Thursday, April 30, 2015
Adam Walkers seven ways to improve your swim this spring
Britains recordbreaking swimmer shares his advice on kickstarting your swim this season
Fingal Tri Junior Participation Day
Fingal Tri Junior Participation Day - May 9th -The National Aquatic Centre
Challenge Fuerteventura Podium
2014 Athlete of the Year Eimear Mullan got her season off to a great start with a podium finish at Challenge Fuerteventura.
Xterra Tahiti 2015 in pics
Plenty of multisport bounty at this years inaugural offroad race in the South Pacific
ITU extends contract with Lagardère Unlimited
ITU is pleased to announce it has extended its World Triathlon Series (WTS) contract with Lagardère Unlimited until 2020.
“Continuing our partnership with Lagardère Unlimited is a very positive move for triathlon, as it further solidifies the World Triathlon Series as a major sporting event on the global index. We have seen incredible growth in terms of both participation and interest in triathlon since we first began our partnership with Lagardère six years ago. The continuation of our partnership will only further fuel the evolution of both triathlon and the World Triathlon Series,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado.
ITU first began its partnership with Lagardère in 2009 with the creation of the World Triathlon Series, which offers Olympic Qualifying Points and sees elite triathletes vie for World Championship titles across a succession of races in iconic locations.
While the Series first began with eight races across the world, it has now grown to include 10 events on every continent, with the WTS having touched down in Africa for the first time last year and in the Middle East this season.
The extension of the contract ensures the existence of the WTS beyond 2016, when the current contract is slated to expire, with Lagardère set to organize a minimum of five of the World Triathlon Series events moving forward.
“The ITU World Triathlon Series plays a central role for our global endurance and mass events business. It was a logical step to extend our strong relationship with ITU beyond 2016. At the same time we could use the opportunity to adjust the sponsorship structure of the ITU World Triathlon Series, being more flexible to accommodate the growing interest from cities and other stakeholders around the globe. We look forward to further developing Triathlon and the ITU World Triathlon Series into one of the leading elite and multisport products, as it is a premium platform for people who want to live a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Christian Toetzke, Global CEO of Lagardère Unlimited’s Endurance and Mass Participation business.
In association with the deal, ITU has signed a new agreement with Lagardère-owned IEC in Sports. The Sweden-based media house will continue to be responsible for selling and the host production of the WTS live broadcasts, as well as producing the official Series magazine show. To date, the Series has been broadcast in more than 140 countries on an annual basis.
“Distributing...
Sub1hr bike session Confidence booster
Try this bike drill for beginners to help you judge your race pace
The Weekend Warrior on Crosscountry running
Our man Martyn Brunt on his annual lovehate mainly hate relationship with XC runs
Lazer Wasp Air bike helmet review
Brutally docked tail but still plenty of aero benefit and comfy to boot
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Exercises to help triathletes recover from injury quickly and safely
220s resident physio offers some safe exercises you can do to maintain fitness increase strength and speed up recovery
Women needed for Long Course Weekend relay teams
Tackle the swim bike run in a group of six and help boost UK triathlons female participation
Speedo Fastskin Elite Mirror Goggle review
Comfortable and sleek these could be Speedos best pool goggles to date though the price tag is high
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Columbia Threadneedle Rankings Report Cape Town 2015
After four rounds of the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series, things are starting to get interesting at the top of the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. Let’s see what we learned form Cape Town.
Women’s Review
Cape Town proved to be a huge return to form for the Great Britain team. The previous three races had yielded an uncharacteristic best of just two 17th place finishes, for a squad which has suffered from the injury and absence of its star names and consistent podium finishers. Helen Jenkins and Vicky Holland were returning to WTS competition for the first time since Hamburg last July hoping to improve that record.
It proved to be a marquee day for Vicky Holland who would take her first World Triathlon Series podium with victory in her 26th career WTS race. With Helen Jenkins seventh and a career best result from Emma Pallant in tenth – she had never previously been inside the top 25 – that was the first time since last year’s Cape Town event the British women had secured three of the top ten finishing positions.
In the absence of the Gwen Jorgensen in South Africa, Team USA may only have secured one of the three podium spots this time around but if anything, their strength in depth was perhaps enhanced further. Katie Zaferes (second), Kirsten Kasper (sixth) and Chelsea Burns (ninth) all matched or improved on their best ever World Triathlon Series results and in so doing continued the sequence of having at least three top ten finishes by U.S. women in all four of the 2015 events. The USA now has a total of seven women who have finished in a top ten position at least once in the 2015 World Triathlon Series. Kasper’s result also makes her the biggest rankings mover at Cape Town rising 39 places from 63rd to 24th.
For Zaferes, three second places and one third make her the only athlete, male or female, to have made the podium in every race so far this season and with that she now takes over pole position in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. With five events plus the Grand Final to count towards the year-end total that represents a great start to her 2015 campaign.
Much like the British, Cape Town was also a great day for Germany. Without a single top ten finish in the first three races, Sophie Saller (fourth), Rebecca Robisch (fifth) and Anne Haug (eighth) took three in Cape Town, with those results representing career best WTS finishes for both Saller and Robisch.
