. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:05:32
2. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:06:51
3. Lionel Morales, ESP, 1:07:45
Men’s PT4
1. Chris Hammer, USA, 56:58
2. George Peasgood, GBR, 58:10
3. José Abraham Estrada Sierra, MEX, 58:42
6. Stefan Hoggan, GBR, 1:02:01
Advertisement
Women’s PT4
1. Clare Cunningham, GBR, 1:06:07
2. Grace Norman, USA, 1:07:15
3. Kate Doughty, AUS, 1:08:59
Click Here: Cheap France Rugby Jersey
With Kona fast approaching, Britain’s Rachel Joyce picked Ironman 70.3 Timberman in New England, USA to get in some race practice before the ‘big dance’ in Hawaii – and left others in her wake with some speedy splits.
Advertisement
>>> Kona 2014: how the British pros got on in Hawaii
As expected, Joyce led the women out of lake Winnipesaukee in a time of 27:19mins, with Katy Blakemore (USA) hot on her heels. Behind them, Kaitlin Anelauskas (USA), Jeanni Seymour (RSA), and Kristen Marchant (CAN) exited the water in a pack 1:10mins back.
Pre-race favourite Angela Naeth (CAN) left the water 1:25mins back of the leader in seventh, with Heather Jackson (USA) 2:28mins back at the head of a chase pack.
Super-bikers Naeth and Jackson made their mark early on, and by the half-way point, Naeth had taken the lead of the race just ahead of Joyce, who’s no slouch in any of the three disciplines, and Jackson. Jackson passed Joyce late in the race and entered T2 second.
Disappointed to get my first ever drafting penalty and that it was from a pro male. #fairstarts @triequal
— Rachel Joyce (@RJoyce09) August 16, 2015
Click Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head hoodie
Naeth followed up her race-best bike (2:18:26) with a solid run to hold onto first with a winning margin of 4:27mins over Jackson—who had only a slightly slower run—and 8:52mins over Joyce, whose swim and run splits were both the fastest on the day. Naeth’s winning time was 4:16:14.
Potts battles Dye for the win
Recent Ironman Coeur d’Alene winner Andy Potts continued a strong season today with a win in New Hampshire’s classic race. The American was fifth out of the water in a steady stream of athletes spaced out by 10-second intervals behind swim leader Dylan McNeice (NZL). That lead pack also contained short-course specialist Cam Dye (USA), Tim O’Donnell (USA) and Jake Montgomery (AUS).
Once on the bike, Dye – who would go on to clock a race-best bike split of 2:06:06 – powered to the front, with O’Donnell, Montgomery, Potts, and Paul Matthews holding steady behind him. Behind them, somewhat weaker swimmers Leon Griffin (AUS) and Trevor Wurtele (CAN) began to put a dent in.
As the bike progressed, Dye sped away to enter T2 three minutes ahead of the chase pack, which included Potts, O’Donnell, and Montgomery. Two minutes behind them McNeice soloed his way into transition, with Wurtele, Griffin, and Taylor Reid (CAN) two minutes back of McNeice and seven minutes behind the leader.
Happy with the day, executed my plan, just beaten by faster boys! https://t.co/k6J4PYn5SL
— Cameron Dye (@camdyetri) August 16, 2015
With a race-best run of 1:15:30, Potts began to dig into Dye, and ultimately crossed the finish line first in a time of 3:50:24.
(Main image: Ironman)
Advertisement
Were you racing in New England? Let us know in the comments below!
Get ready for some swearing, Hawaii – it looks like Gordon Ramsay is making a return to Big Island for this year’s Ironman World Champs.
Advertisement
>>> Gordon Ramsay: The adrenaline ‘never stops’ at Ironman 70.3
The ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ star raced Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens on Saturday (15 August) and posted a sub-6hr time with splits of 42:11mins for the 1.9km swim, 3:06hrs for the bike and 1:51hrs for the run.
Lake Stevens 70.3 IRONMAN….Done ! http://t.co/FQBr2rPMtp
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) August 16, 2015
Asked by Ironman afterwards if he’s working on anything specific in preparation for Kona, Ramsay said: “I’d say efficient riding and climbing to help with smooth power output.”
He added that at this year’s Kona, he wants to “improve on the bike and improve on the run without any hamstring issues”.
Advertisement
Ramsay finished Kona 2013 in a time of 14:04:48, but injury woes scuppered his plans to take part last year. More recently, he raced Ironman 703. Staffordshire, finishing in a time of 5:53:49 as part of his GR100 squad.
Click Here: New Zealand Rugby Shop
General entries for next year’s World Triathlon Series event in Leeds went on sale at 9am this morning (Tuesday 18 August) – and they’re going to sell like hotcakes, say the organisers.
