http://www.triathlon.org/news/ en merryn.sherwood@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-31T22:30:08+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/usat_sets_2012_usa_paratriathlon_race_series/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/usat_sets_2012_usa_paratriathlon_race_series/#When:18:36:26Z With the aim of providing increased domestic competitive opportunities for the nation’s top paratriathletes, USA Triathlon has established the 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series, a three-race series held in conjunction with some of the nation’s top multisport events. The sprint-distance series kicks off with the 2012 USA Paratriathlon National Championship, contested alongside the Capital of Texas Triathlon on May 28 in Austin, Texas. Paratriathlon Nationals will serve as the primary selection event for the 2012 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, on Oct. 22. Visit usatriathlon.org for a full list of qualification criteria. Other 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series stops include the Denver Triathlon on June 10 and the Nickel City Triathlon on Sept. 16 in Buffalo, N.Y. - the day after the 2012 USA Triathlon Elite National Championship. “This USA Paratriathlon Race Series will provide access to higher levels of competition and increased visibility for the sport of paratriathlon. It will be great for these inspirational athletes to go from a single event in the U.S. to a three-race series,” USA Triathlon High Performance Senior Manager Andy Schmitz said. “We are looking forward to the continued growth of paratriathlon in the U.S. and worldwide.” Historically one of the world’s top paratriathlon performers, the U.S. has earned more than one-fourth of all possible podium finishes at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships since 2008. Paratriathlon will make its Paralympic Games debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. Paratriathlon, Regions, Americas 2012-02-03T18:36:26+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/triathlon_association_of_the_philippines_receives_olympic_solidarity_boost/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/triathlon_association_of_the_philippines_receives_olympic_solidarity_boost/#When:10:58:37Z Triathlon in the Philippines has received another green boost, with the Triathlon Association of the Philippines gaining an Olympic Solidarity grant to help fund its first Green Tri workshops for 2012. TRAP is a strong supporter of the ITU’s sustainability message and launched its Green Tri initiative last year. This year it has successfully secured a grant for its Green Triathlon Initiatives 2012 from the Olympic Solidarity programme under its ‘2009-2012 Quadrennial Plan for Sports and the Environment’ programme. As in 2011, TRAP’s Green Tri programme goals are to reduce and manage pollution and waste in triathlon events. This year, they aim to intensify and widen the promotion of long-term environmental consciousness among all stakeholders of triathlon - from triathletes, coaches, officials, media,  to sponsors, fans, venue hosts and suppliers. “We hope that our efforts will create an imitable example for our partner race organizers in the provinces and, perhaps, our colleagues in other sports federations in the country,” said Tom Carrasco, TRAP President and ITU Treasurer. And TRAP is already spreading that message, after the first Green Tri Initiative workshop on January 28. The full day workshop had participants from media, sponsors, venue hosts, TRAP officials and volunteers, with an aim to draw up actionable green plans for 2012. “The workshop went very well. The participants were well represented, enthusiastic and participative. Useful info was shared by speakers from Greenpeace, Ayala Foundation, a solar energy expert and a manager from an ISO certifying body,” said Carrasco. TRAP also have planned follow-up workshops in March and April, development of a website, management and promotion of a Facebook page and full implementation of green plans in triathlon events. For more information on TRAP’s Green Tri initiative, including the chance to sign a pledge of support, please click here. For more on the ITU’s committment to sustainability, please click here. Regions, Asia 2012-02-01T10:58:37+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_announces_2012_and_2013_itu_cross_triathlon_world_championships/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_announces_2012_and_2013_itu_cross_triathlon_world_championships/#When:01:37:22Z The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to announce the 2012 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships will be held in Pelham, Alabama, on May 19 in a partnership with the XTERRA Southeast Championship.  The event will feature $20,000 USD in prize money for elite athletes, who will compete over a 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run.  