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/itu_continues_partnership_with_powerman_for_2012_and_2013_long_distance_dua/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_continues_partnership_with_powerman_for_2012_and_2013_long_distance_dua/#When:18:17:24Z The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to announce a continued partnership with the International Powerman Association (IPA) to stage the 2012 and 2013 ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships.  The event will be part of the Powerman Series and will remain in Zofingen, Switzerland, located approximately 60km west of Zurich. “With this continued partnership with Powerman, a stronger, brighter future is in store for international duathlon,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. “Zofingen offers a beautiful and challenging backdrop for the grueling test of long distance duathlon.” The event will be held on 1-2 September 2012 with the elite duathletes fighting it out for gold over a 10km run followed by a 150km bike then a 30km run.  A total prize purse of $50,000 USD will be on offer, equal for men and women. “In 2011 we established an ITU-Powerman working committee with the mission to boost duathlon and create more awareness for the sport,” said John Raadschelders, President of the International Powerman Association.  “Faith in each other is fundamental to this continued partnership for 2012 and 2013.” This year will mark the 24th edition of Powerman Zofingen and the fifth time it will serve as the ITU Duathlon Long Distance World Championship. “The extension of the co-operation between ITU and Powerman over two years is an important message for the sport of duathlon and opens to athletes and federations new perspectives,” said Stefan Ruf, President of Powerman Zofingen.  “The possibility to win the ITU World Championship title at the epic Powerman Zofingen event makes this race unique for the elite and age-group athletes.” At last year’s ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen, New Zealand’s Melanie Burke won her first world championship while Belgium’s Joerie Vansteelant cemented his position as the king of long distance duathlon by breaking the course record in the men’s race. Click here for more on Powerman Events, Media Centre, Press Release, Multisports, Long Distance Duathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania 2012-02-10T18:17:24+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/marquee_names_set_for_geelong_sprint_oceania_cup_this_weekend/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/marquee_names_set_for_geelong_sprint_oceania_cup_this_weekend/#When:00:34:57Z An impressive line-up that includes a host of past Olympians, World Series and World Cup winners will be seen at the 2012 Geelong ITU Sprint Triathlon Premium Oceania Cup in what will be a season opener for most. Double ITU World Champion Emma Moffatt headlines the women’s field and will be hoping to use the home soil advantage for a good kick off to the season after working hard to reclaim her form in 2011 which led to a runner-up finish in Yokohama.   Great Britain’s Liz Blatchford, who finished ahead of Moffatt at the Beijing Grand Final last year will also be in contention. Blatchford and teammate in the men’s race, William Clarke are currently training in Australia until the ITU World Triathlon Series event in Sydney in April. “Training in Australia has been good and I’m looking forward to testing my form this weekend in the Geelong sprint event. I will use it to help me to find some speed and get race ready for the bigger races of the season. I’ll be racing the Mooloolaba World Cup followed by Sydney, San Diego and Madrid WTS in my effort to gain Olympic Selection,” said Blatchford. Also in the women’s race and no strangers on the world circuit are Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle, who broke through for her first world cup title in Edmonton last year, and Erin Densham who will both fight for a place on a podium. The field will miss Andrea Hewitt who was forced to pull out due to illness. Click here for full women’s start list However, Hewitt’s partner and coach Laurent Vidal will line up wearing number one in the elite men’s start list.  The Frenchman who has already earned a spot on his Olympic team, will be aiming for the podium after just missing out at his final race last season at the 2011 Auckland ITU Triathlon World Cup, finishing fourth. Also beginning the race year in Geelong is Clarke whose best result of 2011 was a silver medal in Hamburg. Australians Brendan Sexton and 7-time World Cup winner Courtney Atkinson may also prove to be a threat on home soil.  