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29th August 2006
SUPERSTAR STEVE WINS BEDFORD & INTERNATIONAL BRONZE FOR PENNY!
In a memorable weekend for local triathlon club FVS TRI, Steve Harrison continued his top form winning the Bedford Classic Olympic Triathlon and Penny Wylie won an Age Group Bronze at the European Long Course Triathlon Championships in Holland
ETU LONG COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS HOLLAND
Three FVS TRI athletes represented GB in the European Long Course Age Group Championships in Almere Holland at the weekend. Penny Wylie came home with the honours with a magnificent Bronze Medal in her first appearance on the international stage, and one of only 5 GB Age Group medalists, 4 of whom were female! The 4000m swim, 120k bike and 30k run long distance event was a significant step up for Penny who normally races over the standard Olympic Distance. Prevented from proper pre race preparation due to illness, Penny had to overcome psychological reservations about even being able to compete, making her achievement even more notable! Hearty congratulations from all at FVS TRI! Kevin Smart and Gavin May fresh from their Ironman Austria success represented the men. Kevin won over this time with a super performance on his international debut in the 30-4 age group placing 20th overall with a time of 7:09:19. He was very pleased with his result and looks forward to representing GB again next year. Veteran GB campaigner Gavin May had an uncharacteristic poor race for him with the slowest run of the FVS TRI contingent highlighting his miserable day at the office. Gavin will now focus on the Half IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Florida in 12 weeks time. Plenty of time to regain the edge!
|
Age Group |
|
Swim |
Bike |
Run |
Overall |
Posn |
|
F40-44 |
Penny Wylie |
1:12:20 |
4:09:31 |
2:45:34 |
8:12:10 |
3rd |
|
M30-34 |
Kevin Smart |
1:08:01 |
3:37:20 |
2:20:44 |
7:09:19 |
20th |
|
M35-39 |
Gavin May |
1:12:06 |
3:27:25 |
2:46:07 |
7:28:15 |
29th |
BEDFORD CLASSIC
Steve Harrison took the win at the Bedford Classic Triathlon in a field described as the highest quality yet by the race organiser. Racing in his new top of the range Snugg Wetsuit provided by local triathlon specialist retailer TRISPORTS, Steve was able to take victory by 17 seconds from the next placed athlete. In the lead group out of the swim, Steve was able to make ground on the bike leg entering the final transition in second place. With a comfortable run, Steve took the lead and was never really threatened on the scenic 3 lap run along the Bedford embankment. With a number of significant wins under his belt for 2006 including the National Age Group Championships overall winner at Wakefield, this has been a remarkable season for Steve which has also seen him move into the elite rankings racing at London and Windsor. A very humble and generous champion, Steve is most grateful for the support from Mick Humphris at TRISPORTS, himself an FVS TRI member, who has provided his Ridley bike and Snugg wetsuit and a full support package for the 2006 season. Steve also recognises the support and encouragement from his club mates and coaches at FVS TRI and he now looks forward to finishing the season racing with the elite men at the London Duathlon in Richmond Park in September before continuing his elite campaign with full support from TRISPORTS and FVS TRI in 2007. In his final appearance for FVS TRI, Boris Chambon was 4th overall and second in the 20-24 age group, again with the fastest bike split overall. Returning to France, the former specialist cyclist has established himself as a quality triathlete and will now further his career racing on the continent. Boris is most grateful for the support of FVS TRI and passes on his thanks to all involved in the Club. Also leaving FVS TRI, Graham Markham who also races for the Army has been posted up North and so made his last local appearance leaving with a 3rd place finish in the club, 3rd in the 45-49 age group and a creditable 43rd overall. Graham will be missed by all. Paula Adams continued her good form with an age group win in 35-39 and first female home for the Club in 2:31:08. Although disappointed with her swim time, Paula’s strong bike and run legs (literally!) helped her overcome team mate Jane Chappell who had an excellent debut winning silver in the same age group at the Olympic distance and in her first season of triathlon! One second behind Paula was junior Sean Bradley who managed to complete his first Olympic having come off the bike at Milton Keynes in his previous outing. Sean’s 2:31:09 was good enough to gain age group silver beating many of the senior athletes in the club. Marc Trussell and Mark Robinson also competed in their first Olympic triathlons with times of 2:36:26 and 2:41:51 respectively for the 1500m river swim, 40k bike and 10k run.
