Dec-31: Simon Lessing honoured with MBE

It may just be a single line in the New Year's honours list but Simon Lessing has been honoured for his services to triathlon with an MBE. Hopefully this will sit nicely alongside his Olympic gold medal...

Dec-29: Team Volcano news

Team Volcano International plan an assault on this year's Ironman Europe to be held in Roth, Southern Germany in July 2000. The team plan to have up to half a dozen members competing in the challenging Ironman event including former Ironman finishers, Dr Anton Krige (Switzerland '97), David Stubbs (Roth '98 and Canada '99) and Chris Eversfield (Longest Day '99). The fast and flat course is a favourite on the Ironman circuit and athletes who would like to join the team in Germany this Summer should contact Chris Eversfield via email: .

Team Volcano has also put together a unique sponsorship package for organisations wishing to benefit from it's unprecedented exposure in the multisport and triathlon scene. For a personalised proposal of how your organisation can gain from a rewarding partnership please contact Iain Parsons at Team Volcano International, 'Brecon', Greenfield Lane, Heswall, Wirral, Merseyside CH60 or email Chris Eversfield, Team Chairman at .

Dec-22: Human Race awarded Salford Quays

The following just came in from Graeme Kempson at the BTA:

Triathlon is a part of the Commonwealth Games being hosted by Manchester in 2002. The race itself is to be held in Salford Quays. The BTA (as well as the ITU) has an involvement in the organisation of the event. Tenders for a Race Organiser were invited by the BTA, which included the warm up events in both 2000 and 2001.

The tender process has resulted in Human Race Events being appointed as Organisers. This will cover the initial period of three years, but will probably continue given the support that Salford City brings to the sport of Triathlon.

The BTA would like the venue to continue hosting a major race for many years, as we have too few of them in the North of the Country. Such a high profile race can only aid the development of our sport in this region.

Human Race has the experience of organising many events and triathlons. The BTA has confidence in their ability not only to make the warm up races another success where triathletes of all abilities can enjoy themselves, but also to showcase the elite race during the Commonwealth Games.

ITU dates include London

So, the official ITU calendar of World Cup events includes a date for London -- Oct-16 to be precise [Which, as Katherine Williams has pointed out, is a MONDAY...]. Of course, nobody is admitting anything at BTA HQ and one would have thought, given the short time frame and proximity to the World Duathlon Championships (now confirmed as Oct-8 in Calais) and the European Duathlon Championships (Oct-22 in Bath) that we might just be pushing the envelope a bit here... It seems unlikely that the ITU/BTA will be using Esprit after the failure of last year's bid for London as the World Championships and John Lunt's tied up with the duathlon in Bath so there's a pretty big issue of just who would take on the organisation.

Anyone at HQ want to comment??

Dec-20: More St George action

At the St George F1 series race in Coolangatta, Queensland Michell Dillon placed 7th in the ladies final with Steph Forrester winning the ladies consolation final. (News via Katerine Williams' Triathlon Digest)

Dec-16: Scotland wants a High Performance Coach

The Scottish Triathlon Association has announced that it will appoint a National High Performance Coach for a four year contract. Advertisements have been placed in the triathlon press and on the Internet.

The position is funded by Sport Scotland and the contract will run for four years. It will be full-time, paying a salary of about £30,000 per annum and is likely to be based at the Scottish Institute for Sport at Stirling University. The likely salary and contract term reflect the strong commitment that Sport Scotland has for Triathlon, how it is organised and governed in Scotland, and Scotland's strong position in Home International and Commonwealth terms. Sport Scotland has also supported Scottish Triathlon's 4-year development plan with this appointment.

For further details of the post, please contact: Jacqueline Dunlop, Glenearn Secretarial, Glenearn Cottage, Edinburgh Road, Port Seton EH32 0HQ or email [email protected]

Dec-12: Spencer confirmed on Linda McCartney Team

In an article in Cycling Weekly the listing of members of the Linda McCartney cycling team for Europe in 2000 includes one Spencer Smith so I guess that that's now the formal end of his triathlon career. With a bit of luck the cycling authorities will treat him a little better than the likes of the ITU have in recent months.

Dec-9: Strength and Conditioning courses

Ed Powell, sometime coach at Thames Turbo, is running Strength & Conditioning courses on January 30th and February 27th. These are aimed at reducing the likelihood of injury, strengthening the abdominals / lower back and preparing you to train more effectively. During the course you will also be assessed for flexibility / mobility / muscle length & tension relationships and functional strength. The cost of the day is £40 and is limited to 15 people. Enquiries and bookings to

Women's Multisport training day

John Lunt's Human Race Events will be holding a Women's Introductory Day to Multisport on Saturday 5th of February in Kingston. Women of any age and ability are welcome to attend. The course geared more towards novices, although all abilities welcome, and will be lead by Daphne Belt, world long distance age group Champion. The course has been run over the last two years, costs £25 and is limited to 25 people. As in previous years the course is being held in conjunction with the Warley and Warley Damp Dash Duathlon which runs on the next day from the Kingfisher Pool and features an 800m swim/10k run (plus other distances).

Anyone who might be interested should give Daphne a ring on 01903-721713, 7pm till 9pm is best).

XTerra in 2000

Well, we did warn you! The 2000 schedule published on the XTerra website confirms that an event is planned for the UK next year. Specifically, September 3rd at Dunster Castle on Exmoor -- a lovely area and certainly tough enough for the XTerra-style of competition. Hopefully they'll be bringing the likes of Ned Overend and Mike Pigg (haven't seen him in the UK for years) to kick things off. NOTE: UK sources suggest that the date will actually be Saturday 2nd rather than the 3rd.

Bill Black training day

Transition Sport are organising a Bill Black training day at Bracknell on Sunday January 16th. Bill will be assisted by Duncan Rolley of Speedo on the swimming and the cost of the day is £45. For more details contact Transition Sport on 0115-914 1337. No email or web details provided...

Dec-7: Site changes

It's that time of year when we move stuff around -- please don't be suprised to find things being changed, updated or moved!!

Dec-2: What, no news...

Just to let all those kind people who've been emailing over the past couple of weeks know -- there really isn't any news at the moment! If you want to track the world triathlon scene then why not subscribe to Katherine William's daily Triathlon Digest newsletter, it's a cheap and really efficient way to keep in touch (make an ideal Christmas present too!).

However, if any has any wild rumours -- like there being an official WTC Ironman here in the UK next year and the XTERRA series coming over as well -- please feel free to let us know...

Dec-1: BTA website

At the AGM the BTA stated that their official website should be live from the 1st of December... The reality is that the page hasn't changed in weeks but we have added the link anyway so you'll know as soon as we do! [UPDATE: Graham Schuil-Brewer confirmed that "It is coming, it's just a bit behind..."!]

Nov-30: Down under

Michelle Dillon made the final of the first St Georges F1 event last weekend and placed 10th, Steph Forrester missed the cut off by .5 of a second but won the consolation final. Most of the rest of the GB squad are at Bath so I don't expect to see anything from them for the next three weeks...

Nov-8: BTA major dates

The following dates have now been officially confirmed by the BTA Management Committee. I find it amazing that after all the fuss last year to break up the National Championships -- something I was against but actually worked out very well inded -- the BTA has now put them all back together!! Worse, they are back at Ellsmere again, a venue that all seemed agreed is too small to cope!!

The duathlon Championships have been split so that an Elite race can have drafting and the rest of this race will be non-drafting for the age-groupers, with 6 slots per age-group qualifying for the ITU World Duathlon Championships. The National Duathlon Agegroup Championships are once again in Swindon, but on a new date in early July.

Note that the British Sprint Championship at Clumber Park, Sheffield is as yet still unconfirmed. It is hope that this is rectified soon, after more discussion with the venue operators.

The programme does give a set of regionally spread selection races throughout the latter part of the 2000 season, to act as qualifying events for the 2001 World Championships as the Worlds (in Edmonton, Canada) are to be staged on 21-22 July. This also enables the selected athletes to concentrate on and peaking for the Worlds without worrying about having to qualify first, although there will also a final World Age-Group qualifying event in early June 2001.

BUT, given that Windsor was rated top event in 1999 why, oh why, has it got no status at all?

Hawaii stats

Many thanks to Andrew Johnson for extracting these and the additional information he derived:

Nov-7: Notes from the AGM

Despite being so close to Bonfire Night the event was something of a damp squib -- even though a larger than usual contingent turned out. The main business was the passing of the resolution to restructure the Management and Executive committees into a single body (that's the one that got thrown out last year) and to reject two proposals to limit the possibility of elected members also having commercial interests in major events.

Dave Bellingham was elected to Vice Chair (replacing Phil Templar who, almost at the same moment, was completing the Florida Ironman) while both Adem Mehmet and Ron Thorne were returned unopposed to the Executive. The "Athletes of the Year" were Sian Brice and Simon Lessing while Windsor outpointed Ironbridge to take the Event trophy.

The only mildly controversion issue was the unveiling of the BTA's new logo -- a not desperately popular image that lacks the strength of the current one and seems to have been introduced without thought to the consequences for organisers and others outside the BTA who will now have to rework their material which carries the logo. Apparently nobody at HQ had even given a thought to the posibility that other people might now have to incur costs...

Great result at Noosa

Michelle Dillon blasted the run section at the final event of the ITU World Cup Series to win by 44 sec ahead of Carney with Steph Forrester 3rd.

In the men's event, Shane Reed of New Zealand followed his win last weekend at the World Aquathlon Championships with a win at Noosa, Andrew Johns came in second.

Complete results can be found on on the ITU website.

Nov-5: Hawaii Ironman TV date

It looks as though Eurosport may well be showing this on December 23rd from 2pm to 3.30pm BUT this is a European schedule and may not apply to "British Eurosport". Check your schedules...

No vote, no voice

It's the BTA AGM this weekend and if you are a member please consider making the trip and using your vote! Less than 1% of members seem to bother to come and then we get endless complaints that the system isn't fair. Remember, if you don't come you can't vote. If you didn't vote then you can't complain! For details ring BTA HQ on 01530-414234 or check your last copy of Tri News.

Nov-4: Dillon gets third

Michelle Dillon scored an impressive third place in the ITU World Aquathon Championships at Noosa last Sunday. What's an aquathon? Good question! Try running 2.5k, swimming 1k and then running 2.5k and you'll get the picture (actually this is a very good training session). Richard Haines, the only other GB athlete that I can identify from the results, placed 27th. Nice to see a Brit beating lots of Australians at their own game -- aquathon being pretty much a southern hemisphere activity. Full details on the ITU website.

Nov-2: Major races announced

The BTA has announced several of the major events for 2000 -- but not which will have championship status, be qualifiers for Edmonton 2001 or part of the Grand Prix Series (or its replacement). Still, getting the major dates this early is a first and allows other organisers a much clearer run at planning their events so I mustn't be uncharitable!

Rather than list each event here we have added them to the rapidly expanding race calendar for 2000.

Nov-1: Welsh get their own domain

Sorry, couldn't resist the pun! The Welsh Triathlon Association now has a new web address: http://www.welshtri.org.uk/ Strange that the BTA is now the only one without a proper web presence ...

Oct-30: New adventure racing series

New organiser Blue Eskimo has announced a series of three events in 2000, the first is on Mar-11. For details see their website.

