http://www.triathlon.org/news/ en merryn.sherwood@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-25T08:21:07+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/olympic_qualification_update_before_itu_world_triathlon_madrid/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/olympic_qualification_update_before_itu_world_triathlon_madrid/#When:03:39:00Z The race for a spot on the London 2012 Olympic Games triathlon start list began in Madrid almost exactly two years ago. So it’s a perfect symmetry that the Spanish capital is also where it will end this weekend.  Over the past two years athletes have not just been racing for podium places in the ITU World Triathlon Series, but also for a spot on the Hyde Park pontoon. But what does it actually mean for this weekend’s race? We break out the current Olympic simulation and calculators and tell you here. Elite Women’s Simulation Currently the eight National Olympic Committees who can send a maximum of three athletes, in order, are: United States, Australia, Great Britain, Japan, France, Spain, New Zealand and Germany. That top six are secure, but coming into Madrid, New Zealand, Germany and the ninth-placed nation, Switzerland, are all in with a chance to send three women. Currently Debbie Tanner is New Zealand’s third athlete, and she sits 76 points ahead of Germany’s third athlete Kathrin Muller. However Tanner isn’t racing this weekend, which means New Zealand’s fourth athlete Nicky Samuels needs to overtake Muller to stay in seventh, she’s 36 points behind, or Samuels could still potentially finish behind Muller but have New Zealand stay in eighth. Except the wildcard in the mix here is Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf. Ryf is one of only ten women to have won a series title since the new multi-round World Championship format started, but she had a tough 2011 dealing with injury. While she started the season well with sixth place in Mooloolaba, Ryf pulled out of Sydney with illness and didn’t finish in San Diego. But the difference in points that Ryf is from Muller and Samuels, 277 points and 241 points respectively, is certainly achievable. While it depends on where Samuels and Muller finish, a top eight finish could potentially see Ryf and Switzerland in the picture. Working in Switzerland and New Zealand’s favour is that both Samuels and Ryf are two of the strongest cyclists on the circuit, and could potentially be supported by the already pre-selected Olympians, Andrea Hewitt and Nicola Spirig. On the Madrid course that is conducive to breakaways, Germany will have to watch to see that doesn’t happen for them to stay in the race. Overall, it’s going to be a fascinating race to see which NOCs can field the maximum three athletes. Elsewhere in the field the continental new flag places will be closely contested and watched. These places are for an... Athletes, Events, Major Games, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Media Centre, Event Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-22T03:39:00+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_travels_to_madrid/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_travels_to_madrid/#When:03:06:49Z This year marks the 10th anniversary of an ITU race in Madrid, from its start as a European Cup, then World Cup, and then the ITU World Triathlon Series since its start in 2009. This year it’s also special because it’s where the London 2012 Olympic Games qualification period started two years ago and also where it ends. But aside from the Olympic dreams that could be decided this weekend, there are also two elite titles on the line, and the two fields assembled mean both races are going to come down to the wire. Elite Women’s Preview Andrea Hewitt missed only her second series race in series history by sitting out San Diego, but that does nothing to affect her favourtism for Madrid. Hewitt’s incredible run of podium finishes hasn’t been matched over the past six months, in fact the last time she wasn’t on an ITU podium was in London last year, when she finished 6th. She’s also a previous Madrid winner, it’s where she claimed her first series win back in 2009 and could take the lead in the overall series rankings with a win. But Hewitt isn’t the only one in form. Nicola Spirig endured a tough 2011, but is off to a brilliant start to the Olympic year with a silver medal in Mooloolaba, a fifth place in Sydney and a European Championship win. The two women that shared the podium with Spirig in Eilat are also ones to watch, Ainhoa Murua finished sixth in Sydney before going on to silver in Israel while Emmie Charayron has great history in the Spanish capital. She won silver here in 2009, before stamping another classy run last year to claim bronze. But there are even more European athletes who have found their best race form so far this year, France’s Jessica Harrison came just a few seconds short of the San Diego podium when she finished fourth, while Germany’s Anne Haug backed up her best series result of seventh in Sydney by doing it again in San Diego. The Netherlands’ Maaike Caelers also posted a personal best in San Diego, with 11th place, while Great Britain’s Vicky Holland and Liz Blatchford are back near the