Cape Town also represented the welcome return to the World Series for...
25min recipe Warm chicken salad
Light on the stomach but full of colour flavour and slowrelease carbs
June 2015
The Road to Rio how the GB Paratri team train to win 45 ways to race faster bike skills masterclass our big wetsuits grouptest
Four of 2015s best bike multitools review
With great tool selection and slick looks these four models have plenty to keep our Inspector Gadget satisfied
Can you wear contact lenses for swimming
The risk of bacterial contamination means this is a risky route to take we explain your options for training and race day
European Duathlon Silverware
The Irish Team put in some fantastic performances at the European Duathlon Championships over the weekend picking up no less than four medals.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Rankings Report Cape Town 2015
After four rounds of the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series, things are starting to get interesting at the top of the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. Let’s see what we learned form Cape Town.
Women’s Review
Cape Town proved to be a huge return to form for the Great Britain team. The previous three races had yielded an uncharacteristic best of just two 17th place finishes, for a squad which has suffered from the injury and absence of its star names and consistent podium finishers. Helen Jenkins and Vicky Holland were returning to WTS competition for the first time since Hamburg last July hoping to improve that record.
It proved to be a marquee day for Vicky Holland who would take her first World Triathlon Series podium with victory in her 26th career WTS race. With Helen Jenkins seventh and a career best result from Emma Pallant in tenth – she had never previously been inside the top 25 – that was the first time since last year’s Cape Town event the British women had secured three of the top ten finishing positions.
In the absence of the Gwen Jorgensen in South Africa, Team USA may only have secured one of the three podium spots this time around but if anything, their strength in depth was perhaps enhanced further. Katie Zaferes (second), Kirsten Kasper (sixth) and Chelsea Burns (ninth) all matched or improved on their best ever World Triathlon Series results and in so doing continued the sequence of having at least three top ten finishes by U.S. women in all four of the 2015 events. The USA now has a total of seven women who have finished in a top ten position at least once in the 2015 World Triathlon Series. Kasper’s result also makes her the biggest rankings mover at Cape Town rising 39 places from 63rd to 24th.
For Zaferes, three second places and one third make her the only athlete, male or female, to have made the podium in every race so far this season and with that she now takes over pole position in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings. With five events plus the Grand Final to count towards the year-end total that represents a great start to her 2015 campaign.
Much like the British, Cape Town was also a great day for Germany. Without a single top ten finish in the first three races, Sophie Saller (fourth), Rebecca Robisch (fifth) and Anne Haug (eighth) took three in Cape Town, with those results representing career best WTS finishes for both Saller and Robisch.
Cape Town also represented the welcome return to the World Series for...
ITU continues commitment to development with camp
ITU recently welcomed 12 athletes from eight countries to a training camp in New Plymouth, New Zealand as a part of its scholarship development program. The athletes that were selected have shown a high level of competence in World Cup or Continental Cup events and are looking to qualify for Rio 2016, but need support in order to do so.
The primary objective of this project is to provide resources and expertise to athletes, while also increasing the number of coaches from emerging/developing National Federations gaining experience in the preparation and support of athletes competing at a World Cup level.
Manuel Huerta, who represented the US at the 2012 London Olympics, but has since switched his National Federation affiliation to Puerto Rico, was one of the camp participants.
“It’s great. Having the ITU staff, coaches and athletes from around the world with the same goals as you not only helps you on race day but motivates me even more to go after my career goals. It’s an opportunity to get support at races that I wouldn’t get from my country. It also provides me help to my qualification process for Rio,” Huerta said.
Estonia’s Aleksandr Latin, who also took part in the camp, agreed with Huerta saying that being a part of Team ITU allows him the opportunity to focus on his training and performance without expending energy worrying about the additional pressures involved with traveling to a race.
“It means a lot to have such a good team around you. You always have someone to train with, and it is big financial help as well. Team ITU coaches are very experienced and they are always keen to help me with some good advice such as cornering techniques or race tactics. I always use this opportunity to get as much information as it is possible,” said Latin, who also helps out fellow teammates and competitors by serving as a translator when needed.
A veteran triathlete who showed early promise in her youth, Slovenia’s Mateja Simic joined the men as a camp participant. Despite a successful triathlon career early on, Simic found it difficult to make the jump from a top junior athlete to a competitive elite athlete until she began working with Team ITU.
“I didn’t find the right environment to move to the elite level, but then in 2011 I found it when I was selected for Team ITU for the first time,” Simic said. “That is when I began to understand that I could become an elite triathlete, even I was already 31.
That same year, Simic...