A statement from Liz Taylor

The following has been sent in by Liz Taylor and, at her request, is presented in its original form and without comment:

I feel I must, in my own interests, make the following points clear:
1. I have been a director of MHR Ltd for approximately 2 years. I helped Phil 
Templar with the administrative set up of the company, since I have one of my 
own. I have gained absolutely no financial benefit from the company and have 
not been involved in its organisation or financial administration at all, I 
have simply helped out at events, as a friend, as I have at other people's.
2. I have now resigned as a director of MHR Ltd, in view of the controversy 
surrounding its financial standing and the activities of its other director, 
Phil Templar. I cannot allow this controversy to affect me either personally 
or professionally.
3. I am standing down from the BTA Managment committee at the end of my 2 
year term of office because of work and other comittments. This has 
absolutely nothing to do with the recent resignation of Phil Templar as vice 
chair.
4. None of this affects my stance regarding the London triathlon. I will 
continue to support this event in view of the huge boost it has given to the 
development of triathlon in this country, particularly at grass roots level. I 
believe in the positive involvement of the BTA, not negative.

Oct-29: Christmas Day, nothing to do?

The fifth Christmas Day triathlon will be held at Leybourne lake, Larkfield, Kent at around 9.00am. It's an open water swim, 80 -- 100 meters depending on the temperature followed a 9 mile bike and a 1.5 mile run. No wetsuits for seriouly hard triathletes, wimps can wear wetsuits. This is a FREE race and you can get details from Mike Russell at this or by calling him on 01732 882492 or writing to 1 Oldbury Hall Cottages, Oldbury Lane, Ightham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 9DD.

Oct-27: Spencer to quit?

A news item in the daily news section of ProCycling suggests that Spencer Smith may be about to quit triathlon and take up pro cycling instead -- possibly as part of the Linda McCartney team. Nothing is signed, sealed or confirmed at this stage... He would be in good company, Lance Armstrong was a fine triathlete before he switched to road racing and the thought of Spencer in a yellow jersey is an interesting one!

Oct-26: Brits in Hawaii

So far we've been given the following: Richard Lake, second in the 60-64 age group in 11:55:40, and Shirley Yarde who was (?) 12th in her 40-44 age group in 11:49:47. We now know that Julian was doing some serious partying at Duncan Rolley's wedding (all the best to him and Karen). Still no full results on the web but I've been without a proper computer for four days so apologies for the spotty coverage.

Author wants help with book

This just in from Tom Denes, author of The Waterproof Coach which is a neat and genuinely useful training aid:

I am seeking favorite workouts from triathletes around the world to include in a book to be called The Waterproof Triathlete. This book follows the success of The Waterproof Coach (sold on Amazon.com), which is geared to swimming only. The Waterproof Triathlete will be structured in the same manner as The Waterproof Coach with waterproof pages cut in thirds that can be mixed and matched to create thousands of combinations of workouts. The top panel will include a swim workout, the middle panel a bike workout, and the bottom panel a run workout.

This is an opportunity to have your name, workout, and biosketch featured in the book. If you would like to contribute, please provide:

• A favorite swim, bike and run workout.
• Your name and age.
• Your hometown.
• A short biosketch listing your races, accomplishments or anything else you consider important.
• Your favorite thing about preparing for or participating in triathlons as well as your pet peeve!

I am seeking novice as well as top-level triathletes. All of the workouts will be rated so the reader can determine which level of workout is appropriate to use. The book is at least a year away from completion, so it may be a while before I select which workouts to include. However, I will acknowledge receipt with sincere appreciation!

Tom Denes, Ancient Mariner Aquatics, Inc, 4522 Everett Street, Kensington, Maryland 20895 USA. ( website)

Oct-24: Hawaii summary

In the mens race Luc van Lierde proved that on the big day he can put aside a season's worth of disappointment and produce the goods. Peter Reid, the on-form favourite was second with Tim de Boom third, the best US finish in years. Greg Welch, a late entrant, came home in 11th and Matt Bellfield was a DNF with a major bike failure about 2 hours into the race.

For a while in the women's race it looked like Karen Smyers was going to make a triumphant return to the podium but Lowri Bowden pulled a new run record (2:59:16) and the fastest bike split of the day (5:08:30) to finish in 9:13:02. Smyers finished second in 9:20:40 and Fernanda Keller was third (for the third time in a row!) in 9:24:30.

1469 started the event and we'll let you know the GB splits as soon as we can find them! We're having computer problems at the moment...

Oct-23: Perth update

Due to unforseen circumstances, the triathletes who are to be offered places on the Great Britain Age Group Team for Perth 2000 will be notified over the next two weeks. Ian Pettitt has informed me that he hopes to get the congratulation letters for the females out next weekend with the males the following weekend. Those applicants who have not made the Team will be notified of their position on the reserve list shortly after this. He apologises for the delay but has been called away on business during the week.

64% of those who qualified by right, have applied to be on the Team, making it one of the strongest Great Britain Age Group Teams since Manchester. There are still vacancies in the following age groups: males 20-24 & 60+, females 20-24 & 35+

Oct-21: Beth wins at Alanya

In the ETU Cup finalé at Alanya in Turkey Beth Thompson scored a significant victory (there was also some football going down and I think Chelsea did the business as well!) Dimitry Gaag, the current World Champion, blew out after the bike and we ended up with three GR in the top ten. Andrew Johns picked up the men's series trophy and Heather Williams was 8th in the ladies rankings as well as being 8th in the race.

Oct-18: BTA needs a new coach

The following just came in from Gregoire Millet:

The BTA is looking to appoint a Triathlon Squad Coach. It is expected that the selected candidate will coach the Triathlon Squad at Loughborough University and elsewhere, as part of the overall programme at the Loughborough Triathlon Centre and will be part of the National coaching staff.

The job specification will include the following:

1. To coach the squad at Loughborough and elsewhere, as part of the overall programme
2. Play an active role in recruiting, managing and coaching the athletes for the National Squad
3. To plan, evaluate and deliver a co-ordinated triathlon programme at Loughborough University
4. To be responsible for all the necessary administrative and budgetary control
5. To support the coaching development programme of the BTA

For a detail job description, an application form and further information about the BTA and Loughborough University, please contact: Greg Millet, Performance Director, British Triathlon Association, Triathlon Performance Unit, Department of Sports, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY. Tel: 01225-323548 or fax: 01225-323531.

Closing date for receipt of completed application is on Friday 19 November 1999 and interviews will be held at Loughborough University on Thursday 9 December 1999.

World Duathlon Championships

Congratulations to Fiona Lothian who added a world duathon bronze to her trophy cabinet at the weekend. Full results at the official website but the male junior elite are missing (the female junior elite are there twice...) An extracted file of the age group results is on this site.

Oct-14: 1066 Duathlon cancelled?

We've now had several reports (still waiting for confirmation from the organsiers) that the 1066 Duathlon has been cancelled this year -- apparently because the organiser will be in Hawaii...

Brits abroad

Sorry, completely missed this one! At the USTS final in Oceanside, California heat was the order of the day and Julie Ricketts could only manage third place in 2:10:45 behind Nicole DeBoom (2:09:23) and Becky Gibbs (2:07:52). She did clinch the series title though, and drove off with a brand new Isuzu luxury edition Trooper. Full results at http://www.rooworld.com/.

Oct-13: Update on Spencer

He's definitely not doing Hawaii...

Cycle training for triathletes

The BTA Development Committee have set up a cycle weekend (4th and 5th December 1999 at Palmer Park, Reading) for novice and intermediate triathletes who wish to improve the cycle section of their triathlon. The course will cover basic riding skills, winter training, equipment and brick training and will be led by the coaching team that provide coaching for the womens' weekend each January.

The cost of the weekend will be £50 and will include a packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Further details and application forms may be obtained by sending an sae to: Derek Bowley, Flat 7, 15 Castle Crescent, Reading, Berkshire RG1 6AQ

Oct-12: BTA gets new email address

All BTA email should now be directed to name@britishtriathlon.co.uk. The name part should be the same as it was under the old system.

Times coverage on London

In a very well written piece in today's Times, David Powell fills in the story of James Loughery, the relay team member who died after being rescued from the swim. In the article there's an appeal from the Loughery's widow and the coroner for any witnesses to events during the swim.

Oct-11: Spencer not doing Hawaii...

The latest reports (Katherine Williams' Digest) seem to indicate that Spencer will not now be doing Hawaii. Part of the fallout from the drugs issue was a hold on his invitation pending a decision by the ITU as to whether they and USAT were going to take the case to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS). That hasn't happened yet and Spencer has now passed his own personal deadline on committing to the event. However, the official Ironman website still has him listed in the pro men...

It's doubtful that USAT/ITU deliberately played a waiting game but it's certainly another miserable outcome of this whole affair when appeals against already unsuccessful apeals can basically ruin an athlete's season in this way. In the eyes of the law the charges against Spencer have, as far as we can tell, been dismissed on two occasions and that means that he ought to be able to carry on competing.

Brits abroad

At the ITU World Cup in Cancun this weekend:

Bath to get Euro Duathlon Champs

Most of you probably know this one already -- someone forgot to tell us it was OK to publish the news...

Bath will host the European Duathlon Championships sometime in October 2000 -- the date is still not confirmed. This can be seen as the first achievement of the BTA's new aggressive role in going after major events with a view to having at least one ITU points race here each year and a bid in for the ITU World Championships on a regular basis.

Perth qualifiers updated

The list of qualifiers for the World Championships in Perth next year has been updated again. Please remember, if you are on the list and you have not confirmed your slot then you may lose it.

Duathlon squad

The following will be attending the World Duathlon Championships at Huntersville, North Carolina. The BTA reps are Jasmine Flatters (Age Group Team Manager) and Mick English (Elite Team Manager).

Elite: Fiona Lothian, Gary Gerrard, Rob Joy, Jack Maitland, Andy Tarry
Juniors: Jo Hinde
Age Groupers: Bella Comerford F2024, Susie Craig F2529, Helen Dyke F2529, Claire Hall F2529, Fiona Smart F2529, Samantha Davies F3034, Helen Ruffell F3034, Gill Thomas F3034, Yvonne Benton F3539, Corina Cramer F3539, Jeannie Fry F3539, Caroline Armstrong F4549, Josie Heffernan F4549, Colin Averis M2024, Andrew Branston M2024, Tarik Djeddour M2024, Tim McDowell M2024, Mark Solley M2024, David Castle M2529, Jonathan Davies M2529, Andrew Fisher M2529, Andrew Mawdsley M2529, Lee Piercy M2529, Russell Savage M2529, Jason Bradley M3034, Leigh Butler M3034, Colin Hawxby M3034, Tony Overington M3034, Jon Parkinson M3034, Phil Pollard M3034, Stacy Robinson M3034, Paul Rogers M3034, Ian Smith M3034, Mark Booth M3539, Charles Buckley M3539, Q D'arcy M3539, Kevin Farmer M3539, Roy Temple M3539, David Wilkinson M3539, Jeremy Wormington M3539, Norman Butler M4044, Ian Gummery M4044, Malcolm Little M4044, Tony Mitchell M4044, Rodger McCarroll M4549, , James Weedon M4549, Patrick Weir M4549, Mick Anglim M5054, Clive Faine M5054, William Fairhurst M5054, Dave Farmer M5054, Ted Hamilton M5054, Richard Masling M5054, Richard Melvern M5054, Douglas Smith M5054, Des Thwaites M5054, Kevin Youngs M5054, David Gilbert M5559, Bob Luck M5559, Les Bailey M6064, Eric Barber M6064, Peter Knott M6064, Neville Wood M6064

Oct-7: Another coaching website

This just in from Simon Ward:

"s4performance, the coaching group run by Simon Ward (Coaching Editor for 220 magazine) are pleased to announce that their new website is now up and running. The website (www.s4Performance.com) currently includes information about the S4 Performance coaching services and much more. You can e-mail S4 about your coaching enquiries through the website or on "

Oct-4: Home Nations Duathlon

Report from Katerine Williams

Rain and the opening games of the Rugby World Cup seemed to dominate the weekend in Bala, north Wales, where the host Wrexham Triathlon Club organised (on short notice) the very successful Home Nations Duathlon on Saturday.