top, Blatchford finished fourth in Mooloolaba and Holland fifth in San Diego - her best result since the 2010 series. Ireland’s Aileen Morrison has also done well so far this year, with a podium place in Ishigaki. The list of contenders who might not have hit their strides just yet in 2012, but will be aiming to in Madrid, includes the formidable Chilean Barbara Riveros Diaz, who is competing in her second race this year, Australia’s Emma... Events, World Championship Series, Media Centre, Event Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-22T03:06:49+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/conrad_stoltz_goes_back_to_back_at_itu_cross_triathlon_world_championships/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/conrad_stoltz_goes_back_to_back_at_itu_cross_triathlon_world_championships/#When:08:04:00Z South Africa’s Conrad Stoltz stormed through the bike and run to win the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in Shelby County, Alabama. Craig Evans of the USA finished a strong race for silver and Christopher Legh of Australia, took home the bronze. This is Stoltz’s second consecutive ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship win after he took the inaugural title in Spain last year, as well as his sixth consecutive XTERRA win on the Shelby County course. “I am really really proud, “ said Stoltz.  “It is something to achieve so I am really proud to do this for my country.” The sun was at full strength as the men entered the water for the 1.5km swim.  Richard Stannard (GBR) took a sharp lead in the first lap and carried through heading into T2 with a strong field of contenders behind him in a tight second pack. Sergio Sarmiento (MEX), Leandro Lobo (VEN), Jean-Phillipe Thibodeau (CAN) and Sean Bechtel (CAN) hung on to their positions heading into T2 with Stoltz coming out of the water at just over a minute behind the leader. After the first bike leg, Stoltz had not only catapulted up the ranks but was in a close battle with Craig Evans (USA) for first place. “I didn’t realize I was making gaps as big as that on the bike,” said Stoltz. “Normally I really wouldn’t consider this my course because I am so tall.  I don’t see myself as the king of corners.” Stoltz continued to gain momentum on the bike and drove more of a time wedge between him and the ensuing pack, consisting of Evans, Stannard, Branden Rakita (USA), Bechtal and Legh.  Heading in to the run, Stoltz remained a minute ahead of the pack. On the first lap of the run, Stoltz remained strong with Evans coming up the rear.  A possible setback arose for Legh as he was called in the penalty box on a helmet violation while Rakita and Josiah Middaugh (USA) moved closer to narrowing the gap to third position. Coming through on the stretch with a 30-second lead, Stoltz powered his way to victory with Evans, in second place, crossing the finish line exuberantly. “There were a lot of things going through my mind in this race. I had goose bumps the entire race,” said Evans.  “What a celebration and second place is beyond a dream….I can’t put this one into words,  it is beyond exciting.” In the men’s junior race earlier in the day, taking a commanding lead in the swim and bike, South Africa’s Bradley Schuit powered through the run to win gold.  Nicholas Alvarez... Media Centre, Event Release, Press Release, Multisports, Cross Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-20T08:04:00+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/paterson_crowned_itu_cross_triathlon_world_champion/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/paterson_crowned_itu_cross_triathlon_world_champion/#When:00:52:44Z Great Britain’s Lesley Paterson came from behind with a late surge and passed Melanie McQuaid (CAN) in the final lap of the run to win gold at the Shelby County ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships & XTERRA Southeast Championship.  McQuaid, the defending champion who led for much of the race, took silver and Carla Van Huysteen (RSA), bronze. “I feel great. Training has gone well, prep went well,” said Paterson.  “I was feeling energized and ready to rumble. Everything went to plan really. I had a little mechanical on the bike.  My chain came off.  Everything else went pretty smooth.” As the afternoon heat descended upon the women, they entered the water with McQuaid leading the first pack after lap 1. By the second lap, South Africa’s Van Huyssteen had overtaken the lead heading into T2 with Michelle Flipo (MEX), Suzie Snyder (USA), McQuaid, and Paterson, following close behind. Shortly into the first lap of the bike, McQuaid moved ahead and built a significant lead which put her more than two minutes ahead of her contenders by the third lap of the bike.  Van Huyssteen, Snyder and Paterson remained in the second group behind McQuaid on the bike course heading into the run. The tide began to turn on the run when Paterson got in stride and inched to 23 seconds off leader McQuaid in the first lap, creating a large margin between her and the second pack which included Van Huyssteen, Snyder and Shonny Vanlandingham.  