Get Muddy Mauritius race report
British pro Sam Gardner reports on the third edition of this beautiful yet challenging offroad triathlon
Sub1hr bike session TT turbo
Follow this advancedlevel bike workout and come race day youll be primed for a tankemptying performance
WTS Cape Town 2015 in pictures
Alistair Brownlee and Vicky Holland make it a British gold frenzy in South Africa
Paratriathlon Development Day Kilkenny
Another successful Paratriathlon Development Day was held on Sunday in the Watershed Sports Centre, Kilkenny.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
WTS Cape Town Alistair Brownlee wins first World Triathlon Series title of 2015
Brownlee indestructible as he powers away for first World Triathlon Series victory of 2015 in Cape Town
WTS Cape Town Alistair Brownlee claims Cape to win first World Triathlon Series title of 2015
Brownlee indestructible as he powers away for first World Triathlon Series victory of 2015 in Cape Town
Alistair Brownlee captures World Triathlon Series in 18 in Cape Town
Not even a stumble on the run could stop Alistair Brownlee‘s return to the top of the World Triathlon Series podium in Cape Town on Sunday, as the most successful athlete in series history, he took his total number of titles to 18.
While he tripped early on in the run, Brownlee made his way up to the lead group of Javier Gomez Noya, Richard Murray and Vincent Luis quickly, before blowing them away in the final 1500m. In his first WTS race in 2015 after returning from injury, Brownlee said he wasn’t sure what to expect, but was obviously thrilled with the result.
“Of course you never know, all you can do is train as hard as you can and put everything in that you can on the day. I knew I wasn’t that fit and I didn’t have good legs in that first lap to be honest… The whole thing was tough, but I’m so glad to have the win,” Brownlee said.
In the one-lap 750m swim, shortened due to weather conditions, it was the reigning Cape Town champion who took the race out strongly. Gomez led in the field from the swim, followed by France’s Dorian Coninx and Aurelien Raphael, Russia’s Dmitry Polyanskiy and Spain’s Francesc Godoy. However the shortened distance did nothing to split the field and a lead group of around 45 athletes formed on the first lap.
While the lead group initially pushed out an advantage of 35 seconds in the first two laps, the pace slowed and the chase caught their tail. This meant that for the majority of the remaining six bike laps, the lead group included almost the entire field. While Brownlee, Murray, Alessandro Fabian, Jonas Schomburg and others tried at times to breakaway, none of them stuck as the group seemed content to stick together until the second transition.
In a busy T2, positioning was crucial and it was Brownlee who didn’t miss a beat on his return. Despite his lower than usual start number putting him in the middle of a busy transition, he negotiated it smoothly and hit the run first.
Early on, a lead group of six set themselves apart from the field. Led by Brownlee, Gomez, Murray, Fernando Alarza, Vincent Luis and Pierre Le Corre set a torrid pace. One lap in saw Le Corre dropped, and Murray move to the front in front of a thrilled home crowd.
On the next lap Alarza fell back, leaving it to four, before Brownlee took an uncharacteristic stumble. That saw him lose touch with the leading trio, but not for long, as he propelled himself back into the lead within the lap. With 3km to go, Luis fell off the front, which seemed to...
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Cape Town gives Holland first WTS win
Under foggy skies and with a slight chill in the air, Great Britain’s Vicky Holland announced her return from injury in style with her first ever World Triathlon Series win. A late surge on the run gave the Brit just what she needed to hold off the USA’s Katie Zaferes and Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig. With silver, Zaferes moved into the top spot on the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings.
Zaferes got her day started with a bang as she zoomed to the top of the swim pack and led the 48-deep field around the one-lap 750m swim, which was shortened due to water temperatures. Brazil’s Pamela Oliveira joined the American as one of the first athletes to emerge, with Great Britain’s Helen Jenkins also seemingly un-phased by the chilly temps with a strong position out of the Atlantic.
Together with Flora Duffy (BER), the foursome powered away on the first of eight bike laps in an attempt to create distance between themselves and the powerful Spirig and Sarah True (USA). But with the reigning Olympic gold medallist back racing for the first time in two years, the gap was short lived. At the end of the second lap, the distance was diminished and a 27-person group was created.
Despite holding down a part-time job while also training after graduating from Oxford University, South Africa’s Mari Rabie showed her tenacity as she dominated the front of the bike pack lap after lap alongside Duffy and Spirig.
Meanwhile True, Zaferes, Erin Densham (AUS), Anne Haug (GER) and Junior World Champ Laura Lindemann (GER) stayed tucked safely into the middle of the pack.
Spirig came roaring into transition and hammered out in front with Vendula Frintova (CZE) and Haug in the first half kilometer of the 10km run. Holland picked up the pace and reeled in the ladies, which drug the rest of the chase up making them a half-dozen deep pack on the first of four laps.
Young German Sophia Saller took her spot at the front of the run pack and held onto it for half of the four-lap run, alongside Holland. The group remained together until the fourth lap with Holland gunned ahead in a well-timed break. The final kick was just enough to keep Zaferes and Spirig away, giving her her first WTS gold.
WTS Cape Town Vicky Holland claims spectacular victory
Brit pulls away for first WTS win after shortened swim to claim Cape Town crown
Friday, April 24, 2015
Top 10 tri nutrition tips
Sports nutritionist and author Renee McGregor gives her essential nutrition advice for triathletes
Tenerife Top Training Partnership
Tenerife Top Training Appointed Official Warm Weather Training Venue
How to pace your run in a triathlon
Follow our raceday advice to ensure you maintain momentum and dont burn out on the last leg of your race
The Great Vegan Protein Book review
New tome from Celine Steen and Tamasin Noyes comes packed with proteinrich recipes
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Press conference highlights from #WTSCapeTown
The World Triathlon Series returns to Cape Town, South Africa for only the second time in what will be the fourth stop of the circuit. Today some of the athletes took the time to meet with the local media. Below are some of the things they had to say.