Overall winners were Andy Tarry (ENG) and Fiona Lothian (SCO), both of whom were keying for the Oct 16-17 Duathlon World Championships in North Carolina, USA. It rained for the whole race (and the whole weekend), but the Home Nations spirit wasn't dampened at all.

The Scots retained their title, 13-16 over England, with (I think) 27 points for Wales and 38 for Ireland, using a complicated scoring system. The Irish travelled with just six duathletes, not the full-team of eight, but their presence filled the bar on Saturday night as if no one was missing. They had arrived only at 3:45 am, after one ferry was cancelled and another one delayed because of the bad weather, then left the hotel at 5:30am (after a late night in the pub) for the return trip.

Oct-3: Provisional Grand Prix Results

The following just in from Ian Pettitt.

Oct-1: French Iron Tour update

Andrew Johns slipped to 4th in the final standings -- more news on the French Triathlete website.

Scottish Triathlon Association's Women's Coaching Weekend

This will be held on the 23rd and 24th of October and all levels of triathlete are welcome, from novice to club athlete. The weekend includes both theory and practical sessions, plus plenty of socialising. Everyone will be working with people of similar ability. There are still spaces available, email your name and address to for further information and an application form.

Sep-29: Iron Tour

With no Simon Lessing in the picture news about the French Iron Tour has been a bit sparse but Katherine Williams' Digest listed Andrew Johns in 3rd place, Richard Stannard 11th and Peter Tiernan in 26th with one race to go.

Sep-28: Brighton Results

We finally have results up on Stuart Mullage's website and it looks as though someone forgot to number the timing sheets so it's taken them a bit of time to work things out... We've listed the top four women because Leanda is Australian and so doesn't count for the GB Championship and the age group results are still provisional.

Brits abroad

Congratulations to Annie Emmerson who finished 7th at Nice on Sunday in 7:15:21 (1:00:20, 3:57:41, 2:14:18). Nice will be the venue for the World Long Distance Championships in 2000 and they were using a new bike course that includes a 1000ft climb... The event was won by Joanne King (AUS) in 6:56:13 and Christophe Mauch (SUI) in 6:09:47.

Congratulations also to Steph Forrester who won the Belgrade ITU Points race in 1:58:43 beating Beatrice Mouthon (FRA) who turned in a 2:01:00.

At the Balearman Mallorca Triathlon held at Cala Radjada, Spain Beth Thomson placed 3rd in 3:21:49 behind Susanne Nielsen (DEN) who won in 3:18:24.

Sep-22: Spencer cleared

This just in from Katherine Williams, editor of Triathlete and the Triathlon Digest.

"I can confirm that Spencer Smith has been cleared by an ITU appeals panel of his alleged drugs offence. Smith just phoned Triathlon Digest with the news minutes ago (Wednesday morning)."

With this out of the way it should now be possible for him to race at Hawaii -- the organisers had suspended his invitation until the drugs issue was resolved. If you want to email congratulations to Spencer do so at

London victim dies

On a less welcome note we understand that the man who collapsed during the swim at Sunday's London Triathlon has subsequently died in hospital. Our condolences to his family and colleagues (he was part of a corporate relay team).

Despite all the comments made in the past few days about London this tragedy was dealt with extremely professionally with a rapid recovery from the water and some 20 minutes of dockside CPR from the attending medical staff before he was taken off to hospital and intensive care.

Sep-20: Brits around the world

There were other events around the world last weekend! At the ETU Duathlon Cup finale in Mafra, Portugal, Gary Gerrard finished 9th giving him 10th place in the series rankings and Fiona Lothian finished 3rd giving her 9th place in the series rankings. Full details on the ETU website.

In the USTS series of races in the US Julie Ricketts picked up the pieces from her DNF in the World Championships last weekend and won by 40 seconds despite having had to repeat a section of the swim course due to missing a buoy.

Sep-20: Swindon - a race reborn

Total Fitness have taken over the running of the Swindon Triathlon for 2000 and have announced a weekend of events over the May 27-29th Bank Holiday weekend. This puts the event, which has had a bit of a chequered career, back with its original sponsors and will, hopefully, revive its fortunes. Details from Total Fitness in Swindon.

Sep-19: London Triathlon -- UPDATED

The elite results are now up and reproduced below. Full results for the age groups will appear on the new, improved official website. Total figures are as follows, with 1998 for comparison:

Bear in mind that Esprit were claiming up to 3,500 entrants at one point and press reports today (Monday) varied between 2,000 and 3,000. This is NOT the third largest triathlon in the World!

I have no comment on the elite race because, after spending five hours at the venue on the Sunday watching the age groups go round in a continuous stream and seeing the demolition site that was the finish area, I'd had enough and went home! All I can say is that if this the most prestigious race in the BTA's calendar then someone wants to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror and ask how the promoters and organisers can be allowed to get away with it. A well-known observer of the sport is reported as saying that this puts triathlon back ten years. I just hope he means that this is what the conditions were like ten years ago and not that this has done damage to the sport's reputation that will take ten years to mend.

Docklands is not an easy venue to run a race in and will never be able to produce a course of the quality and interest of, say, Windsor, Ironbridge or Pembroke. What it can be is an introduction to the sport in controlled circumstances -- but that didn't happen yesterday. There were three types of athlete trying to compete over the same course at the same time: total novices, experienced age groupers and elite. Had the venue been used over the whole weekend with much greater wave separations and a much higher attention to detail then it could have been a success. As it was it was very nearly a shambles, in more than one sense. Sadly, the first time racer will now take London to be the norm...

Articles in the Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph on Monday: but none have even the top three finishers listed or times.

Sep-16: Scottish Duathlon Championships (Sep-4)

The winner of the Championships was not the winner of the race as he was not an STA member. Below are the winners in each category:

Sep-14: Even more catching up

Being in Montreal for the World Championships looked like being a good idea until my internet connection got taken away and so all the wonderful results and stories that were going to be filed never got here! Apologies but that's the way that the cookie crumbles sometimes! Results are now up for GB athletes.

Sep-9: Catching up

The Marshalls Offroad Duathlon, scheduled for Sep-19, has been cancelled due to lack of demand. Entries are being refunded.

At the ETU Cup race in Northern Ireland Fiona Lothian won the female section in 1:28:47.

At the ITU race in Brno Richard Stannard was 10th and Loretta Sollars 9th.

At Almere in the European Ironman Championships (for full results see their website and then look under Uitslagen 99 and then Uitslagen EK (English results don't seem to work).

Sep-4: Training camp

Wantage Leisure Centre is promoting a weekend (September 25/26) of specialised triathlon coaching aimed at improving the club triathlete to greater achievement. The cost will be £42 including lunch and ex-National Champion cyclist Simon Bray will coach with Andy Reed. Call 01235-766201 to book your place.

Sep-2: USAT wins its case

Spencer Smith's case against USAT re-opening the investigation into his positive test at Hawaii last year has been overturned and will result in an ITU Appeals Board hearing later this month. A full report on the situation is available on the Inside Triathlon website.

Aug-31: Spencer 3rd at Mrs T's

In what is obviously a warm-up for the Worlds in Montreal, Spencer Smith pulled a 3rd place at Mrs T's in Chicago in 1:51:51 with Greg Welch (AUS) taking first in 1:50:41. Full results are on their website.

ITU Lausanne

Andrew Johns picked off another major win with a 1:57:24. Stuart Hayes was 20th (2:00:30), Richard Stannard 24th (2:01:52) and Tim Don, Marc Jenkins and Richard Allen DNFed.

For the ladies Julie Ricketts finished 5th in 2:11:41 with Loretta Harrop (AUS) winning in 2:10:19. Michelle Dillon was 7th (2:11:48), Stephanie Forrester was 11th (2:13:35), Beth Thomson 23rd (2:15:31), Loretta Sollars 30th (2:18:10) and Sian Brice was a DNF. Full results on the ITU website.

Opta Guernsey Middle Distance Triathlon

Results in from Bob Welsh:

Aug-23: Brits abroad

Aug-19: Saffron Walden is off

News just in that the Aug-30 Saffron Walden event is not going to happen. There's a chance it may get re-scheduled for October -- contact Mike Ratcliffe on 01799-550912 for details. Here's his announcement:

Following consultations with the police we are now hoping to reschedule this event for the 3rd October. The race start will however be at 7.00am, not 9.00am as previously, due to the Sports Centre's scheduled public use of the swimming pool. All original entrants have been contacted re the cancellation and will hopefully still be able to race but for those that wish to cancel the entry fees will naturally be refunded. Entries should be addressed to The Race Organiser, Saffron Walden Triathlon, 108 Long Horse Croft, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4BJ

Aug-18: National Relays get TV cover

The recent BTA National Club Relays will be shown on Sunday 29th August on Sky 2. It will be a 2 hour programme, with footage from both morning and afternoon events. Shame that the results were so messed up -- the debate about whether to chip athletes is continuing on the eGroup! Even the BTA is looking at the possibility -- something that the STA did a while back.

Aug-17: Weekend highlights

Julie Ricketts wins another leg of the Bally Total Fitness USTS series at Madison.

Julian Jenkinson and Suzanne Davies win at The Longest Day, their website is still not working properly -- results are now available.

Sara-Jane Cox placed 7th at Ironman USA, Lake Placid in 10:25:52 (52:24, 5:40:24, 3:47:08). Sadly it looks as though Daf Belt failed to complete the event -- it looks like the bike section was her nemesis.

Stuart Hayes was somewhere in the European Cup at Carlsbad, he seems to have dropped off the pace on the run which is unusual for Stuart and didn't make the top ten. Their website should have the full results soon...

In the Swiss Championships at Nyon, Andrew Johns placed 3rd in 1:55:06.

Aug-16: Brits abroad

At the ITU World Cup in Corner Brook, Newfoundland Beth Thomson was 18th (2:17:42) and Loretta Sollars was 22nd (2:20:10) behind Jackie Gallagher (2:09:46). In the mens race Tim Don placed 12th (1:57:40) with Richard Stannard 16th (1:58:33) behind Craig Walton (1:54:12). Marc Jenkins was a DNF. Full results on the ITU website.

Aug-13: Final update on the Cross Channel Triathlon

After a synchronised run from London to Dover the teams hit trouble with the Channel crossing with first East Grinstead and then Deal Tri being forced to drop out due to sickness and cramp. Durham finished the swim and then all three teams rode to Paris. The total time for Durham was 29:07:40 and is now the time to beat...

Aug-11: Update on the Cross Channel Triathlon

Aug-09: Update on the Cross Channel Triathlon

This just in from Paul Groves who'll be taking part as one of the Cycle Force Team.