Moving well into the second lap, Paterson shot past McQuaid and never looked back to claim her first ITU World Championship “I knew I had to try to catch Melanie and I had to take a lot of time out of her as quickly as possible,” said Paterson. Paterson crossed the finish line with a 3-minute lead on McQuaid but smiles were all around for the silver medallist. “I was happy with my race.  I had a pretty good day but it just wasn’t quite as good as Leslie’s,” said McQuaid. “I’m happy she got it. It’s well deserved.” Bronze medallist Van Huyssteen, who travels to Sardinia next, realized her vision in the race. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into the race and the podium was my ultimate goal,” said Van Huyssteen. “I am really, really happy with my race.” Earlier today in the junior women’s race, 16-year old Hannah Rae Finchamp (USA) ran to a powerful finish and a gold medal.  Securing silver was compatriot Jocelyn Vides (USA) and Charne Prinsloo (RSA) took the bronze.... Events, Media Centre, Event Release, Multisports, Cross Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-20T00:52:44+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/cross_triathlon_ever_evolving/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/cross_triathlon_ever_evolving/#When:11:35:23Z The 2012 Shelby County ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships and XTERRA Southeast Championships goes ahead this weekend as the biggest event on the ITU Cross Triathlon calendar. Now in its second year the race also marks a landmark partnership with XTERRA. As a multidiscipline sport, triathlon has evolved to encompass a number of different forms, each playing an important development role over the course of the sports short history.  Cross triathlon first emerged in 1996 on the island of Maui, when mountain biking and triathlon met in a bold new racing format that consisted of an open-ocean swim, a mountain bike race and a trail run. This fresh take attracted outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, mountain bikers and triathletes. The mountain bikers brought their laid back style and bold self assurance, while the triathletes brought their intense training and avid dedication. ITU acknowledges the key role that XTERRA played in establishing this vibrant and dynamic format and XTERRA’s subsequent growth into the internationally recognised off-road triathlon brand it has become. Today, a typical cross triathlon comprises of 1.5km swim in an ocean, lake or river, 30km mountain bike on off-road trails and a 10km trail run on a variety of surfaces. ITU’s first cross triathlon was the 2007 Panama PATCO Cross Triathlon Pan American Championships beginning a series of annual continental championships. The inaugural ITU Cross Tri World Championships were held in 2011 in Extremadura, Spain with South Africa’s Conrad Stolz and Melanie McQuaid from Canada crowned the very first ITU Cross Triathlon World Champions. Extremadura was deemed a huge success with over 400 athletes competing across the elite, junior, age-group and paratriathlon categories in the swim, mountain bike and cross-country run discipline. This year ITU has partnered with XTERRA to further raise the profile of cross triathlon to host the 2012 Shelby County ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships and XTERRA Southeast Championships. The course in Alabama’s largest park, Oak Mountain provides trails that lead through the almost 10,000 acres of pine-studded ridges and lush green hardwood bottoms and is widely praised by competitors. The ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships are now an established annual event with Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands already set to host 2013, as ITU continues to work hard in seeking new ways to strengthen cross triathlon as a proud commitment to the each... Events, Multisports, Cross Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-18T11:35:23+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_president_joins_olympic_torch_relay_in_athens/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_president_joins_olympic_torch_relay_in_athens/#When:09:41:11Z ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado attended the Handing over Ceremony of the Olympic Flame by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) to the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games in the Panathenaic Stadium yesterday in Athens, Greece. Prior to the ceremony Casado took part in the Torch Relay as a Torchbearer. Since the lighting of the Olympic flame in Olympia on 10 May it has been carried in an eight-day relay across Greece. Casado was among the Torchbearers on the final day of the relay in Greece before it was officially handed over to a London 2012 representative during the early-evening ceremony. The flame was then flown to the UK where it will undergo a 70-day relay beginning at Land’s End. The flame will travel 8,000 miles around every region of the country before arriving in Stratford’s Olympic Stadium to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 27 July. Coinciding with the Handing over Ceremony, Casado also attended the opening of the 18th World Collectors Fair in the historical monument of Zappeion Megaron, the first building in the world to be constructed to serve Olympic needs and synonymous with