Under23, junior, age-group and paratriathlon races will also be contested in Pelham. Marisol Casado, ITU President & IOC Member: “The triathlon and multisport family is extensive and far reaching and ITU is delighted to form a partnership with XTERRA for our 2012 Cross Triathlon World Championships. We are confident the strong race organization and dynamic course will continue to push Cross Triathlon to a new level.” Dave Nicholas, Race Director, XTERRA Southeast Championships “TEAM unlimited is excited about bringing the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship to the USA.  By combining the XTERRA series with ITU we are reaching new heights in cooperation between directors and the federations. Oak Mountain and Shelby County are the perfect place to host this event.” The course at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, located in the southernmost part of the Appalachian Chain, is praised by competitors as being one of the most fun, fast, scenic and difficult on the XTERRA schedule. Pelham will mark the second ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships, following last year’s successful event in Extremadura, Spain won by Canadian Melanie McQuaid and South Africa’s Conrad Stoltz. Both McQuaid and Stoltz are also the defending champions in Pelham. ITU has also awarded the 2013 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships to Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands.  The event is slated for July 13, 2013 and will offer 35,000 EUR in prize money for elite athletes and will also hold under23, junior age-group and paratriathlon categories.  In preparation for the event, the city will host the European Cross Triathlon Championships this year.  Events, Media Centre, Press Release, Multisports, Cross Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-02-01T01:37:22+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/wada_release_new_say_no_to_doping_video/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/wada_release_new_say_no_to_doping_video/#When:22:30:08Z The ITU Anti-Doping Team would like everyone to know that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released a ‘Say NO! To Doping’ video clip as the latest element in an awareness campaign that is fast gaining worldwide support. According to WADA’s media release “The ‘Say NO! To Doping’ campaign emphasises the key sporting messages of courage, respect, effort and to accept challenges and is designed so international and national sports organisations can unite behind it in support of clean sport. To date, 16 organisations worldwide have embraced the ‘Say NO! To Doping’ campaign, including the UK Anti-Doping Agency and organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The 30-second clip emphasises the true values of sport and delivers a very clear message that genuine sporting success and enjoyment comes only through hard work and fair play, not through doping. “Say NO! To Doping is a very important feature of our anti-doping awareness and education strategy and our aim is to develop further exposure through this video clip,” said David Howman, WADA Director General. “It very clearly outlines what we all love about sport and focuses on the simple but highly-important values that clean sport represents.” The clip is the latest of WADA’s turn-key awareness tools organisations can adopt to create their own anti-doping campaigns. The clip received high-profile coverafe when it was broadcast to fans at the NHL’s All Star Game in Ottawa, Canada this week. We encourage stakeholders to use this clip as a starting point to build anti-doping awareness and as a bridge to meaningful and substantive education program. To watch the clip, please click here.” ITU is a proud partner of the Say No! To Doping campaign. We produced our own video last year and you can view it here. Anti-Doping, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-31T22:30:08+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/over_500_sign_on_for_vitoria-gasteiz_long_distance_world_titles/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/over_500_sign_on_for_vitoria-gasteiz_long_distance_world_titles/#When:05:10:03Z More than 500 athletes have already registered for the 2012 Vitoria-Gasteiz ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, with just six months to go until the event in Spain. After the first period of registration closed, more than 500 participants had entered from 11 different countries. They included triathletes from Denmark, USA, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Holland and Portugal. It includes 234 international registrations and over 300 Spanish pre-registered in the different age groups: 264 men, 28 women and five paratriathletes. Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital city of the province of Álava and of the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain, and is the home of two-time Olympian and triathlon legend Eneko Llanos. It hosted the European Long Distance Championships in 2010. The course starts with a one-lap 4km swim in lake Ullibarri-Gamboa, before a two-lap 120km bike leg that winds through the plains of Alava, with the lake on one side and the Elguea mountain range on the other. The four-lap 30km run course then starts and finishes in the medieval district of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The second registration period will be open until May 29, with fees at 125 EUR for Spanish entrants and 150 EUR for entrants from other countries. The price difference is due to the 25 EUR subsidy the Spanish Triathlon Federation (FETRI) offers to each Spanish competitor. For late entries from May 30 onwards, the registration fee will rise to 175 EUR. The final participants list will be published on May 29, but forecasts point to a total of 1300 athletes in total, so make sure you sign up now to secure your spot. Spain, as the host, has 25 places for each age-group. All registrations are processed on-line through FETRI, www.triatlon.org. Please proceed to register your athletes through the ITU online entry system and the LOC will invoice each National Federation. Events, Multisports, Long Distance Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-31T05:10:03+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/triathlon_tweets_of_the_week/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/triathlon_tweets_of_the_week/#When:03:12:41Z While pre-season training was one of the triathlete tweeps’ favourite topics this week, the conversation between ITU stars on Twitter also took in the weather, Australia Day, and some tennis. Helle Frederiksen tweeted this picturesque snap of 2008 ITU World Champion Daniel Unger on the track. Helle Frederiksen @helle_f. “Daniel Unger setting the track a light at Club La Santa. During a 20 x 400m track session last night http://fb.me/1tvBiztDy.” While cold snap in New Zealand had plenty of Kiwis talking. Debbie Tanner @debstanner. “30 degrees yesterday nek minute it’s snowing!! Thank goodness I got a rest day tomorrow! http://twitter.com/debstanner/status/162451166809178112/photo/1.” Tom Davison @tom_davison_nz. “You know its cold when there’s snow settling inside your room eh.. #summercamp http://twitter.com/tom_davison_nz/status/162458063595515904/photo/1.” Some of those completing a pre-season in the land of Aus joined in with Australia’s national day celebrations, although Brad Kahlefeldt didn’t enjoy Emma Moffatt‘s dinner suggestion. Vicky Holland @VixHolland. “awesome aussie day BBQ with @katiepure and @sportsrehabtw11 - had some roo steak to honour it!.” Brad Kahlefeldt @GOSticksy. “Kicking back for Australian day. @_Moffy suggested Mexican for dinner #unaustralian #aussieBBQ.” Then late on Thursday night, plenty of triathletes tuned into the epic Australian Open semi-final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Jamie Huggett @jamie_huggett. “Hoping fed comes through with the win! Love the way he goes about his game. #calm #ausopen.” Chris McCormack @MaccaNow. “Come on Roger!.” Vicky Holland @VixHolland. “personal opinion here, but both fed&rafa not plain their best tennis 2nite. looks like they’ll b fighting it out on willpower #truechampions.” And for those seeking a bit of triathlon nostalgia, ITU photographer Delly Carr posted this picture of four Australian triathlon legends. ITU commentator Barrie Shepley bought our attention to it. Barrie Shepley @Barrieshepley. “Awesome shot of 4 of the sport’s greatest ever triathletes racing head to head from the early 90s. http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=266797436669715&set=o.248771691812698&type=1&theater.” And finally, there was a triathlon wedding to celebrate. Hollie Avil @Hollie_Avil. “It’s wedding day! All my love to such a beautiful couple and two very inspiring people, @Teamdillon and @StuHayes13! See you at the Chapel x.” Make sure you follow the ITU... Athletes, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-27T03:12:41+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/london_2012_unveils_anti-doping_laboratory_for_olympics_and_paralympics/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/london_2012_unveils_anti-doping_laboratory_for_olympics_and_paralympics/#When:19:08:50Z The ITU anti-doping team would like you to be aware that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) unveiled the WADA accredited anti-doping laboratory which will operate during the London 2012 Games. LOCOG, IOC, and ITU are working together to make sure that the testing of triathletes is as effective and efficient as possible. According to their media release, “LOCOG, laboratory service providers GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and laboratory operators King’s College London, welcomed Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics for a tour of the facility which is based in Harlow, Essex. Over 6250 samples will be analysed throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games, up to 400 each day which is more than at any other Games. The laboratory, which