Henri Schoeman (RSA)
On getting back into the top ten this year going into Sunday
It is good to back in the top ten again. I had some trouble last year in 2014, but it is great to be back. It is always great to be a part of a breakaway amongst some of the best in the world. I try to give it my best on the bike with the hope to keep the breakaway going. I have been working on my running, it has been my weak point—it has come a long way from when I first started and it is looking good this year. I am looking forward to keep going this year and staying in the top ten.
On racing on home soil
I have had four weeks since Auckland, I came straight back right after that race to come home and prepare for the Cape Town race. And preparation has gone really well, I am really looking forward to racing on Sunday.
Richard Murray (RSA)
On it being a privilege to race at home in South Africa
Yeah, I think the one biggest thing I notice when I get home is the support is tenfold much better at the events. I have family, friends and a lot of people I know that actually stand there as we get led up to the start point. I would say that that is a little bit of a daunting task at times, but it is a privilege as well. I am very glad that the race has made its way to Cape Town and I hope it is going to grow and grow each year and get bigger.
On the pressure to get on the podium to represent South Africa
Yeah I think that is an interesting one, you can only control when you are there what you can control so on the day anything can happen. But it is definitely a goal to come up on that podium and to hear a South African national anthem in South Africa, which would be a great one. With the guys, we have a consistency of South African triathletes coming through, so it is just a matter of time before we get three slots someday, maybe at a major Games or something so I am definitely looking forward to being a part of it and moving forward on that front.
Mario Mola (ESP)
On getting another first place finish on Sunday
Well we will see. That question has a tough answer because it takes a lot of energy from me. Hopefully as I have done in the past races I will just try to do my best. As Richard said you control what you do and we...
Pulse Bull Wall Aquathlon Preview
The first race in the Pulse Bull Wall Aquathlon Series for 2015 is nearly here, and entry is now open!
Tacx Satori Smart turbo trainer review
Packing a Smart upgrade we see if Tacxs Satori turbo trainer delivers the goods
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
WTS Cape Town 2015 preview
Ali Brownlee faces stacked field on return while Jorgensen omission leaves womens crown up for grabs
Chrissie Wellington on How to increase swim speed and distance
Fourtime Ironman world champ offers six key tips on how to build up to Irondistance
Walker Brothers Fleet 56mm Clinchers bike wheels review
Brilliant feel roll beautifully and astoundingly good value
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Mixed Team Relay Champs Open
Mixed Team Relay Club Championships, qualifier for European Club Championships
Alistair Brownlee returns to WTS in Cape Town
The elite men’s race will enjoy a power loaded startlist this weekend with eight of the top ten Columbia Threadneedle ranked men lining up, in addition to Alistair Brownlee. The weekend of racing marks only the second time that a WTS has been hosted on the continent of Africa. With the women kicking off the weekend’s competitions on Saturday, the men will take to the the start line the following day on Sunday, April 26.
Cape town offers a technical and flat pavement course following a progression of two 750km swim laps in chilly waters.
While the younger Brownlee brother has been busy dominating the WTS circuit, with back-to-back wins in Auckland and Gold Coast, Cape Town will be the host site of the 2015 debut of the other Brownlee. Older brother, Alistair Brownlee (GBR) kicks off his season by competing in his first WTS since his victory at the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Edmonton. Brownlee has spent the first part of the year recovering from an injury, but will without a doubt come fresh and well prepared to perform at full capacity this weekend. A healthy Alistair almost insures an unstoppable execution on the course.
With the return of Brownlee, Cape Town is set to also provide the return of the healthy rivalry between Brownlee and Javier Gomez Noya (ESP). Gomez, who also has had season setbacks due to injury, has used the early 2015 season to improve on his racing. But with numbers making the comparison, Brownlee stacks up just a little bit higher than the reigning World Champion. Brownlee currently holds the record for the most WTS race wins at 17, while Gomez sits at 10 victories, a two-way tie between him and Jonathan Brownlee.
Gomez might also benefit from having three other teammates out sharing the course. Spain is set to present a strong roster in Cape Town, as they hold four out of the top 10 spots on the start list. Mario Mola enters the race with a gold medal from Abu Dhabi and a silver from Gold Coast and could likely make the podium again if he performs in the same consistency. Fernando Alarza and Vicente Hernandez also join the ranks of the Spanish representation. Alarza and Hernandez have both come just short of the podium, each tallying a fourth-place finish in previous WTS races earlier this year.
South Africa’s own Richard Murray, Henri Schoeman and Wian Sullwald will all get a chance to race on home soil this weekend. Murray has been having a strong season so far this year highlighting a bronze medal from...
Best trisuits review 2015
We try 10 of 2015s top trisuits to find out which ones will get you from starting horn to finishing tape with the biggest smile
Crown up for grabs in Cape Town
Cape Town marks the fourth stop and the third continent on the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Series. Having just been added to the WTS line up last year, the South African course is a standard distance affair, with the women set to start the competition on Saturday followed by the men on Sunday.
