http://www.triathlon.org/news/ en erin.greene@triathlon.org Copyright 2013 2013-05-17T19:42:36+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/weekend_race_roundup_may_6_2013 http://www.triathlon.org/site/weekend_race_roundup_may_6_2013#When:07:51:55Z From duathlons to triathlons in Africa and Europe, the 2013 season carried on this weekend with Spain dominating the Banyoles ITU Premium European Cup, while South Africa swept the Potchefstroom ATU Duathlon African Championships. Banyoles ITU Premium European Cup Spanish athletes delighted the home crowd at Banyoles as they claimed four out of six podium places at the ITU Premium European Cup race. In the women’s race, Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) got her 2013 season off to the perfect start with victory. This was Jerzyk’s first international race of the year and she put in a fantastic display to win her first European Cup since 2011 in Karlovy Vary. Spain’s success continued with Ainhoa Murua and Tamara Gomez Garrido claiming the remaining podium positions to bring their medal total to four. Garrido will be particularly pleased as this is her first career podium. Fernando Alarza maintained his brilliant start to 2013, as he secured his second European Cup victory of the season in the men’s race. It came down to the final run as five athletes remained in contention approaching the last laps, but Alarza’s pace saw him streak ahead for gold. Frenchman Aurelien Lebrun finished behind Alarza for only his second ever podium in an European race and Vicente Hernandez cemented Spanish success with a bronze medal, mirroring Alarza’s finishes following his third place in Quarteira. Click here for full results. Potchefstroom ATU Duathlon African Championships South Africa scored big at the ATU Duathlon African Championships on Sunday, sweeping gold and silver in both the men’s and women’s elite races. Andrea Steyn enjoyed a lengthy win by nearly five minutes in the women’s race ahead of Liezl Van Der Merwe. In the men’s race, Johannes Du Plessis out ran compatriot Travis Johnston in the final 5km run portion to claim the title. Johnston settled in for silver a minute and a half later, while Roger Randrianambinina (MAD) brought it home just over two minutes after Johnston for bronze. Full results are here. Events, Continental Championships, Multisports, Duathlon, Regions, Africa, Europe, Sport Development, 2013-05-06T07:51:55+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/china_and_japan_qualify_for_2013_itu_triathlon_mixed_relay_world_championsh http://www.triathlon.org/site/china_and_japan_qualify_for_2013_itu_triathlon_mixed_relay_world_championsh#When:09:23:54Z The race for a chance to compete at the 2013 ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships heated up as China and Japan recently became the latest teams to qualify for the event with their top finishes at the ASTC Triathlon Asian Championships in Subic Bay. “Mixed Relay is an incredibly exciting event that athletes and spectators both rally around,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “Its dynamic nature and unpredictable lead changes combined with the team camaraderie make the electric race entertaining to watch both in person and on TV.” The berth is the first for China, while Japan garnered its third trip to the championship event, which follows a woman-man-woman-man super sprint format that sees each athlete swim, bike, and run. The top two teams from each Continental Championships automatically earn their National Federations a spot at the World Championships, which will be held on 21 July in Hamburg, Germany alongside the World Triathlon Series race. In addition to qualifying at the continental races, the fastest six teams at the 2012 World Championships already qualified for slots in this year’s race. In addition, the host country is granted one spot, while another three teams will be extended invitations for the mixed gender relay race championships. New Zealand and Australia earlier this year ensured their appearances in Hamburg with first and second place finishes, respectively, at the Mixed Relay Oceania Championships in Kinloch. Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy each qualified last year as the top teams from the 2012 World Championships. Additional teams selected from continental races in Europe, Africa and the Americas have yet to be contested. “It’s a very exciting event to take part of,” Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee said after assisting his team to a second World Championship title last year. “It would be great if we could get into the Olympics as well. It is very exciting, it changes so much throughout the whole race and it’s good to watch.” Events, Continental Championships, Media Centre, Press Release, Multisports, Team Triathlon, Regions, Asia, Sport Development, 2013-05-03T09:23:54+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/weekend_race_roundup_april_22_2013 http://www.triathlon.org/site/weekend_race_roundup_april_22_2013#When:09:42:29Z This weekend was a multisport dream with the return of Alistair Brownlee at the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, European champions named in Long Distance and Sprint Duathlon in Horst, and Barbados hosting the Bridgetown ITU Sprint Triathlon Pan American Cup. Here’s your pint sized recap for the hefty event weekend. Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego It was the talk of the triathlon town this weekend. Without going into too much detail, here’s a quick recap of how it all went down in San Diego. The women kicked off the action when Gwen Jorgensen ran her way into the history books on Friday, becoming the first U.S woman to win an ITU World Triathlon Series race on the back of a scintillating final leg. After leaving T2 just over a minute down on the leaders of Emma Moffatt and Sarah Groff, Jorgensen smashed out a 33 minute and 10 second 10km run split to overtake Moffatt with about one kilometre to go. Behind her, Great Britain’s Non Stanford pulled out a last-ditch sprint to claim silver ahead of Moffatt, who had lead for almost all except the final stages of the race. The #WTSSanDiego Elite Women’s highlights, featuring the incredible @gwenjorgensen, @nonstanford & @_moffy - youtu.be/PLKqnvDl_rE— ITU Triathlon (@ITUonline) April 20, 2013 Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee hadn’t raced an ITU event since the London 2012 Olympic Games, but the gold medallist showed nothing had changed when he led from start to finish in his 13th ITU World Triathlon Series win in San Diego on Saturday in a performance that was simply breathtaking in it’s complete dominance over a quality field. Brownlee was second out of the water, stayed in the lead pack of the bike throughout the race and then broke away on the run early on. While initially Portugal’s Joao Silva went with him, he dropped within the first lap and Brownlee kept increasing the gap, to win by an incredible 22 seconds from South Africa’s Richard Murray and Silva, in a total time of 1 hour 47 minutes and 16 seconds. Full men’s and women’s results can be found here. Just reading the tweets from @ituonline #sandiego results. Apparently @alibrownleetri walked the last 100m and still clocked 29:30! #legend— Warren Lewis Allison (@wlallison) April 21, 2013 San Diego also hosted the first ITU Paratriathlon International Event of the season. Close to 50 paratriathletes competing in various categories took to the start line on a stunning San Diego morning for the 2013 San... Age Group, Events, Multisports, Regions, 2013-04-22T09:42:29+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/european_sprint_duathlon_championship_titles_up_for_grabs_in_horst http://www.triathlon.org/site/european_sprint_duathlon_championship_titles_up_for_grabs_in_horst#When:09:03:02Z As part of the ETU Powerman festival of duathlon, the Sprint Distance European Championships will also take place in Horst an de Maas this weekend alongside the Long Distance Championships. Whilst supporters admire the endurance, strength and power of the Long Distance races, the Sprint competition – a 5km run/ 20km bike/ 2.5km run - excites the crowd with its speed and intensity. In the Junior Women’s field, Georgina Schwiening (GBR) and Anke De Boer (NED) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively last year. Both will return looking to at least go one better and should consider themselves in with a real chance of victory. There is a real mix of athletes in this field and it will be fascinating to see how Ivana Kuriackova (SVK) and Laura Gomez Ramon (ESP) handle this race, after opening their season with 1st and 3rd place at the Junior European Cup triathlon race in Quarteira. In the Junior Men’s field, Jorik Van Egdom (NED) will be a man on a mission who is sure to push on for every last second. In Horst last year, Van Egdom was denied victory by Richard Horton (GBR) by just four seconds to finish in second place. He opened this season with another second place, by the smallest of margins, less than one second, behind Raphael Montoya in the opening Junior European Cup in Quarteira. As it stands, Van Egdom has still to taste an international career victory in his fledgling career but he will be certainly one to watch here. Con Doherty (IRL) finished 3rd in that same race in Quarteira and has some Duathlon experience from Limerick in 2011. He has certainly started 2013 in great form which will look to continue. Dalien Stateff (ITA), Bryan De Kraker (NED) and Anders Lund Hansen (DEN) all return after making top ten finishes here last year and that will fill them with confidence heading into this weekend’s competition and they have every chance. In Paraduathlon, Edith Dasse (FRA), a three time European Duathlon Champion and double World Champion, will race in the Female Tri-4 category. The Tri-4 category will also see her compatriot David Travadon compete in the Men’s race. French athletes dominate the Paraduathlon start lists and in tri-3, Raphael Chaussin and Geoffrey Wersy will go head to head. Wersy has won the European Duathlon title in Limerick before so perhaps his experience will give him the edge. Once again, over 200 Age Group athletes will compete in the ETU Powerman European Sprint Distance Championship along with an open... Age Group, Events, Continental Championships, Media Centre, Press Release, Multisports, Duathlon, Long Distance Duathlon, 