TRIATHLON SEASON KICKS OFF IN WA
In June this year, Triathlon WA released their revamped State Championship Series which will see more than $17,000 in awards and prize money up for grabs. The series is set to attract WA’s best Open and Age-Group triathletes.
The 2015/16 triathlon season in WA kicks off this weekend with Race 1 of the Triathlon WA State Championship Series, City of Armadale Duathlon presented by TriEvents. Over 600 athletes are expected to take the start line of the Run, Bike, Run format of the event on Sunday 4th October at Champion Lakes.
Defending Duathlon Champion and 2014/15 Triathlete of the year, Katey Gibb (Exceed Tri Club) will be toeing the start line looking to defend her title. “The Duathlon is always a race I look forward to, as it kicks off WA triathlon season” Gibb said. “This year makes it even more important with it being both the State and National Championships, an opportunity that only happens every few years. I'm definitely looking to defend my 2014 State title and hopefully pick up the National title if everything goes to plan”
Gibb has spent the winter months racing a number of Ironman 70.3 races both nationally and internationally. When asked about how she prepares for the short, sharp duathlon racing she said “To be honest my training hasn't changed a huge amount. I have just thrown in a few more bike/run brick sessions to get used to the feeling of running hard off the bike, but I love my running so it has been great doing some fast sessions”.
Alise Farrelly (North Coast Tri Club) stepped up to the Open Series category last year and finished 3rd at the Triathlon of the Year Awards. Alise, like Katey has been racing the 70.3 distance races over winter but will be pulling on the speed shoes this weekend in the 5km run, 20km bike and 2.5km run format.
Alise said “I loved racing open for the first time last year, I learnt so much by racing elite female triathletes such as Katey Gibb and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan. Local racing in WA is always amazing with the home crowd support. I'll also race the WA state series as I still really love the fast shorter races and it’s a great way to develop speed! I really enjoy the fast and furious side of short course racing and I think it’s great to have some sprint races included in my season as part of preparation to race the longer distances”.
With the new season upon us it is great to see age-group athletes stepping up to race in the Open category. Rosie Farrell (Exceed Tri Club) had a strong season in 2014/15 and placing 3rd in the hotly contested 30-34 female age group. She has just come back from racing the ITU World Championships in Chicago and will be making her open debut race this weekend. When asked about preparing for the ITU Championships over the winter months she said “I've survived my first winter training block and I guess it has been character building. Now the sun is shining and the days are longer, I definitely feel stronger (both mentally and physically) for having a solid winter session”
“The girls racing in the Open category are world-class and I never thought I’d ever be racing with them in my 3rd season of triathlons. I'm looking forward to the challenge of racing my own race and seeing how I rank - I still feel I have a lot to learn” said Farrell.
Tegan Scott (North Coast Tri Club) will be once again stepping up to race in the Open category on the weekend. The speedy 18 year old who raced last season is preparing for the Duathlon World Championships that will take place in Adelaide on 18th October. The City of Armadale Duathlon is the perfect hit out in the lead up to the Worlds.
If you are down at Champion Lakes make sure you check out the Men’s open race. It is great to see such a large field to kick of the season. There is a mixture of professional athletes, ITU Junior Athletes and age-groupers who are making the step up to the Open ranks.
Liam McCoach had a stella season last year where he placed top 5 at the Triathlete of the Year. The 17 year old from Break Your Limits Tri Academy is aiming for a podium finish on Sunday. “I know it will be a tough field as it is every year, but it should be a good race” said McCoach. When speaking to Liam about his training for the duathlon and season coming up he said “I keep my training the same as I would throughout the tri season. My goal this season is to podium in one of the Australian Junior Series Races and qualify for the National Talent Academy”.
Lining up alongside Liam, also from Break Your Limits, is defending Duathlon State Champion, Brandon Swift. “I am looking forward to it – I have been training quite hard in the lead up to this race in order to regain some of my fitness after having a few injuries such as costochondritis and shin splints. I’m hoping the training I have been doing will be enough to defend my title or at least put on a good show” said Swift.
Brandon is coming off a quitter off season resting his injuries. He has since been able to put a solid training block in the lead up to the race this weekend. “My main priority for the racing season will be competing over east in the Australian Junior Triathlon Series but I plan to do as many local races as I can. I have no set goals for racing this year. Hopefully I will be able to race a full season injury free”.
Other junior athletes to take to the start line with Swift and McCoach include, Kurt Wesley, Luke Bate, Michael Cousins, Jonny Sammut and Sam Lade. Thomas Bruins who was 3rd at the 2014 Adelaide OTU Duathlon Oceania Championships in the Elite Men’s field will be one to watch on race day. Balinga Pasco, Mike Green, Ryan Jewell, Brendon Dimmer, Sean Ralph, Ivan Tratnik and Chis Owens round out the mens field.
In addition to this event being the first round of the TWA State Championship Series, the City of Armadale Duathlon is also the Triathlon Australia National Duathlon Championship. The events holds double qualification points for the 2016 Age Group World Championship in Aviles, Spain.
If you are thinking about participating in the Duathlon entries are open until 12 noon Friday 2nd October. The City of Armadale Duathlon is a great opportunity to kick start your 2015/16 season.
EVENT START TIMES
TriEvents Tadpoles - 7.30am
Short Course - Juniors 8.25am
Novice 8.28am
Long Course - Open Elite 8.45am
Age Group 8.46am
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