The Cape Town course is known for its flat ride on the bike, but its very cold waters on the swim, meaning weaker swimmers will get an added boost on the wetsuit-required swim. Last year we saw an early lead pack form of those who were able to conquer the chilly waters.
With Gwen Jorgensen opting not to make the trip down to South Africa, the top of the podium is up for grabs. The women’s start list includes two of her compatriots who could easily both be in contention to win their first WTS race of the season.
Apart from Jorgensen, Katie Zaferes has the most podium finishes of any other elite woman this year, finishing second in Abu Dhabi and Auckland and third in Gold Coast. Zaferes is No. 2 in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings but will be sporting No. 1 in Cape Town for the first time. Although a fairy recent newcomer to the sport, only competing since 2013, she has shown she is a strong opponent in the short amount of time on the circuit. She has three world cup victories under her belt from the past two seasons and is in the perfect position this weekend to possibly claim her first WTS gold.
Sarah True stands out as the other American that could capitalize on the void in the start list from Jorgensen. A top 10 finish in Abu Dhabi and a silver in Gold Coast makes her second on the startlist. A win from True in Cape Town would give her just her second WTS win after claiming gold for the first time at World Triathlon Stockholm last year.
But the claiming of the Cape is not only in the hands of the U.S. women. Flora Duffy (BER) is No. 3 on the start list and is expected to be a top competitor this weekend. The start to her year has been strong, but it has also been busy. Coming into South Africa she is recovering from her fifth-place finish in Gold Coast and a win at the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championships on April 18. Known for her skills on the bike, it remains to be seen if Duffy’s legs will be rested enough to make an impact in Cape Town.
While she hasn’t started in a WTS race since winning Olympic gold in 2012, watch out for Nicola Spirig (SUI), who is set ot make her 2015 WTS season debut.
Spirig tallied some World Cup victories in 2013 and 2014,...
April 2015 podcast now live
The Ultimate Triathlon Joe Beers peak training tips and 220s new pogo master
Exclusive Train with Dave Scott
The 6x world Ironman champ is coming to the UK this summer and 220 readers will have the chance to train with him in person
Chrissie Wellington on Swim training out of the pool
Fourtime Ironman champ provides some drills and gym exercises to keep your swimming on track
More Challenge Roth 2015 spots up for grabs get tweeting
Dozens of spots available for half and full distance races to be given to best ambassadors of Challenge races
Monday, April 20, 2015
Windsor Triathlon race tips
2014 sprint winner Mark Yeoman shares his advice for success at the Windsor Tri
Avoid disaster at your first triathlon
Is your multisport debut just weeks away Dont miss our essential tips and sessions to reach the start line with confidence
SERE Down Royal Duathlon Results
the third and final race of the SERE Down Royal Duathlon series hosted by Lisburn Triathlon Club.
Merida Warp Tri 5000 triathlon bike review
Our expert reviewer checks out Meridas midrange triathlon bike the Warp Tri 5000
Cannes International Triathlon Surprise win for Italys Giulio Molinari
Reigning Kona champ Sebastian Kienle comes third in his first race since Hawaii
Friday, April 17, 2015
Triathlon Ireland AGM
This year, the Triathlon Ireland AGM will be held in conjunction with the 2015 Cycling Show. The cycling show takes place in the RDS on 18th & 19th of April.
Sub1hr session Fasted run
This intermediatelevel run drill is great for developing fatburning economy
Chrissie Wellington on Cheap triathlon gear
Ultimately you compete using your heart and your head not your wallet says Britains fourtime Kona champ
Chrissie Wellington on Budget triathlon gear
Ultimately you compete using your heart and your head not your wallet says Britains fourtime Kona champ
High Performance Para Triathlete
Triathlon Ireland is pleased to announce a new arrival to our High Performance Para Team - Aidan McGlynn.
British women flock to Ironman 703 Pays dAix 2015
Lucy Gossage Susie Cheetham and Alice Hector among six British female pros racing
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Garmin Vector 2 and Vector 2S power meters launched
Garmin redesigns pods with LED lights to simplify installation
10 ways to take your Ironman racing to new heights this year
Coach Joe Beer presents his top tips and sessions to take your longdistance performance up a notch
Jenson Button Trust Triathlon launches team challenge
Teams of three can enter challenge this July with two rounds to be held over race day
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Help for Heroes latest Arch to Arc weekend not for fainthearted
Third training session held in Yorkshire for around 30 LondontoParis hopefuls
Aero helmets for triathletes how and why to use them
Their looks turn heads and will make yours more aerodynamic We explain how aero lids can help you reach T2 faster
Aplauda Aquathlon Results
It was another fantastic sunny day down at West Wood Club, Clontarf this weekend, a perfect setting for the first Aquathlon in the Aplauda Aquathlon Series for kids and adults.
Five ways to get better at hilly runs
Feed your inner mountain goat to overtake the pack this season
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Tri De Spice in pics
220s editor Helen was in the Caribbean last weekend for the Tri de Spice Here are the best pics
Columbia Threadneedle Rankings Report
Welcome to the first Columbia Threadneedle Rankings Report, a new series initiated by Columbia Threadneedle Investments which will be posted after each ITU World Triathlon Series event.