the Olympic movement. Hosted by the International Olympic Committee and HOC from 17 to 20 May, the fair gathers collectors from all over the world and includes an Olympic Memorabilia Exhibition “Greece and the Olympic Games: 1894 – 2012”. Events, Major Games, ITU, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-18T09:41:11+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/auckland_prepares_to_welcome_the_world/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/auckland_prepares_to_welcome_the_world/#When:04:00:43Z With less than five months to go before the 2012 ITU World Champions are crowned in the fourth year of triathlon’s premier series, Auckland’s preparations to stage the ITU World Series Grand Final are well underway. November last year saw Auckland host the Barfoot & Thompson ITU Triathlon World Cup to glowing reports. In fact the day couldn’t have been better from a local perspective, the spring weather was on its best behaviour, Kris Gemmell and Andrea Hewitt delivered home town success and huge fields took part in the age-group races over sprint and standard distance. But international visitors planning on coming to Auckland for the 2012 Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and Age-Group World Championships be warned – you ain’t seen nothing yet! With last year seen as something of a dress rehearsal for the big show, this year’s hosting of the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and Age-Group World Champs from October 14 to 23 aims to set a new benchmark for World Championship events around the world. Event CEO Dave Beeche leads a large team working feverishly on planning and preparing an event that will have a lasting impact on the sport in New Zealand and leave a lasting and brilliant impression on visitors in New Zealand to race or support family or friends. “This is going to be huge, fantastic for the city of Auckland, New Zealand the sport of triathlon but most importantly our international visitors. Last year was a big success but we have not been resting on our laurels, this year is so much bigger in so many ways but the goal is to once again deliver an event that will do the sport and the country proud. “There are many reasons to come to Auckland in October this year but the biggest plus for those participating or watching the racing is the ‘hub’ nature of the venue. Racing will be based in the CBD, with transition and race headquarters right on the downtown waterfront at The Cloud, a wonderful state of the art covered structure that is a legacy of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. “From the moment people check in to their hotels in the CBD, they can forget the need for a car; forget the need for long trips anywhere, all you will need is a map – which we will provide, and some walking shoes. Supermarkets, coffee, restaurants, bars, race headquarters, transition, massage, and swimming – everything you need will be within 10 to 15 minutes walk of your hotel.” And you need not worry if you haven’t yet qualified to... Events, World Championship Series, Media Centre, Event Release, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-17T04:00:43+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/london_2012_olympic_qualifying_update_after_san_diego/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/london_2012_olympic_qualifying_update_after_san_diego/#When:02:21:01Z The two-year ITU Olympic Qualification Period is almost at an end after the penultimate race in the city where triathlon was invented. The ITU World Triathlon San Diego held plenty of hopes and dreams, some were realised, some were not. Here is the updated Olympic simulation, which is a guide to what the London field what look like if qualification finished tomorrow, and an early look at the Madrid round of the ITU World Triathlon Series. Elite Women’s Simulation As the final automatic qualification event for USA Triathlon, a key focus was on who would join Gwen Jorgensen and Sarah Groff in London. The top contenders were Laura Bennett and Sarah Haskins, who both represented the USA in Beijing and that battle was on right from the start. Both are strong swimmers and both emerged within a lead group of eight that included Helen Jenkins and Erin Densham. While Haskins tried a few times to break off the front in the bike, she didn’t, and they came in T2 together. Bennett flew through in 20 seconds, while Haskins took 28, and that ended-up being a defining moment. While Haskins did almost catch Bennett in the run, the 37-year-old pulled away and went on to bronze – her first series medal and her second Olympic team. In other individual selection news, Netherlands’ Rachel Klamer met her national federation’s qualification criteria with a 12th place finish. This acted as a confirmation result for her early pre-selection in 2011. Maaike Caelers also put herself into contention with 11th, enough to move herself onto the Olympic simulation. Lisa Mensink had held down a second place for the Netherlands, but her day finished early with a crash leaving T1. That crash also ended her own hopes of competing in London, she sustained a fractured shoulder, however Caelers result was enough to keep the Netherlands with two spots for now. In