We are approaching a series of favourable tides for the SeaFrance London to Paris Triathlon to take place. The three teams of seven (Deal Tri, East Grinstead Tri Club and Cycle Force Durham) are now on the edges of their seats waiting for the skippers to tell them that the winds out in the Channel have dropped sufficiently for the swim to go ahead.

Once they get the all clear they all drive to London to start the run from the SeaFrance Building on Piccadilly and then run, in relay, the 81 miles down to Dover when the clock gets stopped - temporarily. They then board the pilot boats for the swim and head off to the swim start point near Folkestone where the clock starts again. (Traditionally cross-channel swims set off from Shakespeare beach but owing to strong tides during the period 10th - 17th August the triathletes will have to head further west - or face the prospect of ending up in Denmark!!)

Once they reach the French coast the clock stops for the second time. They then make their way into the confines of the harbour, climb onto dry land and, with the clock running once more, set off for the 190 mile cycle ride.

Each team is made up of seven with one person in each team not swimming, one not running and one not cycling. As the teams set off on the run they will change runner each hour on the hour until they arrive in Dover. The same applies for the swim and cycle sections. It is anticipated that both the run and the bike will take about 9 -10 hours but the swim could be anywhere between 11 and 15 hours. Madness, pure madness!

Brits abroad

The ITU World Cup at Tiszaujvaros in Hungary could have been mistaken for the World Championships given the quality of the field assembled. Spencer Smith apparently challenged hard all the way and was only pushed back from 3rd to 5th on the run while Simon Lessing never really showed at all and finished in his lowest position ever at an ITU event. Superb results in the Women's field with Sian Brice holding off Julie Ricketts. Overall things look pretty good for Montreal if we get this depth of finish.

Aug-06: Dover Open Water Duathlon

The Dover Regatta Open Water Duathlon 1999 (on August 15th) looks set to be a day for the ladies. With an overall purse of £400 to be won, and this prize money being split equally over the field, the lucky winner of the womens race will go home with at least £50 and very likely more.

Racing is over two distances; the novice event of 250m swim and 2k run, where first prize of £25 will go to the male and female winner, and the main event over 750m swim and 4.5k run. In this event the overall winner in each gender will receive £25 and there will be £25 prizes to the male and female winners of the following categories: 14-18yrs, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+.

Winners of these age groups will only receive their prize money if there are at least 4 competitors on the day of the event in that age group. If there are less than four then the money will be transferred up the line to the gender winner.

So ladies, come on down. Entries still open (Novice Event - £6) (Main Event £10) and ever finisher gets a superb T-shirt. Send your entry forms with cheques made payable to DTS Duathlon to Paul Groves, Overdene, Glen Road, Kingsdown, Kent CT14 8BS or telephone 01304-365829 or email

Aug-05: More race news

This is pretty cold news by now but Matt Belfield ended up a DNF at Ironman Switzerland after 2 punctures. Shirley Yarde appears to have won her age category in 11:20:48. The results system on their website works by bib number or surname so I'm not going to be able to do a GB finishers list.

Jul-28: Brits abroad

Apologies for missing these -- too much work to do!

At the Karlstad ITU points race in Sweden on Jul-17: Peter Tiernan was 13th in 1:58:19 (winner was Roba Barel NED in 1:54:02) and Loretta Sollars was 11th in 2:13:07 with Karen Gordon 12th in 2:14:13 (winner was Kim Carter RSA in 2:07:49).

At the ETU Cup race in Schliersee, Germany on Jul-24: Heather Williams was 8th in 2:28:39 (winner was Mieke Suys BEL in 2:20:02).

Results we don't get...

The following is a mild "toys out of pram" moment...

Before people start battering me with email about results that don't get posted on this website please remember that in order for me to put them up the organisers have to send them in! Getting peeved email from elite athletes about not having the results for the National Duathlon Championships and not having the list of qualifiers for the World Duathlon Championships is less than helpful. I want to publish the results as much as you want to see them but I can't make the organisers send them in and I'm not a BTA site either. If you want to see the results then please pester the organisers to send them in to me -- we usually have them online with an hour unless the files are really nasty. We'll even type in the top three by hand if we have to.

Toys are now going back in the pram!

Jul-22: Relays are now FULL

As expected the Asics National Relay Championships are now full, and a waiting list is in operation. Favourites for the Men's Elite look to be Sigma Sport & Asics TFN, only both teams will be slightly weaker due to Richard Standard (Sigma) and Peter Tiernan (Asics TFN) racing the ITU series. In the women's race Asics TFN, Total Fitness Bath and Multisport all have strong teams. As always, none of the Forces teams can ever can under estimated.

Jul-22: USAT appeal Spencer's drug test

It looks like that Ironman drugs test issue won't go away. In a story just released in Inside Triathlon it looks like USAT are going to appeal the decision by the BTA that he had "no case to answer". (See earlier story.) And we thought that this year's Tour de France was having grief...

Relays full...

The National Relay Championships at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham on Saturday 7th August, are expected to full by tomorrow (Friday 23rd July). Anyone wishing to enter, please do not phone to reserve an entry, just send a cheque for £88 very quickly! The event will be shown on Sky Sports for two hours, date to be confirmed. Further details from Transition Sports 0115 9141337.

Jul-21: Ricketts wins again

Julie Ricketts cleaned up again at the Lake Acworth, Georgia leg of the Bally Total Fitness USTS series at the weekend. She finished in 1:59:08 and now leads the female rankings by nearly 250 points.

Jul-19: Weekend round-up

At Ironman Austria on Sunday Beth Thomson placed 3rd (is that the best ever female GB finish at Ironman distance?) in 9:29:10 behind Beth Zinkand (USA) in 9:18:33 and Wendy Ingraham in 9:02:25. Worth scanning the results for GBR as there are quite a few in there.

UPDATE: John Levison just reminded me that Sarah Coope finished 3rd in Hawaii in 1991 and, although I don't have the times, I suspect that Hawaii wins over Austria on status!

In the Frankfurt Triathlon, also an ITU points race and the German Championships, Stuart Hayes placed 26th in 2:01:42 but David Haines, Richard Haines, Michelle Dillon and Heather Williams all DNFd.

Jul-18: Ironbridge

Andrew Johns took the title ahead of Jason Metters -- the two of them had led the race through the bike and the swim but Johns forged ahead on the run to a clear victory. Matthew Bellfield came in 3rd off the bike, just under 3 minutes back and lost time on the run but still finished a clear 3rd overall with Julian Jenkinson 4th despite his illness worries although it was obvious that he wasn't firing on all cylinders.

There were just four in the female elite field and Nicole Treacy dropped out after the bike -- she was one of 12 in the race who had done Säter the week before and was feeling the effects. If she had walked the 21k she would have collected £350 but she probably won the prize for making the best decision of the day and went for a beer instead. Ruth Hutton won with Suzanne Davies second and Dawn O'Shea third. The Säter squad was comprised of those who came to race and those who came to help (thanks Steff!) or watch -- often in disbelief that the others were actually doing Ironbridge. I'm not sure of how many dropped out -- either through mechanical or physical causes but both Daf Belt and Gordon Merfield definitely finished and took their respective age groups.

Full results are now available.

Working in transition is an odd place -- you get to see the whole race unfold around you but you never get to see the finish. This year was much calmer than the past two and apart from the odd blown tyre and the catastrophic failure of a rear mech, we didn't have many dramas to deal with. You do always get some amazing comments though as people stagger through and probably the best was from the lady we stopped to get her to do her helmet back up. "I've just been to the toilet", she said. When asked why it was necessary to take her helmet off to use the toilet -- we weren't being rude, we were just curious -- she said "Oh, it's a woman thing!" and ran on. We didn't have the heart to give her a penalty!

Jul-15: More from the weekend

At the Solothurn Triathlon in Switzerland Andrew Johns won in 1:55:09 after the first finisher, Christoph Mauch, apparently followed last years bike route and was disqualified. Remember, people, it is the athlete's responsibility to know the course... Well, that's what the rules say but it usually helps if the organisers put out the arrows and the marshals as well!! [NOTE: for those of a serious disposition, I'm joking, right?]

Jul-13: Evening duathlon

The Utopia Tri Club, based at Uckfield in East Sussex, are putting on a swim/run/swim/run on July 20th in the evening. Anyone interested should phone 01825-768139.

Jul-11: Other weekend news

At the Graus International Triathlon in Spain (an ITU Points Race) Spencer Smith (GBR) won in 1:52:49 with Peter Tiernan 7th in 1:54:34 and David Haines 9th in 1:54:50.

Jul-11: World Long Distance Championships

The age group waves went Saturday and the elite on Sunday. The age group results are as follows -- we have shown the winning time in each category even if no GB were racing -- and note that the Rank is the overall position out of all male or female athletes. Full results are at the official Säter website.

NOTE: There's some indication that the split times here are not quite right -- at least one reader has reported that the bike splits are not splits at all but total time to the end of the bike. The results on the ITU pages are what we used and they don't seem to correspond to the results on the Säter site...

Jul-9: Charity duathlon

Marie Curie Cacer Care have organised a fund raising duathlon for 18th July in association with Great Ormond Street Hospital. The event is a 2k track run followed by a 500m swim and a 5k cross-country, all around the base of Glastonbury Tor. Cost is £8 for sponsored challenge (entrants must raise a minimum of £25, the race fee will be redeemed if £50 is raised). Those not interested in raising funds can enter for £15. Contact Toby Fielder, the project co-ordinator, at Marie Curie South West Regional Fundraising Office, 29A Market Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7JU or ring on 01460-74381.

Jul-6: Guernsey update

The Opta Guernsey Middle Distance Triathlon is looking to have one of it's biggest fields this year. If you fancy trying a Middle Distance event for the first time Guernsey is ideal with a flat fast course and a friendly social atmosphere. Ferry and hotel B&B for 3 nights start at £133.50. For more details contact Bob Welsh by telephone or fax on 01481-35052 or email:

Jul-5: Lunty loses London

In a surprise announcement last week, John Lunt and his Human Race crew have been told that their services will not be required at this year's London Triathlon. The news came in a letter from Michael Smithwick, MD of Esprit, just three days after the Pepsi Max Royal Windsor Triathlon, telling John that they would be "trying another path" for Race Director. This means that John Lunt, Jasmine Flatters and the entire Human Race Crew, now familiar faces at all the premier triathlon events in the UK, will not play any part in the Docklands event in September.

Whilst there have been several fundamental, contractual, and operational differences between the Human Race team and Esprit over the past two years, John has always striven to provide the best possible event for the athlete given the constraints imposed. John says "Naturally I'm very disappointed as I've spent a lot of time this year attending meetings, site visits, preparing budgets and also keeping two months of my working year free to work on the event. This announcement came as something of a shock, especially coming with only twelve weeks to go and with a massive amount of work still to do on the event."

John, Jasmine and the Human Race crew have just organised another hugely successful Pepsi Max Royal Windsor Triathlon With over 1300 finishers, incorporating the veteran (40+) and junior National Championships, ITU Olympic Points (draft legal) for the Elites, together with relays and Clydesdale divisions and all arranged over the same weekend as the Royal Wedding in Windsor. "It's disturbing that Esprit are happy to jettison the wealth of knowledge and experience that John and I have built up over the last ten years," said Jasmine. "From the early days of the first 220 series right through to the present day, the Human Race Team has been involved in some of the most prestigious triathlons in the UK. We would have made sure that the London Triathlon was a success again this year, but now that will be out of our control." John and Jasmine have always worked very hard to build good relationships with the athletes, sponsors, and even more importantly, there is a loyal following of crew who turn out to help at Human Race Events. These will now be sadly missed at London in September.