The Report will review the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings and results to identify trends and spot interesting statistics and stories as the 2015 season develops.
Women’s Review
The 2015 season continues to be dominated by Team USA. A podium sweep on the Gold Coast from Gwen Jorgensen, Sarah True and Katie Zaferes represents only the second time in WTS history that one country has filled all of the podium spots in one race. World Triathlon Hamburg 2011 and the famous ‘three Emma’s’ – Snowsill, Jackson and Moffatt for Australia – was the only previous single country podium domination.
Of the nine WTS podium medals presented so far from the three races in 2015, the U.S. women have now earned seven, taking their medal haul since 2009 to 23. That domination is reflected in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings after Gold Coast, with four U.S. women in the top ten positions. The contrast with the U.S. men is quite stark, with Jarrod Shoemaker’s 2009 World Triathlon Hamburg gold being their only medal to date.
It was also a good day on the Gold Coast for the Dutch. Rachel Klamer (sixth) moved up 17 places in the Rankings to 14th, while Maaike Caelers (tenth) moved up 13 places to 20th, both having their best results of 2015 to date. While, predictably, Gwen Jorgensen had the fastest run of the day, Caelers also had a great day on the run course. Her 34:01 split was more than 30 seconds faster than anyone other than Gwen and allowed her to gain 17 places over 10km, having left T2 in 27th position. Caelers is definitely one to watch as the season progresses.
The biggest move up the Rankings after the Gold Coast was from Japan’s Juri Ide. A rapid progression of 52nd / 31st / 11th place-finishes has moved her up from 45th to 24th after three races. Ide has earned three bronze medals in her WTS career to date, so expect her to continue to improve as the season develops.
Another athlete in form is Ireland’s Aileen Reid. Like Ide, she has improved in every race (24th / 15th / 7th) and is now ranked 10th ahead of the next event in Cape Town. With three previous WTS podium finishes on her CV, Reid certainly has the pedigree to move further up the rankings as the season progresses.
Finally, Flora Duffy continues to impress. After securing Bermuda’s first ever WTS...
Seamus 17th at ETU Duathlon
Seamus Allison represented Ireland in the 50-54yrs Age Group at the ETU European Duathlon Championships over the weekend, held in the Dutch City of Horst.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Do you need a triathlon bike for 703 and Ironman races
Our experts answer the common question of whether the trusty road bike is good enough for a longerdistance triathlon
How to improve your swim in the gym
Cut drag and tone swimspecific muscles out of the pool with these exercises
Specialized Shiv Elite tri bike review
Little change for 2015 aside from a new paint job but does that mean its still one of the best tri bikes out there
WTS Gold Coast 2015 in pics
All the best images from Australia where Jonny Brownlee and Gwen Jorgensen won again
Saturday, April 11, 2015
WTS Gold Coast Gwen Jorsensen wins eighth consecutive title
Clean sweep of the medals for Team USA with Sarah True and Katie Zaferes sharing the womens podium
Jonathan Brownlee wins back to back WTS titles
Jonathan Brownlee returned to the top of the podium with a convincing victory on Saturday at the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast, delivering him back to back wins in the series. He was the master, rallying the lead group on the bike to set himself up with the winning break he needed, stopping the clock at 1:46:53 and earning his tenth WTS win.
It was the first time winning Yokohama and Madrid back in 2013 that Brownlee had won consecutive WTS races.
“At the start of the season I had an awful race, it was a little bit of a shock really because I got a lot of things wrong so I knew I did not want to make those mistakes again. Today it started really well, had a great start in the swim, had to get around a few people to get on Richard Varga’s feet and then we had a gap, I saw the four of us and knew I just had to ride aggressive and on tempo,” said Brownlee. “
On my run I knew that if I could be steady and get them behind me by thirty then it was going to take a great run to catch me but luckily they didn’t.”
In almost a repeat of the 2009 ITU Junior Men’s World Championship race, exp:tag_this}Mario Mola{/exp:tag_this} claimed silver with the fastest run split (29:44). In 2009, Mola beat Brownlee to take the junior men’s world championship title. Spain’s Javier Gomez rounded out the podium, and in a great day for the men’s Spanish team, Vicente Hernandez came in fourth.
Under partly cloudy skies but temperate conditions, two-laps of a 1.5km swim was led out by the familiar figure of Richard Varga (SVK). Right on his heels was Brownlee, once onto the bike he established his role as the conductor, pushing the group of four that also included Igor Polyanskiy and Dmitry Polyanskiy (RUS) to make sure they worked together and kept the pace high for the majority of the eight-lap technical course.
They continued to extend their lead from the chase group that contained all the big names Javier Gomez, Mario Mola, Richard Murray but at the start of the six lap Igor Plyanskiy crashed going into a corner reducing the lead group to three. The second and third chase groups merged and set about reducing the one minute gap.
Murray, Benjamin Shaw (IRL), Brendan Sexton (AUS), Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Ben Kanute (USA), Gomez and Ryan Bailie (AUS) all contributed to the effort and at the final change the gap was down to a 21-second deficit and applying some pressure to the three up front.