|
Position |
|
OVERALL |
SWIM |
BIKE |
RUN |
|
1 |
Stephen Harrison |
01:56:10 |
00:19:37 |
01:00:16 |
00:36:17 |
|
4 |
Boris Chambon |
01:57:58 |
00:21:36 |
00:59:22 |
00:37:00 |
|
43 |
Graham Markham(Army) |
02:13:46 |
00:25:01 |
01:04:55 |
00:43:50 |
|
65 |
Nick Downing |
02:18:04 |
00:27:15 |
01:09:47 |
00:41:01 |
|
68 |
James Grierson |
02:18:26 |
00:27:47 |
01:10:01 |
00:40:38 |
|
78 |
John Burgess |
02:19:56 |
00:29:51 |
01:06:12 |
00:43:54 |
|
95 |
Robert Wilson |
02:23:20 |
00:26:19 |
01:11:27 |
00:45:34 |
|
97 |
Christopher Suckling |
02:24:10 |
00:27:06 |
01:09:31 |
00:47:32 |
|
99 |
Jonathan Gillham |
02:24:21 |
00:25:25 |
01:07:11 |
00:51:45 |
|
112 |
Mark Robertson |
02:26:35 |
00:24:00 |
01:14:37 |
00:47:58 |
|
117 |
Simon Patenall |
02:27:09 |
00:30:46 |
01:10:01 |
00:46:23 |
|
138 |
Paula Adams |
02:31:08 |
00:36:00 |
01:13:49 |
00:41:19 |
|
139 |
Sean Bradley |
02:31:09 |
00:29:03 |
01:17:38 |
00:44:27 |
|
149 |
David Hamill(Police) |
02:31:53 |
00:30:08 |
01:12:27 |
00:49:18 |
|
150 |
Jane Chappell |
02:32:14 |
00:27:21 |
01:20:13 |
00:44:39 |
|
190 |
Robin Snook |
02:35:21 |
00:30:42 |
01:17:23 |
00:47:16 |
|
199 |
Jeff Ryan |
02:35:59 |
00:33:10 |
01:16:11 |
00:46:38 |
|
201 |
Marc Trussell |
02:36:26 |
00:28:59 |
01:19:15 |
00:48:12 |
|
204 |
Dave Coard |
02:36:47 |
00:32:36 |
01:20:34 |
00:43:38 |
|
225 |
Chris Yuill |
02:39:26 |
00:30:08 |
01:15:14 |
00:54:03 |
|
230 |
Michael Humphris |
02:40:19 |
00:32:20 |
01:22:27 |
00:45:32 |
|
240 |
Mark Robinson |
02:41:51 |
00:28:37 |
01:18:16 |
00:54:58 |
|
243 |
Edward Manson |
02:42:29 |
00:33:05 |
01:21:17 |
00:48:07 |
|
279 |
Robert Bester |
02:52:45 |
00:34:29 |
01:15:39 |
01:02:37 |
|
316 |
Sally Harkins |
03:15:58 |
00:41:48 |
01:34:40 |
00:59:30 |
In the mini triathlon Karen Dodsworth made her triathlon debut and won the female 45-49 age group! The shorter race was a 200m river swim, 15k bike and 1 lap 3.3k run completed in 55:18 (swim 5:25, bike 32:39, run 17:14). Braving the river swim without wetsuit, Karen was delighted with her experience and is now hooked! She will move up to the longer distance events next year with the full support of the FVS TRI coaching team. Despite fielding the largest team in the Bedford event, FVS TRI continued to support the triathlon community providing marshals and race officials for the local event for which the organiser was most grateful.
CYCLING
Top FVS TRI cyclist Michael Summers supported Dave Hard this week in his quest to earn enough points to move up to Cat 3. Unfortunately Dave had to retire with a puncture in the 1 hour plus 5 laps 30 mile MKCA Abbeygate Summer Series circuit race at the MK Bowl. Michael battled on but was blocked in the bunch sprint finishing out of the points this week, but having already secured enough points this season to race Cat 2 in 2007. Michael will also be leaving FVS TRI to return to Scotland later in the year and again will be missed by all his club mates. Husband and wife duo James and Tanya Morris-Jones competed in the Stevenage two-up time trial and finished with a 33:34 for the 12 mile course.
21st August 2006
BORIS WINS CONCORDE!
FVS TRI’s Boris Chambon continued his winning form with a victory at the Reading based Concorde Sprint Triathlon completing the 400m swim/20k bike and 5k run in 56:45 (swim 5:22/Bike 33:11/Run 18:11). Only 5th out of the swim, Boris was able to use his superior bike skills to secure the win with the fastest bike split overall. Boris will soon return to France and all at FVS TRI wish him well.