Click Here: Boca Juniors soccer tracksuit
Advertisement
>>> Leeds lands 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series event
Over 1,500 entries have already been sold to Home Nation members during a priority entry window, and more than 3,500 spots are now available to the general public across the beginner, sprint and Olympic distance events.
The event will mark the final chance to see Britain’s elite triathletes compete against their international rivals on home soil before they head off to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The point-to-point course begins with a swim in Roundhay Park, followed by a bike leg in and around Leeds city centre, finishing with a testing run course also in the city centre.
(Image: Ross Grieve / Dirty Green Trainer)
Olympic champ Alistair Brownlee said: “Competing in my home city of Leeds is going to be one of the highlights of next year, not just for me, but for every elite athlete or amateur competitor who comes to Yorkshire next June.”
Entries for the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds can be made via the official event website, and there is early bird pricing until 31st October.
Advertisement
Will you be entering WTS Leeds? Let us know in the comments below!
Want a new long-distance challenge next year? General entries for The Bastion 2016 went on sale this morning, offering athletes the chance to race around the iconic backdrop of Hever Castle in Kent, with 25% off for those who enter early.
Advertisement
>>> 2015 Bastion winners crowned at Hever Castle
The Bastion will take place on 10th July 2016 and begins with a 3.8km unique swim at the Italianate loggia in Hever Castle, taking competitors down the length of the main lake before passing the Japanese teahouse and heading into a scenic river section.
The 180km three-loop bike course represents one of the toughest iron-distance routes on offer in the UK, with around 2,800m of ascent covering ‘areas of outstanding beauty’ in the High Weald area of Kent, before passing through Hartfield and over the Ashdown Forest.
The marathon covers a four lap run route mainly an off road trail run, circumnavigating the two stunning estates of Hever Castle and Chiddingstone Castle before an iconic finish in front of the Hever Castle drawbridge that once gave passage to King Henry VIII.
Click Here: vans shop
An amazing, unforgettable experience
Athletes are treated to an amazing event village to top off the whole experience, with live bands playing throughout the day, a climbing wall, archery, catering, bike support and more. You’ll cross the finish line in front of Hever Castle with a medal, T-shirt and memories that will last a lifetime.
Last year’s event was won by pro triathletes Darren Jenkins and Bethan Fowler, whilst behind them came hundreds of amateur triathletes with their own stories of courage and endeavour. Amongst them was Anthony Gerundini, who was completing his 100th iron-distance triathlon, whilst many had chosen The Bastion as their first time at attempting what many consider the ‘toughest one-day physical challenge’ in the world – drawn by the amazing athlete support and welcoming atmosphere present at all Castle Triathlon Series races.
In addition to the iron-distance triathlon, the event will also run concurrently a long distance aquabike and open water swim events – providing the ultimate long course supported training experience with all the atmosphere of a major triathlon running at the same time.
Enter here for another amazing Bastion Triathlon at Hever Castle on the 10th July 2015.
Advertisement
Will you be entering The Bastion next year? Let us know in the comments below!
The new issue of 220 Triathlon magazine went on sale today, and this month we’re all about the future – like our cover star Ben Dijkstra, one of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming triathletes.
Advertisement
Also in this month’s issue:
Secrets of Ironman success: boost your physical and mental endurance
Smash your A-race: beginners’ training plan, master the 21km run, how to beat fatigue
Brunt vs Isoman: our Weekend Warrior shares his racing woes
Big helmets grouptest: 10 aero lids rated for race day
Orbea Ordu triathlon bike first ride
PLUS wetsuit giveaway: win a Blueseventy kit package worth £780
Martyn Brunt swimming 7 miles for the IsoMan (Image: Ian Cook / Dirty Green Trainers)
Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.
Advertisement
Bonus digital content includes: watch cover star Ben Dijkstra win the Youth Olympic Games; view race highlights from this year’s Engadin Swimrun; see eight-year-old Bailey Matthews complete the Castle Howard Triathlon.
Click Here: qld maroons rugby store
With three races left on the 2015 WTS calendar, Stockholm will see some tough points battles this weekend – Spanish trio Javier Gomez, Mario Mola and Fernando Alarza are all racing, and in the women’s race Sarah True and Katie Zaferes (USA) will face stiff competition from Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig.
Advertisement
This year’s race (map here) will feature a new swim start and two transitions, and this year returns to Olympic distance (1.5km swim/40km bike/10km run) – but the cobblestones will remain. Let’s hope the weather’s better than last year too.
Women’s preview
The peerless Gwen Jorgensen is sitting this one out, meaning compatriots True and Katie Zaferes have the opportunity to score valuable points on Saturday (22nd August) that could narrow their gap in the title race.