Brownlee was the first to clear out and the first...
Jorgensen makes ITU history with Gold Coast win
An uncontested run to the finish line saw Gwen Jorgensen (USA) grab another slice ITU history as she claimed her eighth consecutive WTS victory on Saturday at the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast. The victory marked the longest-running WTS streak of any elite woman since the inception of the series.
Joining her on the podium were fellow Americans Sarah True claiming silver and Katie Zaferes bronze in a USA cleansweep that has not happened since the Australian’s Emma Moffat, Emma Snowsill and Emma Jackson achieved it at the WTS Hamburg in 2011.
“I don’t think you ever have a perfect race but I was certainly thrilled to come out of the water and be in the front pack right away. I mean one, two, three for Team USA, I don’t think you can get any better standing on the podium and looking over and seeing the other two girls and hearing the national anthem, we could not ask for anything more,” said Jorgensen.
“I look back and some of the triathlon legends and it doesn’t seem like I am at that level at all because I just try to come in here and do my best.”
Jorgensen wore the number two today after the number one spot was left unoccupied in a fitting tribute to the late Jackie Fairweather, who passed away in 2014. The golden bike rack was also left open to salute the spectacular Fairweather who was a dominating and well-celebrated name in the sport of triathlon.
Under golden skies and in ideal conditions did little to break up the women on the two lap swim but a quick transition saw a tight-knit lead group of eight form at the front of the flat and very technical 40-kilometre bike course. The tough course caused some early casualty’s including Australian Natalie van Coevorden forced to withdraw. The front group included Lucy Hall (GBR), Flora Duffy (BER), Jorgensen, Zaferes, True, Rebecca Clarke (NZL), Pamella Oliveira (BRA) and Jessica Learmonth (GBR).
A large chase group, led interchangeably by Andrea Hewitt (NZL) and Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle and Emma Moffatt remained at a distance of about a one-minute deficit from the leaders entering into the second transition.
Jorgensen held her own in the swim remaining in touch and with the lead group heading back into into transition right behind Jessica Learmonth (GRB) who led out. Her swim and bike skills continue to improve which is not good news for her competitors. Jorgensen played an active part in the front group with Duffy and True also driving the bunch that worked effectively...
Friday, April 10, 2015
World Triathlon Series hits 50-race milestone
The ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast marks the 50th WTS race since the new format began in 2009. During that time athletes from 65 different nations have competed in the Series and we have given out over $12.2 million in prize money.
From those 49 events Alistair Brownlee has won the most events with an incredible 17 gold medal tally. Four-time World Champion Javier Gomez Noya has been on the podium the most at 29 trips. Between them The Brownlee Brothers mantel piece boasts 41 medals on it.
Gwen Jorgensen leads the women’s field with ten wins from her 26 starts and she is also on the longest unbeaten streak in the Series history with seven consecutive wins. Will she make it eight this weekend?
Here we present some additional stats to satiate your Series knowledge.
• WTS races have been held in 16 countries across all five regions
• A total of 694 total athletes have raced in the series since 2009 broken down into 391 men and 303 women (this includes the start list for the 50th event)
• On the men’s side, Dmitry Polyanskiy with 42 races has raced more WTS events than anyone else, while Andrea Hewitt takes the honours for the women at 40.
• Gomez may take the cake when it comes to WTS medals for the men, but Emma Moffatt owns 15 of her own – the most of any lady racing.
• The US has been represented on WTS courses more than any other National Federations with 70 starts
• Between the men and women, a total 60 athletes have stood on an WTS podium, but only 27 have won.
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Thursday, April 9, 2015
Huub Aphotic swim goggles first look
Superspeedy photochomatic lenses as any Greek speakers may have guessed plus a featherlike feel
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Press conference highlights from the World Triathlon Series Gold Coast
The World Triathlon Series returns to the Gold Coast for the first time in six years this weekend. Today some of the ITU’s stars met the press.
Gwen Jorgensen (USA)
On her current undefeated streak of seven straight World Triathlon Series wins:
“I don’t really think about that I guess, I come into every race just trying to execute my swim and my bike and my run and hopefully that turns into a good race.”
On her improved performances in the bike and the swim:
“Since 2012, that’s when I started with Jamie Turner, that’s when we sat down and thought ‘Ok, where do we need to improve,’ and it’s always been that front half of the triathlon, the swim and the bike. So I’ve been working on it for quite a few years now.”
On the thought of the Rio 2012 Olympic Games:
“My goal for this year is to qualify for the US team [for Rio] and we have an opportunity in August as well to do that. So that’s kind of my focus for the year.”
Katie Zaferes (USA)
On any particular strategies or thoughts she has on making the step from second to first:
“I kind of do the same as Gwen, I go into it thinking more just thinking about the swim, bike and run. I think I’m capable of being on the podium, but it’s not something that I expect.”
Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
On transitioning from junior and U23 racing to consistent senior results:
“I guess that’s the question, I sometimes think about that and know that I need to in the next few years to really step up and get the results, to get on major teams and back into the top 10 at WTS races and obviously it’s been a huge goal of mine to get on the podium at one of these big races. But it’s something that other girls have said, you can’t really go into these things expecting these things and taken anything for granted. So I’m just going into the races trying to do my best.”
