23 January 2015 1 - Wellington Triathlon Club

23 January 2015
The triathlons have been coming thick and fast but for most of us the biggest races are still to come.
National sprint champs are only a week away in Kinloch and don’t get me started on March where the
Club champs, Ironman NZ, Sovereign Series at Waitangi Park and Nationals in Auckland will be
clogging up my weekends. As Jemaine Clement would say, “It’s business time.”
Membership 2014/15
The new season's registrations are already over the number we had last season but we want to get a
club membership PB so keep on signing people. Membership benefits this season range from the
popular free club organised Saturday swim bike run sessions from January through to the end of March
through to free sausages at the monthly Scorching triathlons. If you are a regular pool swimmer you
can save more than $100 on annual swim membership. Simply use your Tri Club membership to claim
the ‘Aquatic club discount’ through WCC. To find out more about our membership benefits check out
our website here and to register please go to this link. Note that as of 1st January the fees for
membership have increased by $10.
Club Uniform
We've had a great response on our awesome $10 offer on club branded running singlets with
registration this season. Unfortunately we only have a few in stock from last year but we have just
placed a bulk order for a whole lot more so we will get those out to you as soon in the New Year as
possible - either by catching up with you at one of our local races (Scorcher or Splash and Dash),
collecting it off one of the committee members during the week in town or if all else fails we'll post it out
to you. Those of you who still haven't registered for the season get in quick as this $10 offer on singlets
will only be available until the end of the year. If you are keen on getting your hands on some of our
other club gear you can order it on-line here.[AM1]
Some Results:
Being tri geeks, we do our best to track online how our members get on in races. However this can be a
complicated task so unfortunately we miss people, causing great angst I'm sure! Please make sure you
contact us here and tell us if we are constantly missing your amazing results or if you are doing a cool
race overseas and you want to get some kudos for it in the newsletter or on Facebook.
Port of Tauanga – National Long Distance champ results
How good was that elite men's race with Braden Currie splitting up 2 of the absolute legends of
Triathlon. I was so excited I wandered around onto the Mount Track to see who might be coming
around in first and it was no surprise to see Crowie crusing his way to another title.
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For our club members it was all about the ladies with 5 medallists that we spotted:
Ngarama Milner-Olsen, silver in 30-34 and 10th overall to take out the 'Steelman' club half ironman title.
Nicole O'Donnell silver in 20-24, followed closely by Bronte Tennant who got the bronze in the same.
Leanne Matthews silver in 40-44 and Viv bronze in the same group despite a tough day at the office.
Also honourable mentions to Angie Keen who was a very close 4th in 25-29 and Anthea who set a
huge PB but just missed the top 5.
On the men's side it was a Sweet day for Richard Sweetman our oldest club member who got a silver
in 65-69. Also should point out that this is Richards 30th consecutive year of membership, awesome
stuff. Just out of the medals but earning club points were Brett Hoskin in 4th for 45-49 and Matt Appleby
in 5th for 40-44, Matt also picking up the men's Steelman title for 2015 with his 4:33 ‘training day’
Auckland 70.3
The final time this race is being held in Auckland and perhaps a smaller turn out as a result. Some
stellar performances from our club members on a hot and humid day. Nat Gaskin baked up from last
years with a brilliant top 10 overall and 3rd age grouper in 4.47 (1.35 run), just missing out on gold in
her age group behind uber swim-biker Vanessa Murray. A few tough tempo run sessions with her usual
training hacks should bring her into top shape to be able to run down Vanessa at IMNZ in 7 weeks time
Chris Nichols and Luwane Schuster were just outside 5 hours and close to the business end of the
tough 45-49 age group. Simone Robbers produced a great all-round performance to pick up 4th in the
40-44 age group, and Anthea M backed up brilliantly from Tauranga last week to be close to the front of
Nat's age group. Seems like the swim was a bit long so times were a bit slower than previous years.
Saturday Club Swim Bike Run sessions
We have had 2 of these free club sessions now and they have proven fun and challenging. Last
week’s session was held at Haitaitai and we had a solid group of swimmers chasing each other through
the yachts. The majority followed CuzBro tours up and over every hill around the bays and I am still
astounding that we had 15 people on TT bikes fighting their way up Hungerford Rd which I now know is
the steepest street in the world. Here is a response from first timer Jan Esquilant ‘A huge thank you to
those of you there at haitaitai beach this morning! Your support and welcome to me today was
fantastic. It made the whole experience that much better. Can't wait to do more, maybe after a lie down
tho!’. So what are you waiting for, come down and join the fun.
Check for updates on https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonTriathlonClub
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Still a bit stunned post Hungerford
Next Splash n Dash is the race for the Nuts.
Last year a group of lads combined their 2 favourite things, triathlon and prancing around in public with
just their budgie smugglers on to create the first annual non wetsuit splash n dash. Last year’s champ
Cam McKay is putting his (chocolate) nuts on the line and all you have to do to take them is be the first
finisher in the long swim and 5km run with the minimal use of clothing along a packed Oriental Parade.
We have introduced a new rule (rule 2) that if the first male finisher is followed in within 3 minutes by
the first minimalist female (so 2 minutes removing the 1 minute men’s headstart) then he must hand
over his nuts to said female. The sea temperature is surprisingly mild after the recent sunshine so why
not join in the fun.