All-American women’s podium at WTS Gold Coast 2015
Zaferes has racked up five podium finishes this year and sits just 355 points behind Jorgensen. True has scored two podium finishes this year and rounds out the top-three in the title chase.
There are just two British women racing in Stockholm on Saturday – Jessica Learmonth, who’s enjoying a fine first WTS season having led out of the swim at WTS Auckland, and India Lee who recently won the Windsor Triathlon and came 49th at the Rio 2016 test event.
Other podium threats include fourth-ranked Andrea Hewitt (NZL), who finished second to True at last year’s event, and reigning Olympic champion Nicola Spirig (SUI), who’s raced just one WTS event this year – claiming bronze in Cape Town. Spirig has since earned her spot in Rio with a win at the Baku European Games and the European Championships. Full start list here.
The women’s race will be contested at 12:25pm local time (11:25 UK time) on Saturday 22nd August. UK viewers can watch the action live on BT Sport (£), and online at triathlonlive.tv (£). Highlights are on BBC Two on Sunday 23rd at 5:15pm.
Last year’s uphill transition at WTS Stockholm
Men’s preview
Series points leader Javier Gomez (ESP) is undoubtedly the man to beat on Sunday (23 August) – both Brownlees being absent – but Mola is just 331 points behind his compatriot, and already has four podium finishes to his name this season.
A win in Sweden would put Mola top of the leaderboard if Gomez doesn’t finish in the top two. Fernando Alarza sits third in the series points race, and will push hard for more.
Matthew Sharp is the sole Brit racing – his top results so far this year include ninth at the ETU European Champs in Geneva, and fourth at the Quarteira ETU Triathlon European Cup event.
Both Brownlees are missing Stockholm this year
Australia’s Aaron Royle could be a podium threat and had a superb race at the Rio 2016 test event recently, while fellow Aussie Ryan Bailie is also enjoying a strong run after a career-WTS high fourth-place finish in London.
While Vincent Luis is off the start list in Stockholm, France is emerging as the latest nation to rival the Brits and Spaniards. There will be no shortage of French talent in Stockholm come Sunday in Anthony Pujades, Aurelien Raphael and Simon Viain.
All three men will likely emerge from the wetsuit-required water out front, along with the Russian team and South African Henri Schoeman. Their challenge, of course, will be holding off speedy runners such as Mola, Joao Pereira and Joao Silva. For the complete start list, head here.
The men’s race will be contested at 15:36pm local time (14:36 UK time) on Sunday 23rd August. UK viewers can watch the action live on BBC Two, and online at triathlonlive.tv (£).
(Images: Janos Schmidt / Delly Carr / ITU)
Advertisement
Who do you think will win WTS Stockholm? Let us know in the comments below!
Click Here: gws giants guernsey 2019
Like a challenge? Entries for The Legend Triathlon have just opened – a new single-lap iron-distance race around Snowdonia National Park, taking place on Sunday 10 July.
Advertisement
Billed as the UK’s friendliest, toughest and most beautiful single lap iron distance triathlon, it will start and finish in Llanberis and send athletes through ‘mind-blowing scenery, flawless tarmac and a number of iconic climbs’, according to the organisers.
Those climbs will include Bwlch maesgwm, Pen-y-Pass and the infamous Dinorwig Quarries. The run stage comprises of a full-length mixed terrain marathon set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, then brings athletes back to Llanberis to finish.
“The interest this event has already had is incredible,” said event manager Rob Samuel. “We had over 750 people pre-register for the event, and with only 500 places up for grabs I fully expect The Legend to quickly become a sell-out event. Therefore, anyone who is thinking of entering I would advise them to do it now before it’s too late!”
For more info and to book your place, head to www.thelegendtriathlon.com.
Advertisement
Will you be entering The Legend? Let us know in the comments below!
Click Here: Inter soccer tracksuit
It’s the final countdown to this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Champs, and defending champions Javier Gomez (ESP) and Daniela Ryf (SUI) will have a tough race on their hands in Austria next weekend (30 August).
Advertisement
>>> Javier Gomez, Daniela Ryf win Ironman 70.3 World Champs in Mont-Tremblant
>>> Free Ironman 70.3 training plans
This will be the first time Europe has hosted what many see as the pinnacle of middle-distance racing (1.9km swim/90km bike/21.1km run) – last year’s race took place in Mont-Tremblant, Canada, and it has previously always taken place in the US.
Click Here: Cheap Converse Chuck 70 Shoes
Since the series began in 2006, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship has been controlled by Australia (five champions), Germany (four champions) and Great Britain (three champions). The United States has had two winners with Canada and New Zealand each having one winner.
