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:18:17:15Z 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 2012-02-10T18:17:15+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:00:34:54Z 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 2012-02-10T00:34:54+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/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 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:11:00:49Z 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 2012-01-26T11:00:49+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:22:25:04Z 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 2012-01-17T22:25:04+00:00