MOTI 2XU South West Series 2009 announced

Britain’s Youth men’s relay team won silver behind the Italians at the 2010 Vila Nova de Gaia ETU Triathlon U23 and Youth European Championships in Portugal (29 August). The women’s team finished 4th in a highly competitive race won by the Hungarians.

The men’s squad consisted of Simon Cooper, Morgan Davies and Gordon Benson racing in relay format over 300m swim, 8km bike and a 2km run. They recorded an overall time of 1:19.41 and finished just 14seconds behind the winning Italian team. The French team was 11 second behind the British squad.

The women’s team consisted of Sky Draper, Georgie Taylor-Brown and Maddie Winzer - all of whom are young enough to return to this event next year. They finished fourth after a tough start, 29 seconds back from the bronze.

Performance Director, Heather Williams, commented: “I’m pleased with these results.  There were some excellent performances from the athletes. All of the women and two of the three men are eligible for next year, so this was great experience for them.

“It’s encouraging to see our home nation talent programmes working well and developing young triathletes who are capable of winning medals against tough international opposition. The European Youth relays have provided a platform for many of our successful athletes, and I am optimistic that these young athletes can go on to become stars in the future.”

Youth Men’s result:
1. ITA 1:19:27
2. GBR 1:19:41
3. FRA 1:19:52

Youth Women’s result:
1. HUN 1:30:36
2. RUS 1:32:06
3.  ITA 1:32:22
4. GBR 1:32:51

Jonathan Brownlee was beaten into silver medal position in a sprint finish at the 2010 Vila Nova de Gaia ETU Triathlon U23 and Youth European Championships in Portugal (28 August). The 20 year old from Leeds pushed the pace throughout the run, but was beaten on the line by Portugal’s Joao Silva.

Competing less than a week after winning the World sprint title in Lausanne, Brownlee faced a tough field that included Silva and Russia’s Alexander Brukhankov – both of whom have achieved multiple top ten finishes, racing as seniors in the Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship Series this season.

Brukhankov led out the swim as expected, with Brownlee third fastest over the 1500m distance. Brownlee rode in the lead pack on the hilly bike course and took to the front on the run as the three favourites broke away from the other runners.  Brownlee led the entire 10km run, breaking away with Silva from Brukhankov to set up an exciting sprint finish.

The crowd was able to celebrate a home victory with the Portuguese athlete claiming gold by just one second over Brownlee.

Britain’s Stirling based David McNamee, 22, was 9th and fellow Scot, Ritchie Nicholls was 16th.

Brownlee commented: “I’m pleased, and gutted at the same time as it was so close. But Silva is an incredible athlete and it was a really hard and hot race.   I’ve moved on from the start of the season when I could only just get round these longer races.  I’m learning all the time and now can’t wait for Budapest.”

Hollie Avil was forced to retire during the second lap of the women’s race as a result of ill health. The 20 year old reigning World Under 23 Champion has had an eye infection requiring antibiotics and will hope to make a full recovery in time for the World Championships in Budapest in two weeks time.

British Triathlon National Performance Director, Heather Williams, commented: “Jonny’s race was a head for head sprint for the line. He got into a group with Silva and Brukhankov on the run and was at the front pushing the pace the whole time.

“Second is a good result against strong, high standard opposition, and it is excellent experience.

“We’re now just two weeks away from the World Championship Grand Final, our most important event of the season, and we have some athletes racing for world titles on home soil at the GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships next weekend.”

Women’s Under 23 Result:
1. João Silva (POR) 1:53:20
2. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 1:53:21
3. Alexander Brukhankov (RUS) 1:53:33
9. David McNamee (GBR) 1:55:46
16. Ritchie Nicholls (GBR) 1:59:59

Women’s Under 23 Result:
1. Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) 2:13:53
2. Yuliya Sapunova (UKR) 2:14:30
3. Annamaria Mazzetti (ITA) 2:14:34

On Saturday 4 September, at the 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships in Holyrood Park, over 300 leading British amateur duathletes will compete in one of the largest GE Great Britain Age Group Teams to represent Great Britain at an ITU Duathlon World Championships.  211 men and 111 women (246 from England and 76 from Scotland) aged between 18 and 76 will compete in 23 age categories. 