The Pepsi Max Royal Windsor Triathlon is planned for Sunday, June 18th, 2000.

Royals at play

Today Monday, there is a 2 page centre fold in the Sun newspaper showing Prince William in his full triathlon glory. So what you may ask? Well, the Sun newspaper sells approx 6 million copies a day and is not generally known for supporting the Royal Family! (In comparison, the European Champs got 3 lines in the Times -- circulation 750,000!) This sort of coverage is fantastic for our tiny sport in the UK as most of the UK population can't even say the word triathlon never mind spell it.

As usual the media used the words "SUPERFIT" AND "GRUELLING" just to re-enforce the crazy image! The Royal Team won the relay race in 2hrs 22min 57 sec. In the elite race James Gilfillan won the men's and Heather Williams won the women's. Full results will follow from the race organiser Gerry Fruin and John Nichols who put on a great event in a very picturesque location. All the athletes I spoke to enjoyed the event and I am sure the race will go from strength to strength.

Report from John Lunt (went to race but came down with a cold and had to watch!)

European Time Trials

The Sunday races were a team time trial:

Jul-3: European Championships update

This just in from Katherine Williams (her Cyber café bill must be astronomic!).

In the mens race, only three of the Brits finished -- and only one of them, Tim Don, was pleased with his result. Tim took eighth, and while Andrew Johns placed as first Brit in fourth, Andrew was unhappy that he was unable to repeat as the Euro champion. Richard Stannard in 26th was the third British result.

Craig Ball was the first to go, pulling off on the bike after his handlebars nearly broke off in a sudden suprise. Richard Allen was next to pull out, coming up with quad problems on the run - maybe a lingering effect of having been hit on the car while training here earlier in the week. And Marc Jenkins never got to start, as he hadn't made it past the qualifier on Thursday. He was already back in Wales by the time the men started Saturday at 4pm.

The 1-2-3 positions went to a very deserving Reto Hug (SUI), Jan Rehula (CZE) and Martin Krnavek (CZE). Johns looked flat on the run, getting passed in the last few laps by Krnavek and losing his hopes for any medal, much less the gold.

But the day's happiest Brit, aside from Sian Brice, was Tim Don. As last year's world junior champ, he was just hoping to do well in his first senior season. "I only wanted to place in the top 15 to get the ITU points," he said. "It's just good to get in there and be competitive. With the qualifying heats and everything, all this is new for me. I wasn't expecting these kinds of results until next year."

British women have never done better in the European Championships than they performed in Madeira on Saturday: Sian Brice and Steph Forrester finished third and sixth respectively. Loretta Sollars was 20th and Julie Ricketts, who got up after crashing on the first lap of the bike, finished 26th.

But Michelle Dillon, who had a realistic hope of a top-10 finish, unfortunately, failed to finish, as did Annie Emmerson. Dillon endured her first-ever tyre puncture, while Annie got sick on the bike and threw up -- perhaps a result of pre-race nerves still unsettled.

The 1-2 positions went to Anja Dittmer (GER), 2:01:08, and Magali Messmer (SUI), 2:01:15. Sian finished in 2:01:42, and Steph in 2:03:03.

Sian's run split was 36:13, third-fastest. Steph, who missed the first pack on the bike, caught several on the run with her 36:32. It was her first international race since London last September, and she was quite pleased with her return to racing. Sian, though initially disappointed by not winning, came to realise that winning a medal was superb in itself. "I'm pretty lucky to have gotten third," she said. "The others were just a bit too good for me today."

Indeed, there were no surprises at the top: Dittmer had taken second in the ITU World Cup on June 13 in Belgium, and Messmer had won the ITU World Cup at Monte Carlo on June 20. Sian's best results in World Cup racing have been a consistent 7-8 place, which is good, but it's not quite the top tier.

Sian saw Julie go down on the bike on the first hill, which was on a narrower street. Because of that, she worked to stay ahead of the group and clear of any danger the rest of the race. "I did everything I could to have a solid race," she said. "I'm pretty pleased."

Jul-2: West Lancashire Sprint is cancelled

Comeston Long Course is back

There is also a super sprint race at Maindy Pool and track on Saturday 17th of July 1999. This will comprise of 3 races of 200m pool swim, 5k track bike and 1k run. The races will be swim, bike, run followed by a run, bike, swim followed by a bike, swim, run. There will be a 15 minute break between each of these races. For further details please ring Maindy Pool on (029) 2052 9230. The closing date is one week before the race.

Any further details please do not hesitate to contact the organiser on (029) 2023 0264 (after 6pm) or in writing to 114 Tewkesbury Street, Cathays, Cardiff CF2 4QS.

European Junior Championships

Once again Katherine Williams comes to the rescue with the results and an on-the-spot report. For full details you'll need to subscribe to her daily Triathlon Digest email newsletter.

Anneliese Heard had the race of the day -- but it didn't last. Coach Bill Black nonetheless called it "brilliant." She came out of the water third, and built up a 35-second breakaway on the bike. She got some nice Eurosport TV exposure out of that ... but ultimately only 10th place. The chasing pack reeled her in on the final lap, and then the Swiss super-girl Nicola Spirig (she's just 17, yet winning everything) took over. Spirig, who had already won the European junior duathlon title on June 13, picked up her first European tri title, 30 seconds ahead of German surprise Marianne Braun.

Heard's 10th was the shining performance amongst an otherwise somewhat disappointing day for the British girls. Kerrie Cloke and Lesley Paterson managed places 17 and 18, while Joanna Hinde, who was really ready for a good day -- crashed out on the bike. She wasn't hurt, aside from a bruised rib, but she was surely disappointed.

Back to Heard. She wasn't disappointed with 10th, and was glad just to hang on for that place. "I had no choice but to go from the front," she said. "I knew the other girls were better runners than me by miles. I knew they'd be around on the bikes at some point, but I thought they'd catch me much sooner. I was tired on the run, because I had gone so hard on my own on the bike." "I did my best. But I've got two more years to try for the (junior) title."

Earlier in the day, the best British effort amongst the junior men belonged to Stuart Hayes, who took fifth, 45 seconds off the winning pace. He had hopes of winning -- he was fourth junior in Worlds last year, after all -- and even led the pack out of the wetsuit swim. But he lost his advantage on the bike, and the Spanish pair of Ivan Rana and Raul Cordoba (1-2) took over on the run. "It's all right. I did the best I could," said the good-natured Hayes. "It's my last year as a junior, but I'm not an expert at the sprint-distance anyway. It's too short for me. I also haven't done a sprint-distance race in years."

Richard Haines, the BTA junior champion since winning in Windsor on June 20, finished 11th. The third member of the team, Scotland's Duncan McKerracher, finnished well down in the field, 44th.

Between the men's and women's junior races were the men's elite qualifiers over the sprint distance. Five of the six men got through, finishing in the top 25 in their heats. Marc Jenkins was the one British casualty, losing out to an unfortunate tyre puncture. Otherwise, Britain will be represented on Saturday by 1998 Euro champ Andrew Johns, Richard Allen (who managed to qualify, in spite of being shaken up by getting hit by a Portuguese driver while crossing the road on the run on Thursday), Richard Stannard, Craig Ball and Tim Don. Spencer Smith, who won at Windsor two weeks ago (and was fourth in Europeans in 1998), surprised the selectors last week when he declined his spot on the Euro team and didn't travel to Madeira.

The elite women racing for Britain on Saturday will include Steph Forrester, making a comeback after being injured since January. This will be her first race back. The elite women didn't have qualifying heats, leaving them fresh for their race. All British eyes are on Sian Brice, who is hoping to win and thus land the British women a coveted third spot in the Olympic-qualifying scheme. (The men's and women's winners here both gain their countries one additional spot in the 50-athlete Olympic fields for Sydney 2000).

Here's the times for the junior women's championship, again run over the sprint distance.

Jul-1: European Junior Championships

Try the official European Triathlon Championships website for ongoing results - here's the Junior Championships, thanks to Katherine Williams. Here are the junior men's results over the sprint distance:

Jun-30: Elaine Shaw leaves the BTA

In a suprise announcement, made at a Board meeting late last week, Elaine Shaw, the BTA's Chief Executive for the past five years, has resigned her position and will be moving to take up a similar post at the Modern Pentathlon Association. All the main BTA personnel are currently in Madeira at the European Championships and no announcement has yet been made concerning a replacement. For the moment the Association's Treasurer, Graham Schuil-Brewer, will be looking after the day to day affairs.

Much has changed during Elaine's term at the BTA and although she and I have not always agreed on issues affecting the grass roots of the sport it is undeniable that she has improved things for the elite. Funding has come in from sources like the National Dairy Council (the Milk series) and we now have access to funding as part of the group of sports that have Olympic status.

We would like to wish her well on her new position.

Other BTA HQ news is that Chris Jones is the new National Coach and will be working with Performance Director Gregoire Millet and that Stuart Coulson is the new Event Co-ordinator.

Jun-28: Europeans

Still nothing on the ETU website but we've pinched the age group results off the main race site and they are now available.

Powerman video

Roth results

Based on previous experience of the Roth computer system I would regard these results as a guide rather than the definitive article! This should be all the GB athletes... Try their website for more if you know the name of anyone else that you think raced there. The overall results were:

FRENCH, Gary, THOMAS, John (NEATH HARRIERS), O'FARRELL, John (HILLINGDON TRISTARS), SMITH, Les (BLACKHEATH HARRIERS), BELFIELD, Matt (BLACK COUNTRY TRI), BAIRD, Andy (ARMY TRI ASSOCIATION), PINKNEY, Graham (TYNE TRIATHLON) are all shown as non-starters.

Jun-25: European Championships

The age group waves of the European Championships take place this weekend in Madeira (the elite go next weekend) -- there's quite a contingent of Brits out there. Results should be posted on the ETU website over the weekend. The timetable for the event is a bit confusing: the 20-40 age groups are drafting on the Saturday morning then there's a non-drafting 40+ group on Saturday afternoon. On the Sunday the male Masters (40-50) go non-drafting and then the 40+ female Masters and the 50+ male Masters go, also non-drafting. Confused? I am!

Jun-23: Mailing list started

Well, to be honest, the Scottish triathletes actually started it but it looked like such a good idea that we've set one up as well! The idea is that anyone who wants to communicate directly with other UK triathletes can join (it's free, supported by "discrete advertising") and can exchange information about races, training, results, etc, etc. The BTA could use it to circulate notices, we'll use it to make announcements about the website and so on.

Jun-22: Brits going to the Europeans

Here follows the official European Selection List as released by the British Triathlon Association on 21 June for European Triathlon Championships, Madeira:

Junior women: Kerri Cloke, Anneliese Heard, Joanna Hinde, Lesley Paterson

Junior men: Stuart Hayes, Richard Haines, Duncan McKerracher

Senior women: Sian Brice, Michelle Dillon, Annie Emmerson, Julie Ricketts, Loretta Sollars, Beth Thomson

Senior men: Richard Allen, Craig Ball, Tim Don, Marc Jenkins, Andrew Johns, Spencer Smith, Richard Stannard

Jun-21: Provisional Qualifiers list

Following Bournemouth and Windsor the provisional draw has been made for the age groupers to go to the 1999 ITU World Championships in Montreal.