2013-04-17T09:03:02+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/a_strong_field_named_for_etu_powerman_european_long_distance_duathlon_champ http://www.triathlon.org/site/a_strong_field_named_for_etu_powerman_european_long_distance_duathlon_champ#When:08:33:39Z In a Festival of Duathlon competition, Elite, U23, Age Group and Open race athletes will compete in the ETU Powerman European Long Distance Duathlon Championships – 15km run/ 60km bike/ 7.5km – which, for the Elites and U23 athletes, will act as a qualifier for the World Games in Cali. Later on in the day, Juniors, Age Group, Paratriathletes and Open race athletes will also contest the ETU Powerman European Sprint Distance Championships. In an exciting twist, the complete podiums from the ITU 2012 Long Distance World Duathlon Championsips in Zofingen will once again do battle with more than a few challengers thrown in for good measure. In the Women’s Elite competition, Lucy Gossage (GBR) is the defending Champion from 2012. She defeated Sweden’s Eva Nystrom but the Swede gained her revenge in Zofingen. Nystrom is in confident mood ahead of this weekend’s race but she believes that Gossage will be amongst the challengers once again. She said: “Lucy (Gossage), Camille (Lindholm) and Susanne (Svendsen) will be the main contenders but there will be a whole other bunch of girls too. “My training has gone great over the last couple of months but I haven’t really raced so I don’t know how fast I can go. “My main goal this year is just to be on the podium but you always dream of winning.” Former champion Lyndholm (SWE) returned to racing in Horst last year but a bout of food poisoning left her weak before the race and she ended her race in tears during the first run. She will be looking for redemption this time round. Local duo May Kerstens and Marlies Groenewold (who finished second as a 25-29 Age Group competitor last year) will be backed strongly by the home crowd. Just like the Women’s Elite race, the Men’s podium from Zofingen will all do battle once again in this competition. The question on everyone’s lips is who will beat the Belgians? World Champion and defending Long Distance European Champion Joerie Vansteelant is the man to beat – and with five podium finishes in previous competitions in Horst, the field have a tough challenge on their hands. Vansteelant heads up a strong Belgian team which include Rob Woestenborghs (World Champion runner up in 2012), Jochen Neyrinck and Glen Laurens. The biggest competition for the Belgians will come in the shape of French trio Anthony Leduey (last year’s runner up), Yohann Vincent (former ETU European Cup winner) and David Duquesnoy. Denmark’s Soren Bystrup, a bronze... Events, Continental Championships, Multisports, Long Distance Duathlon, 2013-04-17T08:33:39+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/weekend_race_roundup_february_25_2013 http://www.triathlon.org/site/weekend_race_roundup_february_25_2013#When:09:28:00Z Triathlon action was not lacking this weekend with championship races plentiful across three continents. Cogne hosted the ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships, while the OTU Sprint Championships were held in Devonport. Races wrapped up in Lima with the ITU Pan American Cup and the Ibero American Championships. Check out this quick recap of the events to stay up on your triathlon results. 2013 Cogne ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships Reigning champions Helena Erbenova (CZE) and Pavel Andreev (RUS) defended their world championship titles on Saturday at the 2013 Cogne ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships. Erbenova led the elite women’s race line to line to stamp out her second title. She posted the top ski split by more than a minute to win in one hour, 20 minutes, 10 seconds. Elisabeth Sveum (NOR) stopped the clock more than three minutes later for silver, and Sarka Grabmullerova rounded out the podium for bronze 1:24:24. Andreev’s quest for his third consecutive title was harder fought. In the final meters, Andreev had to dig deep to move just centimeters ahead, claiming the win by just over half a second in 1:08:24. Daniel Antonioli (ITA) took silver for the second time, while Evgeny Kirillov (RUS) crossed over 10 seconds later for bronze. Click here for the full recap and results of the elite, Under23 and junior races. 2013 Cogne ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships – Mixed Relay The Mixed Relay event at the Winter Triathlon World Championships saw a see-saw battle between Russia and Norway’s first teams. Margarita Ovsyannikva secured Russia a solid lead as the first leg of the run, bike, ski four-person relay. U23 male champion Carl-Fredrik Hagen attempted to make up ground for Norway, but it was the women’s runner-up Elsiabeth Sveum who put her team back in the race with the fastest female split of the race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to hold off men’s world champion Pavel Andreev from overtaking the Norwegians with the top split of the day. Russia took gold in 1:45:51, while Norway clocked in for second at 1:46:14 and the Czech Republic took bronze four minutes later. For full results, click here. 2013 Lima ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup and Ibero American Championships Australia’s Ashlee Bailie looked prime to win the women’s race at the Lima ITU Pan American Cup and Ibero American Championships after cycling two minutes ahead of the field. However, Mexico’s Paola Diaz (MEX) battled back on the 10km... Events, Continental Championships, Continental Cup, Multisports, Winter Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, 2013-02-25T09:28:00+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/helena_erbenova_and_pavel_andreev_repeat_as_winter_triathlon_world_champion http://www.triathlon.org/site/helena_erbenova_and_pavel_andreev_repeat_as_winter_triathlon_world_champion#When:14:31:02Z Reigning champions Helena Erbenova (CZE) and Pavel Andreev (RUS) defended their world championship titles on Saturday at the 2013 Cogne ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships. Erbenova led the elite women’s race line to line to stamp out her second title. She blasted away straight from the start, rounding the first of three run laps in the top position, alongside teammate Sarka Grabmullerova (CZE). But by the end of the three-lap run course, Erbenova had etched out a minute and a half lead. Erbenova continued to forge ahead on the bike, while Norway’s Elisabeth Sveum moved into second. But Erbenova was too strong to catch, as she posted the top ski split by more than a minute to win in one hour, 20 minutes, 10 seconds. Sveum stopped the clock more than three minutes later for silver, and Grabmullerova rounded out the podium for bronze 1:24:24. Andreev’s quest for his third consecutive title was hard fought. The Russian trailed Kristian Monsen (NOR), Evgeny Kirillov (RUS) and Italy’s own Daniel Antonioli following the two-lap run course. But a massive bike leg put Andreev back in contention for the podium, as he moved behind teammate Kirillov and in front of Antonioli. Determined to avenge the title he relinquished to Andreev last year, Antonioli pushed the pace on the final discipline, skiing past the pair of Russians. However, Andreev matched Antonioli’s thirst for gold, and together the duo engaged in a terrific sprint for the finish. In the final meters, Andreev dug deep to move just centimeters ahead, claiming the win by just over half a second in 1:08:24. Antonioli took silver for the second time, while Kirillov crossed over 10 seconds later for bronze. In the women’s Under23 category, Margarita Ovsyannikva (RUS) reclaimed the world title for the first time in two years. She used solid run and bike splits to beat out teammate Tatiana Bregeda, who finished in second in 1:25:45. Italy’s Greta Vettorata finished more than 15 minutes later for bronze. In a surprise finish, Norway’s Carl-fredrik Hagen blew away pre-race favourites Pavel Yakimov (RUS) and Viktor Kuznetsov (RUS) in the men’s U23 race. Although Hagen got off to a slow start, he posted dominant bike and ski splits to overtake previous world champion Yakimov by more than three minutes. Yakimov took silver in 1:11:59, while Kuznetsov was third in 1:11:59. Italy’s Emilie Collomb impressed on home soil as she took her first world title in the junior... Events, Media Centre, Event Release, Multisports, Winter Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, 2013-02-23T14:31:02+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/sprint_oceania_titles_up_for_grabs_in_devonport http://www.triathlon.org/site/sprint_oceania_titles_up_for_grabs_in_devonport#When:14:44:41Z Race action is heating up in the southern hemisphere with the 2013 Devonport OTU Sprint Oceania Championships. Some top international names are set to contest the fast and furious 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run continental championship race. In addition to the elite competition, the men’s and women’s Under23 and junior races will be contested on Saturday. Elite Women Olympian Gwen Jorgensen (USA) will test her sprint speed against a large contingency of Aussies. Jorgensen, known for her explosive run speed, will face rising Australian stars Ashleigh Gentle and Charlotte McShane. Gentle is also quick off the bike, as she proved last year when she won the Tiszaujvaros World Cup. Although Jorgensen is the lone American on the start list, she will toe the line with Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson and Ireland’s Aileen Reid, who was previously known by her maiden name as Aileen Morrison. Stimpson and Reid will also challenge the field. Stimpson won her first World Cup race last year with a massive bike leg at the Guatape World Cup. Reid also recorded some impressive performances last year, earning her first ITU World Triathlon Series medal with silver in Madrid. Expect former duathlon world champion turned triathlete Katie Hewison (GBR) to impress on the run, as she blasted the competition at the 2012 Cancun World Cup with stunning speed. Women’s Start List Elite Men The men’s field features a less international start list than the women, with American Matt Chrabot and German Niklas Gaertner the only non-Aussies expected to compete. But that doesn’t mean competition will be any less fierce. Olympian Brendan Sexton (AUS), who claimed the Oceania championship in Devonport on the Olympic distance course last year, will