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“Don’t worry I’m a Doctor”
Chicago travel packages
A lot of you will have the Chicago World Standard Distance champs on your radar for this year. Sport
by BCD Travel, a sponsor of the Wellington Triathlon Club, have prepared a pretty cool travel package
for members hoping to qualify for the ITU World Triathlon Champs which will be held on the 15-20
September 2015. It would be great to travel and stay together as team Wellington - read more about
this fantastic offer here.
Other Races you might be interested in
Would you be surprised if I told you that there was a half ironman just 60km away from Wellington.
Picton is the venue for the Sounds half which a few club members are going to enter, it isn’t too late to
book ferry tickets and get in on the action this Waitangi weekend – the course really does sound
phenomenal.
http://www.ultimatetriathlete.co.nz/page14.html
The Taranaki Half is unfortunately on the same day Saturday Feb 7 and they also host std and sprint
triathlons on the same day and all on an exceptional waterfront course
http://www.nphalfironman.co.nz/home
The Manawatu Tri club host a range of events and are holding a ladies only triathlon out of the Lido
pool on Feb 15. Go to http://www.triclub.co.nz for more information and to enter.
The Kapiti Womens tri on March 1 is run by the Splash n Dash supremos Evelyn and Tommo, it is a
great venue and a very welcoming race, more information here http://www.kwt.org.nz/
Looking for your next off season triathlon holiday? The Fiji International Tri Festival is running from
June 5-7 with Long Course, Sprint and Enticer triathlons, Kids Aquathon, two Fun Runs, Ocean Swim
and associated clinics. And this year you can also watch top triathletes racing in the ITU World Cup
race with Wellingtons top Technical Officials also fighting for selection.
http://www.tritravel.com.au/triathlon-tours/fiji-international-triathlon/
Strava Stalking K-Mac
Kate would be the first to admit she did not have the best season in 2014 but still it seemed a tough call
for her to miss out on Tri NZ funding in 2015. She seems determined to prove Tri NZ wrong and our
Strava spies are saying her recent bike splits have been something outrageous. Keep it up K-Mac we
can’t wait to see you smash it up on the world circuit this year.
Monthly Quiz
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Every newsletter we usually have a tricky 'Who am I?' puzzle for you to work on. There are no prizes,
just the honour of being named in the next newsletter.
Q. M sporting career was marked by consistent failure until I changed to a new discipline and found
enough discipline to force myself into the national team. From there it was a story of success and cult
status as I became a fan favourite for some of my antics including the use of a new technology
‘skinsuit’. Currently one of my biggest goals is to be next to Lake Michigan on Sept 20. Who am I?
Answers to me here.
Edd Saunders passed through Wellington on his OE last month and before you knew it he had
decided to call us home. A big part of his decision was the work life balance he saw people
have in our wonderful city, don’t we know it. If anyone is interested in employing this charming
triathlete and business graduate just let him know!
So how did you get into triathlon?
I was in London for the 2012 Olympics. At the time I had just got into running, after witnessing my father
running a marathon (and figuring I could probably do one too). Seeing these guys go flat out for a
couple of hours, swimming cycling and then running seemed like an odd concept, but for some reason
it made me want to have a go. Two and a bit years later, I'm hooked!
Your most significant triathlon achievement?
I've had a couple of age group wins, but the feeling of completing my first Olympic distance half an hour
quicker than I anticipated is yet to be beaten. Aside from that, it has influenced other aspects of my life.
I know the virtue of pushing myself, of keeping calm and overcoming frustration to achieve a goal.
What else would you like to achieve in your triathlon career?
A top step on the podium.
What is your favourite race and why?
The London Triathlon, because it was my first Olympic distance and still holds positive memories for
me. It culminated a year of hard work, and I can still taste the beer at the finish line ;)
What would your words of advice be for a beginner triathlete?
It doesn't have to be expensive. I did my first race on a hybrid with flat tyres and still placed quite well!
Put in the training and you will be rewarded. And remember, endurance sport is all in your head.
Quick Questions
Best discipline: Cycling
Your most epic bike ride: I went out for a short ride late last year and ended up doing 100km following
the Tour of Britain route through East Sussex.
Ironman or Olympic distance: Olympic (First Half this year, Iron in a few years time)
Your role models: The Brownlees, Froomey and Jo Pavy (I'm a Brit in case you hadn't guessed ;) )
What tri means to you in 10 words:
A good excuse to buy a shiny fast new bike.
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Edd and his dad post the London Tri
Em’s Rockin’ Recovery Burritos
Em is the creator of Em’s cookies and a 3 time coast to coast champion, we reckon she knows a bit
about what makes good eating:
You’ve just smashed yourself on a big session and need to replenish the stores. Feeling tired, cooking
is probably the last thing you feel like doing, but this recipe is quick and easy and totally delicious and
nutritious! The other great thing about this meal, is that it exceeds the nutritional requirements for
carbohydrate and protein for a post-workout recovery feed.
http://www.powercookies.com/news/post/ems-rockin-recovery-burritos/
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January 24th - Club novice and youth champs (for ages 10-15) as well as all the usual distances
at the next Scorcher (see you tomorrow trendsetters!)
January 28th - Non-wetsuit splash and dash (enter here): the tri club sponsors this event by
providing a box of chocolate nuts to the first non-wetsuit swim/runner across the line. Prepare to
see things you wish you hadn't.
February 7th - the inaugural Marlborough Sounds half ironman (check out the spectacular
course here)
March 1st - Club Standard distance champs (for ages 20+) at the last of the regular Scorchers
for the summer (details here) .
Apply for membership of the tri club here:
https://regonline.activeglobal.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1310887
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