measures the size of seven tennis courts, will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Over 1,000 LOCOG staff will work within the Anti-Doping process and a team of more than 150 anti-doping scientists will carry out the testing at the laboratory, led independently by Professor David Cowan from the Drug Control Centre at King’s College London. The facility, which has been provided by pharmaceutical company GSK, will be operated by leading anti-doping experts from King’s College London and supported by scientists from around the world. Paul Deighton, London 2012 Chief Executive, said: “Today is an important milestone in the countdown to the Games. Working with one of the world’s best pharmaceutical companies and one of the country’s leading universities we have been able to create a facility to successfully and efficiently process 6,250 tests during the Games which has never been done before. As we unveil the anti-doping lab we recognise the importance of a robust testing system and continue to show that London is ready to stage a successful Games.” Hugh Robertson,  Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said: ““We are doing all we can to ensure that there is no place to hide for drug cheats at London 2012. Our message to any athlete thinking about doping is simple – we’ll catch you. This lab, from GlaxoSmithKline and King’s College London, is at the forefront of the fight against doping. It will be populated with scientists at the top of their field during the Games who will carry out an exhaustive testing process.” Sir Andrew Witty, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline said: “As a science based organisation, GSK is well placed to help deliver the scale and cutting edge... Anti-Doping, Olympics, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-26T19:08:50+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/db_schenker_joins_itu_world_triathlon_series_as_global_logistics_partner/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/db_schenker_joins_itu_world_triathlon_series_as_global_logistics_partner/#When:11:00:09Z The International Triathlon Union (ITU)—in collaboration with its global marketing partner Upsolut—today announced that DB Schenker has signed on to become the Global Logistics Partner of the ITU World Triathlon Series.  An industry leader, DB Schenker will provide transportation and logistics services for the ITU World Triathlon Series which will visit eight different countries on four continents, beginning with Sydney on April 14. The ITU World Triathlon Series and DB Schenker have agreed to partner for the next three years. Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member: “The ITU World Triathlon Series is all about excellence so we are proud to welcome DB Schenker, a new partner that represents just that.  World class delivery and logistics support from DB Schenker is a wonderful addition and will contribute to the continuing success of the ITU World Triathlon Series.” Dr. Thomas C. Lieb, Chairman of the Management Board of Schenker AG: “We are excited to be partnering with the ITU World Triathlon Series. Triathlon events continue to grow across all five continents and the level of competition at all levels is far reaching. So to that end, to support and provide logistics services to the ITU series is a great honour for us. Transporting the goods and equipment across the eight events is what our service offering is all about – on time and in full.” In 2011 the ITU World Triathlon Series doubled its media figures compared to 2010. The TV duration was 917 hours; the coverage reached an audience of 207 million and made 4.6 billion FASPO contacts. The events had more than one million spectators while 27,500 participants competed in one of the age-group races. Entering its fourth year, the ITU World Triathlon Series is the premier triathlon series in the world and the most competitive.  Athletes compete in series events with total points added to determine the ITU Triathlon World Champion.  In 2012, the series will be staged in eight different countries, kicking off in Sydney in April and wrapping up in October at the Grand Final in Auckland where the ITU World Champions will be crowned. The deal is brokered by Upsolut Event GmbH, ITU’s commercial and marketing partner. Existing partners and sponsors of the ITU World Triathlon Series are: Dextro Energy, Samsung, Suunto, Skins, Specialized, Oakley and now DB Schenker. About DB Schenker: DB Schenker stands for the transportation and logistics activities of Deutsche Bahn (DB) and... Events, World Championship Series, Media Centre, Press Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-26T11:00:09+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/prize_money_for_itu_world_triathlon_series_increases_for_2012/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/prize_money_for_itu_world_triathlon_series_increases_for_2012/#When:22:25:21Z The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to confirm the prize money for the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series, with the total prize pool surpassing two million dollars next year. With an overall increase of 15 per cent, prize money from the eight series events and the year-end bonus pool will total $2.06-million (all funds USD). “Across the board we are seeing tremendous growth in our premier series - from spectators to participants to sponsors to broadcast partners and now with prize money for our elite athletes,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.  “On the back this growth, 2012 is poised to be the greatest and most exciting triathlon season to date.” The Grand Final in Auckland will feature a $270,000 prize purse while the prize money for every other series event will be $170,000. Also, each race and the Grand Final will also now award prize money down to the 20th place, whereas in 2011 only athletes who finished in the top-15 claimed prize money. Athletes will vie for an additional $600,000 in the year-end bonus pool which pays the top 30 ranked women and men - up from top-20 - at season’s end. This figure is up from $500,000 in the 2011 season. Overall, it means that there is an increase of $260,000 to the overall pool, up from $1.8-million to $2.06-million.  Finishing the year atop the series rankings will not only earn an athlete the coveted title of “ITU World Champion” but also net $60,000 of the bonus pool. The 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series kicks off on 14-15 April in Sydney, Australia.  With eight events in eight different countries, the 2012 ITU World Champions will be crowned at the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand on 20-22 October. The ITU World Triathlon Series was launched in 2009, expanding the former single-day World Championship race.  Points are accrued throughout the season and athletes who win the overall series are crowned the ITU World Champions. For more information on the series and a full prize money breakdown please click here. Events, World Championship Series, Media Centre, Press Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-01-17T22:25:21+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/team_itu_set_for_mooloolaba_and_huatulco_in_2012/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/team_itu_set_for_mooloolaba_and_huatulco_in_2012/#When:00:31:56Z The Team ITU programme will have an added Olympic boost in 2012, with the two ITU World Cup events selected within the Olympic qualifying period. The primary objective of the development programme is to provide support, resources and expertise to athletes from emerging and developing National Federations, who have the potential to qualify for London 2012, to compete at a World Cup level. This year the first Team ITU event will be the 2012 Mooloolaba World Cup, in Australia on March 25th. The next is the 2012 Huatulco World Cup, in Mexico on May 6th.  The points gathered from both go directly towards athletes’ qualifying totals for London, as the the official Olympic qualifying period doesn’t close until 31 May 2012. “Since the inception of the Team ITU project in 2006, athletes and coaches alike place a high value on the benefit the on-site support (coaches, physiotherapists and bike mechanics) in terms of their performance.  ITU is excited to be able to continue with this programme in this very important Olympic year,” said Libby Burrell, Director of ITU Development. “The team will target prospective Olympic participants from the developing and emerging nations.” The support includes a travel stipend, accommodation and meals as well as the priceless support of a world class coaching team, including specialised triathlon coaches, physiotherapists and bike technicians. Developing NFs may nominate a maximum of 2 men and 2 women. The application deadline for Mooloolaba is Februrary 6 and the deadline for Huatulco is March 30.  Click here more information, including application forms. “Post London 2012, the new phase of Team ITU will begin with the World Junior and U23 Camp in Auckland, New Zealand where a new crop of talented athletes will have the opportunity to be noticed by the ITU coaches and the march towards Rio 2016 will begin,” said Burrell. Team ITU celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2011 with a blockbuster year. The programme has helped names like Sweden’s Lisa Norden, Chile’s Barbara Riveros Diaz and South Africa’s Kate Roberts find their feet on the elite circuit quickly. Norden and Riveros Diaz are now ITU World Champions, after capturing the sprint world titles in 2010 and 2011 respectively. It also has a record of meeting its Olympic goals, all four of the programme’s very first athletes back in 2006 – Mari Rabie, Flora Duffy, Roberts and Norden – all competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In 2011 the programme... Events, World Cup, Media Centre, Press Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Sport Development 2012-01-17T00:31:56+00:00