The GE Great Britain Age Group Team will race over a standard international duathlon course - 10km run followed by a 40km cycle and a 5km run, all completed as a continuous activity. 

Edinburgh's course, consisting of multiple laps around Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat (six times in total by foot, and a further five times on the bike), will be one of the most challenging ever used on the international circuit.

Craig Dale, a 4th year medical student at Edinburgh University, will be amongst the favourites to win gold in his category having won the 20-24 Age Group at the ETU Triathlon European Championships in Athlone, Ireland in July.  Dale said: 'For me, multisport events present a challenge that an individual sport just can't match.  I love the variety of training and how easy it is to avoid the monotony of one sport alone.  I am really looking forward to competing in Edinburgh in such a prestigious event - painful on the legs, beautiful on the eyes but a race I'll never forget!'

Twenty-year-old Angus Killean, from Edinburgh, is the youngest member of the British team and local hero Arnott Kidd is the most senior Scottish athlete at 75. Kidd was second in his age group last year at the 2009 Concord ITU Duathlon World Championships, and has won the European title for the last three years in a row.  He has high hopes of winning the World title on home soil.
 
Britain's top paraduathletes will also race in the elite international event on Friday 3 September with the elite, under-23 and juniors all racing on Sunday 5 September.

The 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships is the most prestigious duathlon competition ever to be staged in the UK and offers the perfect opportunity for Edinburgh residents, visitors to the city and running, cycling and multisport enthusiasts to watch the best duathletes in the world for free.

In September the 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships will join two other major international sporting events - the IFSC World Youth Championships for Climbing and the (FITA) Archery World Cup Final - In Edinburgh's Super September of sport - and will welcome thousands of competitors and spectators to the city.

For more information on the 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships and an event schedule for go to - http://www.edinburghduathlon2010.com/
 

triathlonscotland are delighted to announce that elite coach Darren Smith will be delivering a CPD session for triathlon coaches on Friday 3 September.

Darren started his coaching career in Australia where he established the Queensland Academy of Sport triathlon programme.  He moved to Scotland in 2000, initially joining the Scottish Triathlon Association (now triathlonscotland), before moving in to freelance coaching in 2005.

Darren has worked with some of Scotland’s top athletes and has a wealth of experience working as both a federation and a pro coach.  During this time Darren has gained invaluable experiences and skills which he hopes to be able to share with the coaching workforce.


The session will cover the following topics.

1. Coach development – My journey from novice to elite coach and what/who has made significant impacts along the way?
 
2. Levels of triathlon - What is the benchmark these days?  What type of athletes are we after and what are their capabilities.
 
3. Q&A


Where:   The session will take place at the athlete village, Pollock Halls of Residence, which is on the doorstep of the Championship Venue at Holyrood Park.  Further information will be provided upon registration.
 
When:     Friday 3 September

Time:      7 – 9pm

In order to register for this evening you must contact Brown Ferguson at brownferguson@triathlonscotland.org
 

The 2010 West Midlands Regional Championship Race was held in conjunction with the Barton Marina Standard Distance Triathlon on the 8th August 2010.

To be eligible, athletes had to be resident in the West Midlands Region or a member of a West Midlands Club and additionally a member of Triathlon England.

The Championships were open to athletes of all adult Age Groups and all levels of experience.

We're very pleased to announce that the 2010 Regional Champions are

• Male Open – Adam Thomson (BCT)
• Male Vet – Mark Hirsch (BRAT)
• Male Super Vet – Ron Stephenson (BRAT)    Winner of 50+ and 60+
• Female Open – Helen Russell (TriUK/Redditch)
• Female Vet – Ann Knights (Solihull CC)

Any queries, please contact our Regional email address westmidstri@britishtriathlon.org