no doubt look to add the sprint title to his name. But Sexton will be challenged for the win with up-and-comers Aaron Royle (AUS) and Ryan Fisher (AUS) hungry to make names for themselves. Royle proved himself to be a strong competitor in Auckland when he won the men’s Under23 world title in October with top swim and run splits. Fisher also had a successful race in Auckland in the U23 category with a top 5 finish. If that race is any indicator, look for Fisher to set a strong pace on both the swim and bike, as he one of the fastest swimmers and cyclist at the 2012 World Championships. Men’s Start List The junior women will take off first on Saturday at 11:30 am local time. The junior men will follow at 12:45pm,... Events, Continental Championships, Media Centre, Event Release, Multisports, Sprint Distance Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, 2013-02-20T14:44:41+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_winter_triathlon_world_championship_titles_to_be_decided_in_cogne http://www.triathlon.org/site/itu_winter_triathlon_world_championship_titles_to_be_decided_in_cogne#When:09:40:23Z The winter triathlon season will culminate this weekend in Cogne, Italy with the 2013 ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships. Defending champions Helena Erbenova (CZE) and Pavel Andreev (RUS) will each attempt to preserve their respective titles in the run, bike, ski race on Saturday, February 23. Along with the elite races, the men’s and women’s Under23, junior and age-group races will be contested in Italy for the first time since the championship’s inception in Brusson in 2002. Women’s Preview Helena Erbenova will be the woman to beat this year as she looks to claim her second consecutive world championship title. Erbenova overtook 2011 world champion Borghild Løvset (NOR) last year to earn her first world title, but recently finished one minute, 28 seconds behind the Norwegian powerhouse at the ETU Winter Triathlon Championships in Tartu. However, with 2012 runner-up Maija Oravamäki and Løvset missing from the start list, Erbenova could go unchallenged for another title. Russia’s Tatiana Charochkina could be dangerous, as she just missed out on a medal at the ETU Winter Triathlon Championships, while European Championships bronze medallist Elisabeth Sveum (NOR) will attempt her first elite world championship medal. Click here for live updates are provided by Federazione Italiana Triathlon.Men’s Preview Reigning champion Andreev is the clear favourite heading into the men’s race, as he is coming off a win at the Tartu ETU Winter Triathlon Championships. Andreev has medalled in the race on three previous occasions, and has won the last two years. Last year’s runner up Daniel Antonioli (ITA) will put up stiff competition for the title, but his form is questionable after finishing fifth to a strong team of Russians at the ETU Championships. Both men will have strong support from deep teams, with Italy having entered seven men to compete. Meanwhile, the four men representing Russia occupied the top four spots in Tartu. Russia’s Maxim Kuzmin and Dmitry Bregeda will no doubt be looking to make their first elite podiums after medalling at the European Championships. Under23 Women The Under23 women’s race will be made up of a small contingency consisting of just four athletes. Margarita Ovsyannikva (RUS) looks to be a top threat as the veteran competitor in the category with three years’ experience in the age group. However, while she won in 2011 and finished second last year, she will face tough competition from teammate... Events, Media Centre, Event Release, Multisports, Winter Triathlon, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, 2013-02-20T09:40:23+00:00 http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/essential_triathlon_training_tips_bike_safety http://www.triathlon.org/site/essential_triathlon_training_tips_bike_safety#When:08:56:04Z So far in the Essential Triathlon Training Tips, we’ve given you tips to get through your swim and transitions not only faster, but safer as well. Now that you’ve conquered those drills, it’s time to move onto the longest portion of triathlon – the bike. Sandwiched between the swim and run, you will likely have less punch on the bike, but will also need to conserve energy for the run. Creating your optimal race plan takes time and practice. Check out this video for tips on conserving energy while maintaining an optimal velocity with drills to perfect your cornering and bike control. It also offers tips on safety and injury prevention with a review of proper bike fit. These drills will no doubt help get you from the bike to the run with the fastest time possible. While mastering the bike, check out these spectacular World Triathlon Series courses to put your skills to the test. If you’re looking for a scenic ride, sign up for the iconic course at the birthplace of triathlon in San Diego or compare yourself to the 2012 Olympians with a spin on the Olympic bike course in London. For those of you hankering for a challenge, Auckland and Kitzbühel have what you’re looking for with epic climbs. Age Group, Multisports, Regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, 2013-02-19T08:56:04+00:00