Brits abroad

At the ITU World Cup event in Monte Carlo:

Jun-20: Windsor's a cracker!

Having staggered round the Windsor course, thanks to Ken Maclaren for all those plugs and kind comments on the PA!, I just managed to get to see Spencer Smith burn off Tim Don in the closing yards. It may have been a drafting race but the run was good enough to make the result a valid one. Sorry, that should say that the "elite/ITU Points race" was a drafting race but the reality of Windsor is that there are sections where it's impossible NOT to get caught up in packs. The teams of busters seemed to be doing a job out there but the groups were forming earlier and earlier on the course and there's only so much road out there.

For once the rain did come down but it wasn't cold (although the lady who did the swim without a wetsuit may have other observations to make!) although there was a constant breeze which certainly knocked the edge off my bike split -- either that or a serious lack of training... Something also knocked Patrick Barnes out of the race. No details as yet but he was seen being put in an ambulance after falling on the run section and cutting his head. Latest update from Jasmine Flaters:

I collected Patrick from Wexham Park Hospital at around 5:30pm and drove him home. He has a very nasty gash on his right eyebrow which is very red and swollen and needed about 10 stitches. He has another three stitches around the corner of his right eye. He has a few other bruises and bumps, but is walking okay and is very lucid. He seems happy enough and plans to race again in the next few weeks! What a trouper!

The results are all up on John Lunt's Human Race website or there's a local copy in our results section.

Training workshops

Entry forms and further information regarding the event and Leicester Triathlon Club activities can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to: Graeme Hornsby, Race Organiser, Leicester Triathlon Club, 35 Springfield, Thringstone, Coalville LE67 8LT or email

Jun-16: John Williams hit by a car

Mid-week duathlon at Wroughton

The Team Tigershark Tri Club (Swindon based) have organised a duathlon for 19:00 on Tuesday 29th June at the Wroughton Airfield (Swindon). Distances are 2 miles 12 miles 2 miles. The race entry is £6.00 for BTA, £8.00 for non BTA plus £2.00 extra for entry on the night. 220 have apparently published the wrong dates! Further details can be obtained from Paul Waites on 01793-740102 or email

Jun-14: Weekend news

At the European Duathlon Championships (10k, 42k, 5k) in Blumau, Austria:

The British women picked up second in the team competition behind Hungary.

At the Flanders ITU World Cup event:

At the USTS Oceanside in California, Julie Ricketts (2:00:39) came in second to Michellie Jones (AUS) in 1:59:43.

Jun-10: Times article

If you've ever wondered just how PC triathlon could become -- given that we are bound to equal status for men and women and already embrace any and all physically challenged athletes -- try todays Times. Take a look at Bryant's Eye (pp43) which details the growing (pun intended) world of the Clydesdale/Athena athletes. John Lunt's Pepsi Max Royal Windsor Triathlon will be sporting these American-inspired weight divisions but to those of us in the 40+ bracket size simply doesn't matter as it's the BTA championships where bulk is irrelevant and only speed matters.

Rules -- not to be broken?

As a BTA referee and a member of the Technical Committee (for sins long since repented) it really does annoy me that a significant number of athletes are still claiming ignorance of the "change" in the rules regarding gear shifters on aerobars. I say "change" because we first proposed this in 1997, the rule was announced in 1998 and came into force in 1999. It's not like we're changing the shape of a bike or anything - just trying to make things safer in the event of a crash.

To summarise the rules (especially for those BTA members don't bother to read their Handbook, Tri News or the magazines:

• If you have brake levers which point forward -- they are illegal, and always have been.
• If you have gear levers mounted on your aerobars and these levers protrude past the end of the aerobar -- they are illegal
• If you have bar end shifters mounted in the ends of your aerobars see the rule above.
• The requirement that all aerobars be bridged (proposed in 1998) was dropped and will NOT be enforced

If you want to check the legality of your levers do the following test:

1. Hold a vertical line against the front of the aerobars
2. Push the levers as far forward as they will go
3. If the levers go past this vertical line then they are illegal
4. A bar end shifter will be illegal the moment it goes beyond the vertical as it is itself the end of the aerobar

At Bournemouth on Sunday a significant number of bikes came through the checkpoint with illegal levers and, happily, an even bigger number came through with levers that had obviously been corrected. It doesn't matter if you are a first timer, an age grouper or an elite athlete -- the rules will be applied and you may well be taking an early trip home.

If you contact the BTA for advice you will almost inevitably be referred to me because I maintain the rule book!

Jun-9: More from Zofingen

The following just in from Bob Welsh:

Thought that you may like the Brit' times at Zofingen.

Andy Peace had the 3rd fastest second run and put in a very good performance. Brit' Elite had a bad day. JJ RTD on the first cycle lap injured and Pete Dymoke was cold and knackered so he RTD at the end of the cycle. Weather conditions were awful, cold and wet, make that very wet. Fiona looked to have a podium place, probably second, but she bonked and struggled with the second run. She was in second place with 5 miles to go on the cycle, but entered the transition in 4th place. Corina Cramer shocked us all, and herself, taking a 3rd place in her age group. We discovered this when her name was read out at the presentation, fair play to her she then bought a round of drinks, non alcoholic of course.

Jun-7: Brits abroad

Simon Lessing (1:46:00) won at Marseilles. Michelle Dillon won the women's race in 2:03:26. The earlier report was wrong, the Marseilles website was/is still showing the 1998 result!

At Powerman Zofingen Olivier Bernhard won the mens in 6:32:05 (28:17, 4:03:06, 1:58:15) with Andy Peace finishing 15th in 7:03:34 (30:35, 4:26:49, 2:02:37). Peter Dymoke and Julian Jenkinson both seem to be DNF. The womens race was won by Debbie Nelson (NZL) in 7:35:58 (33:03, 4:45:35, 2:14:48) with Fiona Lothian 5th in 8:06:44 (33:07, 4:49:24, 2:40:52).

Although I was at Bournemouth helping out I'm still waiting for the results (the scrum round the sheets was just too intense) -- I've been promised that we'll have them early this week.

Jun-1: News from abroad

At the Zundert ITU points race in Holland a marshalling mix-up led to the elite men doing one lap less than they should have. In the men's race Simon Whitfield of Canada won in 1:42:02 -- Peter Tiernan was 19th in 1:46:08, Andy Tarry 27th in 1:52:52 and Mike McGurk 38th in 1:59:09. Jenny Rose of New Zealand won the ladies race over the full distance in 2:03:15 with Heather Williams 11th in 2:07:40.

This comment was emailed in by Tim Williams:

Further to your report of the Zundert ITU race on Sunday:  The men's race result
is, in fact, complete rubbish as some of the athletes did three laps and some
did four.   I didn't see how it happened but the first eight ran through the
finish gantry after three laps.  Andy Tarry, who was in ninth place at the time,
knew that he'd only done three laps and carried on for a fourth.  Several of
those behind him finished after three - quite a few, including Peter Tiernan,
then re-started and did a fourth.  It seems that  the organisers have just
published the result according to the timing chips as they have no way of
knowing how many laps anybody did!  Andy was actually the first to complete four
laps.

The overall times for the women's race are rather suspect too (five minutes
longer than the race clock) though the result is correct.

At the ITU points race in Milan Filip Ospalay won in 1:42:37 -- Richard Stannard was 11th in 1:44:01, Marc Jenkins and Richard Allen DNFd.

In the French Grand Prix race at Ancône, Craig Ball was 7th in 1:46:28 while Michelle Dillon was 6th in 2:05:35.

May-25: More Brits enjoying success

Still catching up on all the events from the weekend:

In the Bally Total Fitness USTS race in Los Angeles:

At the Triatlon de Coria, an ITU points race in Spain:

In the European Duathlon Cup at Cattenom, France:

In the men's race Gary Gérrard (GBR) placed 20th in 58:10 (I'll have to check my lists 'cos I've never heard of him before!).

At the Lanzarote Ironman (apart from Bellfield's magnificent victory) we also had Janette Beaton placed 20th in 12:38:12 and Shirley Yarde 23rd in 12:56:23. Jacquie Shand (SCO) was a DNF. More details soon on Extreme Tri.

May-23: Daphne Belt at Memphis in May

What a weekend! This report just in from Katherine Williams, editor of Triathlete UK and the daily Triathlon Digest.

Here's a little bit for you - look who's second at Memphis in May,
an Ironman qualifier. As there are 26 age-group slots for Hawaii, I suppose
this means the top 2 in each (of 13) age-groups go ... does that make
Daphne Hawaii-bound???? I think so!!!

       FEMALE AGE GROUP : 55 - 59

PLACE    NAME            AGE   TIME      CITY
===== ================== ===  ======= ============
    1 FREDERICKA RAPP     55  2:49:39 TOLEDO OH
    2 DAPHNE BELT         59  2:51:05 LITTLE HAMPTON
    3 CELESTE CALLAHAN    56  2:53:01 DENVER CO
    4 SHARON BLOUNT       59  3:00:52 LEXINGTON KY
    5 JOSELINE BRESTLE    59  3:18:36 GARDEN RIDGE TX
    6 MARY STEINKRAUS     55  3:55:40 GERMANTOWN WI

Sara Cox also raced in the Pro category:

       FEMALE PRO : 13 - 99

PLACE    NAME            AGE   TIME      CITY
===== ================== ===  ======= ============
    1 JOANNA ZEIGER       29  1:58:29 BALTIMORE MD
    2 DENISE MCLAUGHLIN   30  2:01:21 ATLANTA GA
    3 BECKY GIBBS         24  2:02:42 MINNETOKA MN
    4 JEANNE ANNE KRIZMAN 25  2:02:50 TUCSON AZ
    5 MARY ELLEN POWERS   32  2:03:27 DOVER NH
    6 ALISON HAYDEN       27  2:07:10 TAMPA FL
    7 KRISTEN JOHNSTON    32  2:07:24 CHARLOTTE MC
    8 JULIE CURWIN        34  2:08:32 KINGSTON, ONTARIO
    9 CANDY ANGLE         29  2:09:12 WEYMOUTH MA
   10 KELLI MONTGOMERY    26  2:10:25 WALLINGFORD CT
   11 AMANDA PAGON        23  2:11:03 SATELLITE BEACH FL
   12 ANDREA FISHER       26  2:13:57 AUSTIN TX
   13 SARA-JANE COX       35  2:14:38 CARDIFF CA
   14 MARCI AITKEN        29  2:35:48 HAMILTON ON

Bellfield wins Lanzarote

In his second attempt at the Lanzarote Ironman Bellfield romped home a clear 14 minutes ahead of the Finn, Anssi Lehtinen. The winning time was actually 10 minutes slower than his 2nd place at last year's event -- a telling comment on the conditions. Full details on the Ironman Live website.

May-18: Brits abroad

From the Forte dei Marmi Triathlon, an ITU Points Race, in Italy last weekend.

In the German Top Four Tour Andrew Johns placed 3rd individual and was in the winning team, Henniez I.

May-10: Triathlon and drugs

An article in the Sunday Times indicates that Spencer Smith may have tested positive after last year's Hawaii Ironman but that a hearing held last month in London decided that there was no case to answer. This follows close on the heels of Les McDonald's recent outburst at the Sydney World Cup concerning the widespread (?) use of asthma inhalers as being a possible concern.

Drugs in sport is not a pretty subject -- it's also one that I'm not qualified to comment on so it the bta/ITU or whoever reviewed the test decide that there's no case then that's the end of the matter. The article does make interesting reading - if only to spot the deliberate mistake and marvel at some of the hyperbole!

