Triathlon is a Picnic and some other stuff……

Including race reports from…… Junior Triathlon, Aquathlon, British Championships – standard and middle, Alpe D’Huez, Race to the Bill

So not much then – I don’t think I better go on holiday anymore. I’ll have to keep it relatively brief. Thanks to Guy for organising the sea swim and picnic on the beach on Saturday.

A great turn out at the TriPurbeck event at the Purbeck sports centre on the 14th July and some fantastic racing despite the heat (remember that???). I particularly liked the rivalry that is starting to develop between the TriPurbeck Juniors and the Wessex Wizkids – hopefully we will see more of that in September. Too many great performances from TriPurbeck athletes to mention them all but a special mention for Emily Dighton who finished 3rd in the tristar 1 race in her first triathlon and the Fraser girls who all raced brilliant and ensured that 3 time ironman and dad Peter had to hand out prizes to his own daughters! In the aquathlon ( the first of more to follow on a regular basis next year) noone could live with the pace of Johnathan Greenwood but good races from Justin in 2nd and Liz Hall and Rachel Middle who took 1st and 2nd in the ladies race and Shirley who smiled all the way through her first race that had a swim in it – now you are a real triathlete – brilliant!

Simultaneously in Liverpool Jane King, Johnathan Foot and Alison Milmer were racing for qualification slots in the World Champs in London in September. Unbelievably tough qualification this year but Jane will be flying the TriPurbeck flag in the standard distance race along with Derek Bardsley in the sprint – this is a major achievement – great stuff guys.

Dave Pratten warmed up for the Eurpean long course Chapionships with second place in his age group in the national middle distance championships at the Big Cow….. no really that’s what its called honest. A week later and following the junior’s first go at the track session in Bournemouth (see pic) Liz Hall produced an excellent 2nd place finish at the Race to the Bill – shows that she is carrying good speed into the European Champs.

Finally, the Franster raced the long course at the Alpe D’Huez triathlon for the 3rd time and produced an outstanding performance – 11th overall, first Brit finisher and we think 1st in age category although it’s a bit confusing as lots of the pros were registered as age groupers…… We think a TriPurbeck camp at the Alpe next year is a good idea - there’s a kids tri, duathlon, short and long course event and it’s sunny and beautiful – sign up here soon!

Swanage at the weekend – always a big date in the calendar and I’m sure something funny will happen – I refer you to previous posts on the subject……