The Aussies will have extra motivation with national glory on the line as the event also doubles as the Australian Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships. Clarke commented: “I’m really excited to get out there amongst it for the first race of my 2012 season. I’ve been training really hard out in Australia and want to blow away the cobwebs with a good hard race. I’m in decent shape but you never know with the first race of the season, the Australians are always... Events, Continental Cup, Regions, Europe, Oceania 2012-02-10T00:34:57+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/mcilroy_royle_triumph_over_dutch_in_kinloch/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/mcilroy_royle_triumph_over_dutch_in_kinloch/#When:10:42:12Z Australia’s Aaron Royle made the most of Beijing Olympian Kris Gemmell’s misfortune to win the 2012 Kinloch OTU Sprint Triathlon Oceania Cup. Wearing the number one for the event, Gemmell was forced to retire due to mechanical failure on the bike, when his derailler broke, bringing his race to an abrupt end. But one man’s misfortune was another man’s gain and Royle, runner-up in last year’s Oceania Championship, seized the opportunity to record a 4-second win over Dutchman Jan van Berkel in second with fellow Australians Jamie Huggett and Peter Kerr in third and fourth respectively. Royle produced his trump card on the bike, exiting onto the run alongside New Zealand pair Tom Davison and Edward Rawles with the two Kiwi youngsters keeping the elite company honest. “I came into this race confident, it is my first race for the year and I know I am probably the fittest I have ever been,” said Royle.  “I was able to get a good swim and really take it out on the bike (and it was) the bike that got me the win today. We had a good group, (including) Rawles and Davison and for a while Richard Varga. “I was concerned knowing that there were a few good guys that could bridge the gap on the run if my legs didn’t keep me going but I was able to push through to the end and hold the lead.” Meanwhile in the women’s race, New Zealand’s Kate McIlroy recorded an impressive season opener, running away from the ever improving Dutch pair of Rachel Klamer and Danne Boterenbrood.  McIlroy’s teammates Debbie Tanner ran home fourth and Nicky Samuels finished fifth. This group of five established a strong lead early on the bike after exiting the 750m swim together, with the field trailing behind as the pace went on around the tight and demanding multi-lap 20km bike course. Onto the 5km run it was Samuels who faded first, leaving the two Dutch and two Kiwis to hammer away in front of a huge crowd lining the Kinloch course. Into the home straight for the final time it was McIlroy who proved strongest, pulling away in a great display of strength and leg speed, especially for so early in the season. “I’m really happy, it was a really hard race, we pushed the whole way,” said McIlroy.  “The bike was aggressive and on the run there was a group of us pushing the whole way. Team tactics didn’t come into it at all; I think we all had a plan of trying to bike really hard and keep the chasing group away from us and maintain that gap. “Once on the run the pace was... Events, Continental Cup, Multisports, Sprint Distance Triathlon, Regions, Europe, Oceania 2012-02-06T10:42:12+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:18:36:20Z 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 2012-02-03T18:36:20+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_level_2_coaching_course_in_subic_bay_philippines/ http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_level_2_coaching_course_in_subic_bay_philippines/#When:17:31:32Z ITU Development was in the Philippines this past week for an ITU Level 2 Coaching Course in Subic Bay. With the increasing presence of Asian triathletes on the world stage, it is such programmes that will not only ensure they are here to stay, but also pave the way for a new generation of high level coaches.  The five day course is a development initiative focusing on advancing coaching levels in the Philippines and Asian region. Funded by Olympic Solidarity with the support of the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines, participants attended from Egypt, Iran, Philippines, Singapore and Zimbabwe. Anthony Lozada from the Philippines believes the course not only offered knowledge, but also encouragement. “The course has not only equipped me with the necessary tools to produce elite level athletes, the ITU facilitators also inspired me to pursue this challenging task,” said Lozada. The three ITU facilitators imparting their expertise were Luc Morin from Canada, Sergio Santos from Portugal and Libby Burrell, Director of ITU Development. “The course is a great opportunity for coaches to gather and be exposed to current methods and the experiences of our facilitators,” said Burrell. “We are always lucky to have the invaluable support and enthusiasm of everyone involved. It is really an encouragement for the development in Asia.” The course also welcomed Triathlon Association of the Philippines President and ITU Executive Board member, Tom Carrasco who travelled to Subic Bay to meet with the group on Wednesday and Thursday. ASTC Development Coordinator Ki Woo Kyung was also in attendance at the applied course that integrates sports science with the specific preparation, planning and evaluation of the ITU junior and U23 triathlete. Regions, Asia, Sport Development 2012-02-03T17:31:32+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:01:37:40Z 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 2012-02-01T01:37:40+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:03:12:37Z 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 2012-01-27T03:12:37+00:00