Brits abroad

At the Triathlon de Rennes: 8th woman was Michelle Dillon in 2:15:16, 9th was Beth Thomson in 2:16:29. Isabelle Mouthon (FRA) won in 2:11:16. For the men, 12th was Chris Lee in 1:57:59, Craig Ball was 15th in 1:58:18 Jan Rehula (CZE) won in 1:56:44

May-05: Windsor is full

For more information contact Human Race on (020) 8399 3579 or email them at

Open water swimming

This announcement just in from Gavin Johnson (): Dates for available swims at the Rat Race venue, South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre. If they could be posted on the homepage I'd be grateful: May 15th and 22nd, June 12th and 19th, July 3rd, 10th and 17th. The cost is £2 per session, 9am till 10am and includes showers, etc.

Eton events cancelled

Two of the three Eton Triathlon Club events scheduled for this summer have been cancelled. The dates that are gone are Jun-06 and Jul-25. The race in September is still on and entries are being taken.

May-03: Brits doing well all over

In the ITU World Cup event in Sydney:

At the Bally Total Fitness USTS race in Austin, Texas (damn, I missed it by a week!) Julie Ricketts stormed the field to score her first pro win in 2:11:30.

Sara-Jane Cox failed to make the start line for Wildflower with an ankle injury.

Apr-30: Waiting for your license?

Headquarters are knee deep in license applications and are experiencing "some problems" with the new computer generated documents. Race organisers should honour 1998 licenses through April 1999 but it'll be May tomorrow... Please don't moan at the office staff at HQ as it's really not their fault and they are running at about half-strength since Gregoire Millet moved to Bath and Kathryn's departure for pastures new.

Apr-26: Brits abroad

The International season is in full swing:

At the St Anthony's Triathlon in St Petersburg, Florida: Julie Ricketts placed 9th in 2:08:02 behind an on-form Karen Smyers in 2:04:33. Last week Julie was the overall winner in the Schumpert Louisiana Tinman Triathlon in Shreveport, Louisiana. She completed the Olympic-distance event in 2:01:36 and finished almost 5 minutes ahead of the nearest competitor -- male or female. (News item from Triathlon Digest)

At the Anzio Triathlon in Italy: Peter Tiernan placed 9th in 1:48:08 behind Stephan Vukovic (GER) who won in 1:46:43. Anthony Shippard placed 32 in 1:56:37. In the womens race, Heather Williams (GBR) was 9th in 2:09:51 and Jessica Harrison (GBR) 11th in 2:11:22. The race was won by Anja Dittmer (GER) in 2:05:12.

Apr-19: More from Japan

Sunday saw the second ITU World Cup race at Gamagori in Japan. Some excellent results again for the large British contingent and a slew of DNFs owing to what seems to have been cold, wet and windy conditions.

BTA wants a High Performance coach

The following email came in from Greg Millet -- anyone interested? The establishment of a Triathlon High Performance Centre at Bath University (a Sport England network centre) is a major target of the World Class Performance Plan. To help achieve the targets a High Performance (HP) Coach will be appointed this summer. The post is funded by the WCPP.

It is expected that the selected candidate will coach the Elite squad, at Bath and elsewhere, as part of the overall programme to be developed by the Performance Director. In addition, the HP coach will plan, evaluate and produce a co-ordinated triathlon programme at the Bath Triathlon HP Centre and will manage the support staff in order to deliver the targets of the World Class Performance Programme.

The job specification will include the following:

1. Coaching at a high - level
2. International technical and applied knowledge of training and periodisation in triathlon
3. Managerial skills
4. Communication skills
5. Applied scientific knowledge
6. Team-player

For a detailed job description, an application form and further information about the BTA and Bath University, please contact: Greg Millet, Performance Director, British Triathlon Association, Triathlon Performance Unit, Department of Sports, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY. Tel. +44. 1225 323 728 Fax. +44. 1225 826 755 email [email protected]

Closing date for receipt of completed application is on Friday 28th May. Interviews at Bath University to be early June (TBA later).

Apr-110: Results from Japan

Results just in from the World Cup in Ishigaki, for more details see the ITU home pages

Apr-09: Lessing declines Windsor

Apr-06: Open water swim day

The BTA Development Committee are running a 1 day Open Water Swim Training camp on May 22nd. The camp is aimed at novices and will be based at Salford Water Sports Centre, near Manchester.

Outline programme for the day is

• Into and wetsuit basics - where to get one from, how to choose one, what to look for etc.
• Open Water swim session 1 - to include sighting/ navigation and transition technique.
• Q&A from swim session 1.
• What sort of open water event to aim for - how to pick your first one.
• Lunch and optional run.
• Open water swim session 2 - to include turning techniques, different starts, group swimming.
• Q&A from swim session 2. What happens if........?
• Session Debrief and depart.

Wet suits will be available for hire (nominal charge) need to know sizes in advance. Further info from Liz Taylor 01902-655969, or email . Likely cost (exc wet suit hire) approx £30.00

Apr-07: Windsor gets ITU Points status

John Lunt has successfully negotiated Windsor into the ITU Points race series which means that domestic elite athletes can get valuable points towards qualifying for the Olympics in Sydney next year. This probably means that the elite wave will be run under and will be draft legal. With the event also holding the 40+ BTA Championships and the Junior Championships it looks like being a cracking weekend.

This is the latest update from John Lunt:

Entries for the Pepsi Max Royal Windsor Triathlon on June 20th, 1999, will be closing very shortly. The maximum number of athletes allowed to race this year will be 1,200. This will include the Keltec Corporate Relay Teams, with one person doing each discipline.

The event this year has British Grand Prix status; is a qualifier for the World Championships being held in Monreal in early September; is the British National Championships over the Olympic distance for both the Juniors (U21) and the Master veterans (40+). Both will have seperate Championship waves.

HOT NEWS -- it is now confirmed that the event has been given ITU Olympic points status, meaning that athletes wishing to race in the triathlon at the Olympics in Sydney 2000, can pick up valuable points by racing in the UK at Windsor this year. This is the only race in Great Britain with such high status. You may see the future British Olympic Champion at Windsor this June!

13 people will be encouraged and supported by the WCPP (World Class Performance Programme) to race at Windsor for ITU points, they are :

If you are hoping to come to Windsor to watch or compete, then remember that we have a Royal Wedding the day before the race and accommodation is extremely tight, so you will need to book now. The official race hotel - the four star Copthorne Hotel - has a few rooms left on +44 (0) 1753 516222 or call the Windsor tourist information office on +44 (0)1753 743900.

If you would like more information on this, or any other Human Race event, then please visit our website: http://www.humanrace.co.uk/ The site is regularly updated with information and results for all Human Race events.

Mar-29: Montreal gets the Worlds in 99

The rumours were hot over the weekend but it seems to have now gone official: Montreal gets the Worlds in 1999 and the date is the weekend of 11/12th September. For the full details see the ITU website.

The course uses the Olympic rowing facility and the Gilles Villeneuve racing circuit so it will be an out and out tactical race -- rather like Cancun. No hills, nothing to break the packs and everything to gain from drafting with the final call being down to the best 10k runner.

Although there is no official statement from Esprit or anyone else connected with the London bid it appears as though they felt that they simply didn't have the time to do a decent job. The problems of locating the race in Docklands where the scenery is constantly changing (the 1998 transition area is now a building site) would have meant a less than perfect solution. Far better to step back and plan a longer term strategy for bringing ITU races and hopefully the Worlds here in the early part of the next decade.

Mar-08: Brits in SA

A large British contingent is currently training in South Africa and several of them competed in the South African Championships at the weekend. ITU points were at stake for those in the top 10 whose times fall within 8 percent of the winning woman or 5 percent of the winning man.

Mar-05: ITU rules update

At a recent ITU meeting a number of rules changes were proposed and agreed. These take effect in ITU races for 1999. Please note, these are ITU rules and have yet to be discussed or ratified by the BTA. The list of changes is as follows, anyone wanting to see the details should check out the Feb-11 issue of the ITU's weekly update. The major change is Rule 2 where the draft zone used to be 10m by 3m measured from the front wheel (see the ITU rules).

1. Motorcycle Drivers to eliminate motorcycle drafting by competitors, all drivers must be ITU certified.
2. Draft/Safety Zone: The size of the draft/safety zones on the bike will be 2 metres wide by 5 metres long. The cyclists back wheel will be the centre of the leading edge of this zone.
3. Protests: All protests must be filed with the referee not later than 15 minutes after finishing. The time to file an appeal is not later than 15 minutes after finishing or the posting of the infraction, whichever is later.
4. Removing swim wear after swim: For a non-wetsuit swim, if a competitors wears a second swimsuit, they must wear it for the entire race.
5. Volunteer Certification: Starting in 1999, all volunteers who work at ITU World Cup or World Championship events will attend a 2 hour certification programme (Level I official) which will be conducted by the TD and the LOC. It will be specific to their assignment and general to the philosophy of the event.
6. Swim Start: Only three types of swim starts will be approved:
   1. Pontoon start
   2. Start line on matting at waters-edge
   3. Deep water start
7. Code of Ethics: Starting in 1999, the ITU Technical Committee will work with the ITU Executive Board and the ITU Women's Committee to establish a Code of Ethics for:
   1. athletes
   2. coaches
   3. officers and administrators

London to Paris triathlon

Did you know that East Grinstead, Dover Deal Tri and the Met Police Tri are
going to take part in the first London to Paris Triathlon race? Run from London
to Dover, swim the Channel and then cycle from Calais to Paris. The dates are
Aug. 10-17th, depending on the weather, and it will be based on teams of seven,
each doing one hour on then resting, etc. Looks really great, can't wait at least 
12hrs sitting in a bobbing boat!

Anyway, give us a mention on the site as we're all looking for sponsors. We need
to raise about £1500-2000 for each team. Seafrance have agreed to provide free
crossing for our support crews and return trips. Iain Pettitt is the main driver
behind it all.

Mar-04: Running Tracks site updated

Tim Grose's UK Running Track Directory has had a bit of an overhaul with some new features and sections added. Each track page has a slightly new format with substantially improved links to maps of the track vicinity (hint - try the UK Street Map link). A section on old (i.e. no longer existing) tracks and a links page have been added and the directory now lists nearly 400 current tracks with full details (location, map, phone numbers, opening times etc.) on about 200 and there's plenty more in the pipeline.

Mar-03: ITU scraps Munich

In an amazing about face the ITU have announced that they will NOT be holding the World Championships in Munich! And this just a couple of weeks after they stated that, despite the DTU pulling out, the race would go ahead as planned (See news below from Feb-12). Just what the hell is going on?

UPDATE: Wednesday afternoon. Information in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald which was circulated round the Triathlon Digest indicates that London may be the front runner to take the championships. Mmmm, this sounds rather too much like what happened the last time the Germans bailed on the Worlds!

This press release reached us last night:

For Immediate Release:
2 March, 1999
INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON UNION
Vancouver, Canada

The 1999 ITU Triathlon World Championships will not be staged in
Munich, as previously announced.

Several cities have bid to host the event that regularly draws up to
1,500 competitors, 3,500 foreign visitors, and thousands of
spectators.  

Competitions will be in the elite, junior and age group categories.

The ITU Annual Congress will convene on the occasion of the 11th World
Championships.

