![Katey-Gibb](/Assets/Triathlon+Australia+Digital+Assets/WA/Article+images/KVT+2015+preview-Katey+Gibb.jpg)
Having won four from six WA State Series races so far this season (otherwise coming in second place), the in-form athlete will be looking to take top honours in Karri Valley, and all but cement a third consecutive year as Triathlon WA’s Triathlete of the Year.
Though the coveted accolade was not something Gibb had originally set her sights on. The plan was to expand her triathlon repertoire during the 2014/15 season, and focus on becoming more competitive over long-course races.
“Starting the season I was planning on doing more of the long-course races around Australia,” reflected Gibb.
“I’ve been good at the short stuff for a while, but I need to build that speed over longer distances and get more endurance.
“But things changed and I’ve found myself racing locally more than I had intended – and there are so many great races in WA at the moment, you don’t really need to travel east,” said Gibb.
Included in the field looking to unsettle Gibb's KVT campaign is multiple Ironman champion, Kate Bevilaqua.
Bevilaqua, who won the iconic race in 2012 and 2013, took a break from KVT in 2014 – the same year she won Ironman 70.3 Busselton.
After a disappointing end to 2014, with a DNF at Busselton Ironman, Bevilaqua took a month away from the sport to rest and rejuvenate.
“It’d been a while since I’d had a break like that and I needed it mentally and physically,” said Bevilaqua.
“I must admit once I got back into training in January it was definitely a struggle, but we started slowly and I have only really been doing base, aerobic and strength work for the first few months.
“It’s just been the last couple of weeks that some speed work has been incorporated into the program and I’m finally starting to feel like some fitness is coming back, but training fitness is very different to race fitness,” acknowledged the 37-year old.
Also out to test herself will be WA Pro, Renee Baker. Arthroscopic surgery for labral tears on both hips forced Baker to hang up her running shoes during Nov-Dec 2014 – but after a few months back in full training, she should be hitting some form.
Another one to watch in the women’s race will be Swiss Pro, Emma Bilham who dominated the swim-leg at Philippines 70.3 recently, finishing the race in 4th place.
WA’s Katy Duffield will also race off the back of Philippines 70.3, where she came in just behind Bilham after experiencing a flat tyre. Duffield will be looking to settle the score at Karri Valley and claim a podium finish.
In the men’s race, South Australian-based Matty White is headed west to defend his Karri Valley Triathlon title.
Like Bevilaqua, White ended 2014 with a DNF at Busselton Ironman – one he puts down to a necessary change in training to allow for better work, triathlon and family balance.
The change sees White draw on his 23 years of triathlon experience to find ways he can reduce training hours without compromising form.
“I’ve been trying to find sessions that I can get the maximum out of without having to commit a large amount of time to,” explained White.
“I’ve been doing a lot of cross-training and rowing, and I’ve found good benefit in terms of lifting my aerobic capacity so I can still be competitive off only 8-10 hours training a week.
“But you can’t do a low 8-hour Ironman off 10 hours training per week,” admitted White.
A strong all-rounder, this year White will face-off against multiple KVT winner, Guy Crawford, who returns to the Karri forest after missing the 2014 line-up.
“Guy’s usually a stronger swimmer than me and can ride quite well, so if I can eliminate the gap on the swim and the bike, I can hopefully try and run him down,” said White.
There’s no guarantee of a podium for either athlete though, with professional triathletes Matt Burton and Courtney Ogden also on the start list.
Both athletes competed at Challenge Wanaka a month ago, with Ogden taking out 3rd place. If the pair has freshened up, they’ll both be in with a good chance at stealing top spot.
Age-group athlete, Allister Caird will also be having a shot at a podium finish. The 28-year old has been highly touted since taking the title of first age-grouper at Busselton Ironman.
Caird also has a proven ability over the shorter distances, recently taking out the Albany Classic OD ahead of rising star, Kurt Wesley. If he can reduce the gap in the swim, he should be able to ride and run with the pros.
Karri Valley Triathlon is the 7th race of Triathlon WA’s 2014/2015 State Series, taking place on Saturday 21 March in WA’s southwest.![Karri Valley Triathlon-bike](/Assets/Triathlon+Australia+Digital+Assets/WA/Article+images/KVT+2015+preview-bike.jpg)
Men’s Open Category Start List |
Women’s Open Category Start List |
Matt White | Katey Gibb |
Guy Crawford | Kate Bevilaqua |
Courtney Ogden | Emma Bilham |
Matt Burton | Katy Duffield |
Allister Caird | Renee Baker |
Sean Ralph | Christina Ladyman |
Brad Robinson | Lisa Luckin |
Aaron Williams | Kylie Nettleton |
Lindsay Bennett | |
Robin Pesch | |
Mathew Jennings | |
Samuel Lade |
Follow us on:
![you tube icon](/Assets/Triathlon+Australia+Digital+Assets/Logos/you+tube+icon.jpg)