Emma Moffatt (AUS)
On one piece of advice that she would pass on to Ashleigh Gentle:
“Well she’s one of my main competitors. So sleep in Saturday, don’t worry about it [Laughs]. Ash is a super smart athlete, I’ve been training with her quite a bit, but for me it’s just been about making sure I’m enjoying it from the start until now.”
Dan Wilson (AUS)
On the course:
“It’s a little bit different to what we had here for the Grand Final in 2009, which was a long time ago now, there is a few technical aspects on the bike which should make it a bit more juicy and also some narrow laneways… Once you put 65 top guys on the start line anything can happen in this race.”
Mario...
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Summer Event Branding Role
Triathlon Ireland is seeking a part time person (circa 15 hrs per week) to assist with event branding nationwide through to the end of September 2015.
Chrissie Wellington on Beating body confidence issues
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50 Women to Kona tackles a very visible show of inequality
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Do you have a Will of Iron
Join hundreds of people this May and complete an iron distance triathlon on your own or part of a team for charity
WTS Gold Coast 2015 preview
Jonny Brownlee and Javier Gomez to duke it out for series lead in mens race while womens race will be dedicated to Jackie Fairweather
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
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Jorgensen out to make more history as WTS returns to the Gold Coast
Australia’s Gold Coast has already witnessed plenty of triathlon history. It hosted just the third ITU World Championships in 1991, before becoming the first Grand Final host when the World Triathlon Series made its debut in 2009. Now the host of the 2018 Commonwealth Games is back on the Series circuit this weekend, and all of the top ranked athletes are out to play.
Women’s preview
It has almost been a full calendar year since Gwen Jorgensen was beaten in a World Triathlon Series race. Since Cape Town in 2014, where she finished third, the reigning World Champion has collected seven consecutive race titles. That has taken her career tally to 10 total World Triathlon Series wins.
While the introduction of the World Triathlon Series means its hard to make comparisons to different eras of the sport, it’s worth considering where Jorgensen’s run sits in ITU history. Australia’s Emma Carney was unbeaten across 12 ITU World Cup races in the 1995 and 1996 seasons, but did not win ITU World Championships in those years. That puts Carney’s impressive unbeaten streaks at five races long. Vanessa Fernandes, the most successful World Cup winner with 20 titles, had two unbeaten streaks of nine races in her career, which did include European cup races, European Championships and Duathlon world title races. Put simply, Jorgensen is entering rare territory, and will be the overwhelming favourite to continue that winning streak on the Gold Coast.
From the start of the 2015 season it would seem that Jorgensen’s biggest rivals will come from within her own national team. After a string of bad luck in World Triathlon Series races in 2014, Katie Zaferes has captured silver behind Jorgensen in the past two races. In Gold Coast, the U.S. will field a nine-strong team, including Jorgensen, Zaferes, WTS winner Sarah True and top-10 ranked Lindsey Jerdonek.
Others who have been in form so far in 2015 include Bermuda’s Flora Duffy, who picked up her first World Triathlon Series podium place in Abu Dhabi, Mooloolaba World Cup winner Tamara Gomez Garrido, New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt, Australia’s Emma Moffatt and Ashleigh Gentle and the Canadian team of Kirsten Sweetland,Paula Findlay, Sarah-Anne Brault and Amelie Kretz.
Also expect the crowd to warmly welcome back London Olympic bronze medallist Erin Densham. Injury and illness have interrupted her past two seasons, and 2015 was then rudely interrupted by a nasty bike crash just last month, but she is back on the start list...
London Duathlon offers PBbusting competitors free entry in 2016
London Duathlon are to give participants the opportunity to win free entry to the 2016 event if they beat their personal best from last year
€40 Million Capital Grants
Applications have opened for the 2015 Capital Grants which will see €40 Million made available to clubs
Monday, April 6, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
How a Pain Management Programme helped me through Ironman Wales blog
Agegrouper Dr Mick Serpell talks about how he took inspiration from chronic pain patients to get him through training and race day at Ironman Wales
Zone3 launch 2015 demo tour
Zone3 have launched their 2015 demo tour which includes visits to London Bristol and Sheffield
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Katie Zaferes takes responsibility for drafting error at WTS Auckland
Did New Zealands Andrea Hewitt deserve silver instead ITU responds to 220 reader query on suspected drafting of USA athlete
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USN Protein Mousse first look
New protein dessert designed to stave off cravings while staying guiltfree
New issue of 220 on sale now
Highlights include step up to 703 with Javier Gomez prepare for your first race our big trisuits grouptest and lots more
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Cannes International Triathlon selling out fast
Limited spots available for race set in French Riviera after entries exceed the 1500 of last year
GBs Jacqui Slack cruises to gold at Xterra Saipan
Britains Slack dominates Xterra Saipan to finish first as Ben Allen claims gold in the mens race
The Lakesman longdistance triathlon launching in 2016
New longdistance triathlon the Lakesman to take place in Cumbria in 2016
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