The new location of the Championships will be announced once
contractual agreements are finalised.

Venue Change -1999 Duathlon World Championships

Tim Grose forwarded this snippet he found on www.duathlon.com.

In a minor change for the 1999 Duathlon World Championships, the race venue has moved from Davidson, North Carolina to Huntersville, North Carolina. Both towns are near Charlotte, however Huntersville is a few miles closer. The race date remains October 16th and 17th. The start and finish will be at the Huntersville Business Park, a beautiful 700 acre business complex noted for it's landscaping.

Guernsey Middle Distance Triathlon gets a sponsor

The cash prize list will be a minimum of 1st £150, 2nd £130, 3rd £100, 4th £70, 5th £50 for both men/women with other prizes going down to 10th place depending on entries. An Olympic Distance event will also be raced parallel to the Middle Distance event.

All enquiries for entry forms to at [email protected].

1999 ITU World Duathlon Championship

UPDATE: Owing to a clash with the Nascar schedule, and the resulting likelihood of there not being enough hotel accommodation, the 1999 ITU World Duathlon Championships will be held one week later on October 16-17. (This information from Tim Grose who found it on rec.sport.triathlon this morning.)

On November 13th the International Triathlon Union (ITU) announced that Davidson College located in Davidson, North Carolina will be the site of the 1999 ITU World Duathlon Championship. The event is scheduled for October 9-10, 1999 and will use the same course as the 4th stop on the Dannon Duathlon circuit on Aug. 15, 1999.

Athletes will compete on a run course of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in and around the Davidson Campus. Followed by a 40 kilometer (25 mile) bike course through the beautiful rolling countryside just east of campus. Participants will then run a 5 kilometer course that will finish in the Davidson football Stadium.

The management team chosen by ITU is Premier Event Management, L.L.C., based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Premier produces the Dannon Duathlon Championship Series. Further information will be available on the Dannon Duathlon website as plans are finalized.

Farewell and "Thank you"

Friday 5th February sees the departure of Kathryn Lowe from BTA Headquarters. After a three year stint she has decided to move on to pastures new and, presumably, a lot less hassle. As the person who looked after the race registration, sanctioning procedure, co-ordination with the Regions and generally essential stuff like that she will be sorely missed. It's not clear that the BTA have a replacement for her and, for organisers, sanctioning officers and referees, that's a concern. On a purely personal note I'd just like to record my thanks for all her efforts in making sure things worked smoothly during a time of major upheaval for the BTA.

Craig Ball wins in Oz

Craig Ball knocked nearly five minutes off the course record for the 350m swim, 10k cycle, 3.5k run Brisbane Triathlon on Sunday. His time of 31:26 was followed by Mitch Dean in 31:51 and Levi Maxwell in 32:02. Rina Hill took the ladies race in 34:05 from Natascha Badmann (SUI) in 35:19 and Ute Mueckel (GER) in 35:40.

BTA to split championships

A rumour that has been circulating for a week or so seems to have been confirmed. The BTA has split the National championships across two, or possibly even three races. The age groups D-G will compete at Shropshire while the Masters (groups H-Q) will compete a week earlier at Windsor. The National Junior Championships may also be at Windsor and the elite may do either London or Portsmouth -- anyone fancy a sea swim at the end of September?

Personally I think this is madness! I can accept the idea of the elite being split out if they are to compete in a drafting event but to consider splitting age groups across events seems a very strange idea indeed. How can this possibly be fair -- either to the athletes competing for the age group championship or to the rest of the field in that event? Speaking with John Lunt about this revealed that there has been a move to get the Championships more evenly distributed, they have been at Ellesmere for several years. He assured me that those racing for Championship placings would be in a different wave to those just taking part but there's still the issue of using different courses, different conditions, etc. Yes, it would be a good idea for different venues and different organisers to host the Championships but I just don't get the point of splitting age groups.

More from Oz

In the St George Australian Sprint Championships held in Canberra on Sunday Andrew Johns placed 2nd in 53:11 behind Peter Robertson (52:54). In the female field (won by Jackie Gallagher in 57:33) Michelle Dillon placed 9th in 1:00:03 with Clare Carney 11th in 1:01:19.

Directory of running tracks now online

The UK Running Track Directory website is now in operation. At the moment there is a complete list of tracks that the compiler (duathlete Tim Grose) knows about and full details on all the tracks in the London area plus a few other ones for which he has sufficient data. This means about 350 tracks are listed and full details available for over 100.

More news of Brits "down under"

In the opening event of the St George F1 series Beth Thomson placed 7th, Michelle Dillon 9th. Following a crash on the bike, Andrew Johns placed 7th with Tim Don 15th.

World Championships date change

Thanks to Jasmine Flatters for the following, the ITU website confirms this in their latest news bulletin.

The 1999 ITU World Triathlon Champs have been rescheduled for September 4th and 5th and moved to the Munich Olympic rowing facility. The event, originally scheduled for Munich's Olympia Park on July 31st and August 1st, has been moved because cleaning of the man-made lake revealed that sludge on the bottom of the shallow lake contained contaminants not found in the water test.

Venue Change -1999 Duathlon World Championships

Tim Grose forwarded this snippet he found on www.duathlon.com.

In a minor change for the 1999 Duathlon World Championships, the race venue has moved from Davidson, North Carolina to Huntersville, North Carolina. Both towns are near Charlotte, however Huntersville is a few miles closer. The race date remains October 16th and 17th. The start and finish will be at the Huntersville Business Park, a beautiful 700 acre business complex noted for it's landscaping.

Carney wins at home

In Round 3 of the Sunrice Triathlon series on January 3rd (a 500m, 20k, 5k sprint event) Clare Carney (GBR), won in 55:36 with Sian Welch (USA) second in 55:40 and Lena Edmonston (AUS) third in 57:05.

Johns wins second in Australia

Back to back wins for Andrew Johns in Australia as he took the second in the St George series. Johns' time was 1:52:09 with Mark Lees (AUS) second in 1:52:16 and third was Matthew Reed (NZL) in 1:52:25

Black Country Training Days

Black Country Triathletes will once again be holding a series of training weekends leading up to the 1998 Longest Day. They are open to athletes of all standards and aspirations and although we would like them to be aiming at The Longest Day it is by no means compulsory!!

Our provisional programme is as follows:

• 10/11 April - Setting Up Your Training Programme inc. lab tests (£75 approx. inc. testing)
• 12/13 June - course familiarisation / get the vital last 8 weeks of training right! (£20)
• 24/25 July - last minute panics!! Vital race tips from the experts!! (£20)

Each of the weekends will be fully supported by very experienced Ironman triathletes whose sole aim is to make your Longest Day a day to remember. The weekends are all based at Wolverhampton University's Dept of Sports Science. Discounted accommodation packages are available.

For more details contact Steve Lumley on 01902 820647 () 44 Bruford Road, Pennfields, Wolverhampton WV3 0BA. Race details available from / 01902 374780 (Jenni).

Seedhouse 2nd at Ultraman

Erik Seedhouse was unable to repeat his 1996 victory and finished second overall in 22:25:48. The winner was Holger Spiegel of Germany who took the lead at the end of the first day and set a new course record of 21:41:22. Full results at the Ultraman site.

Coaching organisation formed

The following news comes from Gerry Fruin ().

The Triathlon Coaches Union, a new independent commercial organisation, is due to be officially launched on January 1st. Negotiations are still going on with the BTA regarding the sanctioning of BTA level 1 and 2 courses being run by the TTCU coaches. Early impressions were positive, but responses have become less enthusiastic. However, the intention is to follow on with our successful weekend coaching operations. The first, in November, was a huge success with many of the triathletes 'threatening' to come again! The Union is open to all BTA and STA qualified coaches. Benefits include a database which will link coaches to enquirer's. A regular newsletter. Plus the opportunity to work on our coaching sessions and GET PAID.

Near future activities include the setting up of single activity day's and supporting children's triathlon - usually done for free. The coaches are available to groups who wish to have a speaker on any triathlon related subject. We have qualified specialists from Nutritionists, Sports Psychologists, Sports Massage as well as the obvious skills of the three disciplines. Any coaches wishing to get more information can contact [email protected]

Comment from the Triathletes Homepage: After two years of frustration with the BTA in trying to get certified as a Level 2 coach and two consecutive years of having no satisfactory answers from the BTA's appointed people (yes, I know they are volunteers...) it seems entirely sensible that someone has started up an alternative and more professional way of getting those who want to coach through the system. However, having had a similar experience as a race organiser with the FROGs initiative started by John Lunt, I suspect that the TCU will have a tough time ahead of it. The BTA executive is keen to protect its own and despite much lip service to the desperate need for qualified coaches has provided no real funding and no real initiatives to get the problems solved. That the Welsh have taken the initiative and set up the TCU is a step forward and the BTA now needs to respond positively and quickly.

Brits abroad

Congratulations to Andrew Johns on his win at the first of the Australian St Georges events in Perth. His time was 1:51:00 with Brad Beven 2nd in 1:51:14 and Ryan Carter 3rd in 1:51:30.

ITU dates for 1999

The ITU has announced the following 1999 World Championship Schedule:

Duathlons:
Long Distance Duathlon, Powerman June 6 Zofingen, SUI
Short Distance Duathlon Oct 16-17 Davidson, North Carolina USA

Triathlons:
Winter Triathlon March 14 Bardonecchia, ITA
Long Distance Triathlon July 10-11 Sater, SWE
Olympic Distance Triathlon Jul 31 & 1 Aug Munich, GER
Aquathon November 5 Noosa, AUS

The 1999 and 2000 Triathlon World Cup will include the following races, with plans to increase the number of races to 10.

Other announced future world Triathlon championships are:

Triathlon will make its Olympic debut in the first 2 days of the Sydney Olympics. The women will race on Saturday, September 16 and the men will race on Sunday, September 17.

Guernsey Middle Distance Triathlon gets a sponsor

Opta Enterprises, the Guernsey based company specialising in offshore business development, has agreed to sponsor the Opta Guernsey Middle Distance Triathlon on 29th August 1999. This sponsorship deal ensures that this popular Middle Distance event stays on the calendar for another year.

The cash prize list will be a minimum of 1st £150, 2nd £130, 3rd £100, 4th £70, 5th £50 for both men/women with other prizes going down to 10th place depending on entries. An Olympic Distance event will also be raced parallel to the Middle Distance event.

All enquiries for entry forms to at [email protected].

1999 ITU World Duathlon Championship

UPDATE: Owing to a clash with the Nascar schedule, and the resulting likelihood of there not being enough hotel accommodation, the 1999 ITU World Duathlon Championships will be held one week later on October 16-17. (This information from Tim Grose who found it on rec.sport.triathlon this morning.)

On November 13th the International Triathlon Union (ITU) announced that Davidson College located in Davidson, North Carolina will be the site of the 1999 ITU World Duathlon Championship. The event is scheduled for October 9-10, 1999 and will use the same course as the 4th stop on the Dannon Duathlon circuit on Aug. 15, 1999.

Athletes will compete on a run course of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in and around the Davidson Campus. Followed by a 40 kilometer (25 mile) bike course through the beautiful rolling countryside just east of campus. Participants will then run a 5 kilometer course that will finish in the Davidson football Stadium.

The management team chosen by ITU is Premier Event Management, L.L.C., based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Premier produces the Dannon Duathlon Championship Series. Further information will be available on the Dannon Duathlon website as plans are finalized.