other important results, Lydia Waldmuller moved Austria into the picture, taking over the European new flag spot from Finland’s Kaisa Lehtonen, while Hungary moved from two places to one. A week after collapsing before the finish line in Huatulco, Vendula Frintova recovered and put the Czech Rebublic back in with a chance to send two women. So far Frintova and Radka Vodickova hold down those two places. Claudia Rivas also met the Mexican Triathlon Federation’s qualification criteria to confirm her place in London. The competition to see who can field the maximum three athletes in London didn’t change after San Diego, except for... Events, World Championship Series, Olympics, Olympic Tab Player, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-16T02:21:01+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/slovakia_hosts_itu_level_1_club_community_coaching_couse/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/slovakia_hosts_itu_level_1_club_community_coaching_couse/#When:15:30:00Z A group of ITU coaches gathered in Slovakia last weekend to take part in an ITU Level 1 Club & Community Coaching Course. A total of 20 coaches from Israel, Slovakia and Croatia attended the course in Hotel Dom Sportu in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. The course was organized by ITU Development Coordinator for Europe, Zeljko Bijuk (CRO) and Secretary General of the Slovakian Triathlon Union, Jozef Jurasek (SVK) and included both theoretical and practical sessions. The ITU Level 1 Club & Community Coaching Course, included information ranging from the swim, bike and run to transitions, basic nutrition and coach responsibility. Lectures were held in the Dom Sportu, former home of the Slovakian Olympic Committee and presently used by Slovakian sports federations. Participants of the course had the opportunity to take part in an aquathlon race during their lunch break. The race took place in the lake behind the host hotel and allowed attendees to practice some of their newly learned techniques under the supervision of ITU facilitators Tibor Lehmann (HUN), Zsolt Szakaly (HUN) and Bijuk. The course was positively received by the young and ambitious coaches, many still active triathletes who all share the same enthusiasm to help promote triathlon in their respective countries.  Click here for more information on ITU Development Regions, Europe, Sport Development 2012-05-15T15:30:00+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/stoltz_and_mcquaid_aim_to_defend_their_titles_at_itu_cross_triathlon_world_/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/stoltz_and_mcquaid_aim_to_defend_their_titles_at_itu_cross_triathlon_world_/#When:05:12:20Z Last year was a historic one for Cross Triathlon, after four years of continental championships ITU hosted its first world titles in Extremadura, Spain. Over 400 athletes competed across the elite, junior, age-group and paratriathlon categories in the swim, mountain bike and cross-country run discipline. This year, the sport takes another step forward as ITU partners with XTERRA for the second edition for the 2012 Shelby County ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships and XTERRA Southeast Championships. Oak Mountain State Park, located in the southernmost part of the Appalachian Chain, boasts a trail praised by competitors as one of the most fun, fast, scenic and difficult with credit attributed to the work of Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) along with Alabama’s DCNR State Park Division, Shelby County and the City of Pelham. BUMP has spent more than 100,000 hours in design and construction of new trails over the past 20 years. 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. Elite Women’s Preview Canada’s Melanie McQuaid took out the first ITU Cross Triathlon world title in Spain last year, and will return to defend it in Alabama as will the two other women who finished on the podium with her in Extremadura, the USA’s Shonny Vanlandingham and Emma Garrard. However, it’s a tough field to pick a favourite, as McQuaid, Vanlandingham, Switzerland’s Renata Bucher and Great Britain’s Lesley Paterson all have good form on the course in Shelby County. Last year, McQuaid bettered Vanlandingham and Bucher in the podium 1-2-3, but in 2010 it was Vanlandingham who beat McQuaid to the title as Paterson claimed bronze. McQuaid won in 2009, with Paterson collecting silver, while Vanlandingham won in 2008, where Paterson finished third. Adding to the competition is that Bucher and Paterson, who took out last year’s XTERRA world title, had to have a photo to decide who won in Las Vegas just last week, showing that the battle for the podium is set to be a thrilling one here. Vanlandingham, the 2010 XTERRA World Champion who is making her return from an ACL injury in this race, said earlier this year it was no surprise that a strong women’s field was competing. “I’ve raced all over the world, and I just love coming back to Oak Mountain every year. It is perhaps the best course in the nation,” she said. Others to watch include Canada’s Danelle Kabush and Austria’s... Media Centre, Event Release, Multisports, Cross Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-05-15T05:12:20+00:00