Men’s race
Gomez lines up against some tough Germans, including reigning king of Kona Sebastian Kienle, Beijing 2008 gold medalist Jan Frodeno and last year’s Challenge Bahrain winner Michael Raelert.
Also in the mix will be Australia’s Tim Reed, Belgium’s Bart Aernouts from Uplace-BMC and Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), who won Challenge Dubai earlier this year. Two Brits are on the men’s start list: Tim Don and Ritchie Nicholls.
Women’s race
While Ryf is undoubtedly favourite for the women’s race, no fewer than five Brits will be trying to stop her: Jodie Swallow, who must fancy her chances of winning after coming second in Mont-Tremblant last year, along with Susie Cheetham, Parys Edwards, Emma-Kate Lidbury and Holly Lawrence.
Other speedy females will include Meredith Kessler (USA), Heather Wurtele (CAN), Camilla Pedersen and Mary Beth Ellis (USA). For the complete start list, head here.
Age-groupers
That’s not all though – with 2,700 athletes expected to race in Zell am See-Kaprun, the vast majority will be age-groupers. Around 130,000 athletes race 70.3 around the world each year, so just getting to the start line is a huge achievement.
The United States will supply the most (629 registered competitors), followed by Germany (308), Australia (237) and Great Britain (214). Other athletes from countries as far as Macau, Vietnam and Guam are traveling around the globe for their shot at the title.
The 2015 Ironman 70.3 World Championship can be viewed race day on www.ironman.com, and 220 Triathlon will be right there on race day to bring you live coverage on Twitter and race reports on 220triathlon.com.
(Images: Expa/Ironman)
Advertisement
Are you racing in Austria next weekend? Let us know in the comments below!
Heard about London’s ‘sky pool’ yet? Basically a regular 25m swimming pool suspended between two apartment blocks 10 storeys up, it will form part of a new development near the former Battersea power station.
Advertisement
It’s expected to be ready for action in 2018, and will be entirely transparent and structure free – the only thing stopping all that water from plummeting to Earth will be 20cm of glass.
Not sure if we’d be brave enough to ‘float through the air in central London’ like the developers promise, we decided to take a look at the rest of the world’s biggest, most beautiful and most unusual pools:
Shangri-la Shard, London
There are plenty of height-based superlatives to enjoy atop Europe’s tallest tower, not least for triathletes the continent’s highest swimming pool – 52 stories high. Be grateful it’s not suspended in mid-air…
(Image: Shangri-la Shard)
The Crystal Lagoon, Chile
The city of Algarrobo is home to the world’s largest swimming pool, over 1km long and holding 66m gallons of seawater – equivalent to 6,000 ‘normal’ pools. No need to perfect your tumble turns here.
(Image: Stewart Cook / Rex USA)
Badeschiff, Berlin
Those clever Berliners – they took an old cargo ship and turned it into the city’s only floating swimming pool, complete with heating, roof and sauna. Sehr gut.
(Image: Marcus Grbac)
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Out of this world – this pool is warmed naturally by a nearby lava flow, and is said to have healing properties thanks to an abundance of minerals. It’s a bit warm though at 37°-39°C, so maybe not ideal for strenuous swim sets.
(Image: iStockPhoto)
Ocean Dome, Japan
No rival for Chile’s Crystal Lagoon, but until its closure in 2007 this held the title of world’s largest indoor pool – 300m long and 100m wide. Party tricks included a retractable roof painted like a beautiful blue sky to give the impression you’re, y’know, outside.
(Image: Max Smith)
Tropical Island Resort, Germany
With the Ocean Dome’s doors shut, that leaves Tropical Island Resort south of Berlin to claim the title of world’s largest indoor pool. Housed in an old aircraft hangar, it also has slides, waterfalls and plants aplenty.
(Image: Bmalina)
Hotel Indigo, Hong Kong
Five-star luxury, contemporary aesthetics… and a cantilevered rooftop pool 29 storeys up. This means that – if you’re brave enough – you can swim beyond the edge of the building to “enjoy” the views below.
(Image: AEDAS)
Hotel Fasano, Rio de Janeiro
With less than 12 months to go until the Olympic Games, it’s only right that we spotlight the best place to take a dip when the world’s best athletes descend on Brazil. Rio’s Hotel de Fasano has a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Sugarloaf mountain and Ipanema beach, and would be our baths of choice.
(Image: Hotel Fasano)
Atlantis Water Park, Dubai
Okay not strictly a swimming pool, but we couldn’t resist including this as it has a) sharks and b) water slides. Win.
Advertisement
What pools did we miss out? Let us know in the comments below!
Click Here: highlanders rugby jersey