IRONMAN UK
5 members of FVS TRI braved the IronMan UK course based around Sherborne Castle in Dorset. The 2.4 mile lake swim, 112 mile bike and marathon 26.2 mile took in many of the local hills to make this one of the harder courses on the IronMan circuit. Samantha Tophill in her first long distance event recorded an excellent 12:58:51 and a new female Club record for the distance. She was also 4th in the competitive 40/44 age group and 666th overall! First home for FVS TRI was Martin Talbot, new member and another IRONMAN debutant who completed the course in 11:45:07 to finish 327th overall from the 1200 entrants. Kevin Ash was also competing in his first long distance triathlon and succeeded despite major mechanical difficulties on the bike leg. Big Kev suffered major spoke failure as well as having to fix 2 flat tyres. The problem was so bad he had to keep getting off and loosening other spokes to prevent complete wheel failure but still finished with 5 broken ones! Not what you want in the middle of an all day event! Kev finished with a 12:35:07 and was pleased with his time despite his bike mechanical issues! New member Neil Coombes competing in only his second triathlon, took on the IronMan distance and came out with a superb 13:10:04. Neil had spent all year training with Ian Ellery who was not so lucky in the event having to retire with a back injury. Seeking help at 100 miles on the bike course he was unable to continue despite major work by the race physio. Disappointed, Ian will now focus on shorter events having completed several Ironman races in the last few years.
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|
Posn |
Total |
Swim |
Bike |
Run |
Cat |
Pos |
| Martin Talbot | 327th | 11:45:40 | 01:10:01 | 6:13:45 | 04:07:44 | M40-44 | 51st |
|
Kevin Ash |
569th |
12:35:07 |
01:16:48 |
06:34:45 |
04:29:46 |
M35-39 |
158th |
|
Samantha Tophill |
666th |
12:58:51 |
01:15:21 |
07:02:45 |
04:27:31 |
F40-44 |
4th |
|
Neil Coombes |
698th |
13:10:04 |
01:23:45 |
06:24:31 |
05:06:01 |
M40-44 |
123rd |
WOLVERHAMPTON CLASSIC
Stephen Hughes raced the Wolverhampton based Olympic triathlon and completed the 1500m lake swim, 40k bike and 10k run in 2:47. Describing the race as one of the hardest he has ever completed due to the poor weather conditions, he also had to literally compete on the run with the dog population of Birmingham who were using the same course for a sponsored dog walk!
CYCLING
Top FVS TRI cyclist Michael Summers competed twice in 4 days for the third week in succession and earned his best finish to date. On Thursday competing in the 1 hour plus 5 laps 30 mile event MKCA Abbeygate Summer Series circuit race at the MK Bowl, Michael secured a superb 2nd place. In a quality field of Elite cat 1 & 2 riders, Michael was in a chase group of 5 who eventually caught the 4 man breakaway. Sprinting early on the last lap he overtook everyone just to be caught on the line and robbed of overall race victory! Delighted with the placing, Michael has now earned enough licence points to retain his cat 2 status for next season. On Sunday he competed in the Essex based API ERRL Summer Road Race over 70 miles. He retired on the grounds of safety due to the awful weather conditions which saw many riders coming down.
14th August 2006
Ian Conquers Cambridge
FVS TRI’s top veteran triathlete Ian Mackerness won the veteran race at the Cambridge Olympic Triathlon and was also third overall in the open event. The 1500m lake swim, 40k bike and 10k off road run took place in terrible weather conditions which made the bike and run sections most treacherous. The weather was so bad that half the field failed to start the event! With an overall time of 2:08:54 reflecting the poor conditions, Ian was only 8th fastest after the swim but with the 2nd fastest bike leg on the day secured 3rd overall and the top veteran position. Ed Manson also competed and finished with a 2:52:02, finding the off road run course most slippery!
|
Posn |
|
Total |
Swim |
Bike |
Run |
Cat |
Cat |
|
3rd |
Ian Mackerness |
2:08:54 |
23:27 |
1:04:14 |
41:13 |
40-44 |
1st |
|
139th |
Ed Manson |
2:52:02 |
34:22 |
1:25:06 |
52:34 |
35-39 |
31st |
On Saturday Jane Chappell competed in the Thames Turbo Aquathlon and was 2nd female and 10th overall in a time of 29:18. The race was a 426m swim in Hampton open air pool followed immediately with a 5k cross country run in Bushy Park.
Top FVS TRI cyclist Michael Summers competed twice in 4 days for the second week in succession and earned points in both events. On Thursday competing in the 1 hour plus 5 laps 30 mile event MKCA Abbeygate Summer Series circuit race at the MK Bowl, Michael secured a 9th place finishing in the bunch. On Sunday he competed in the 101km Neil Gardener Memorial Race based around Old Warden. In the awful weather conditions over half of the field retired and Michael finished in the bunch for 15th place.
7th August 2006
FVS TRI VICTORY AT WORTHING
FVS TRI’s Boris Chambon secured the win at the Worthing Olympic Triathlon in only his second outing at this distance. The 1500m sea swim saw a mass start of over 300 competitors with Boris managing a 23:20 exiting the water some way down the field. With his favourite discipline up next, Boris was able to carve through the field on the 43k bike course with the fastest bike split of the day in 1:03:57. Boris then stormed to victory with a 35:30 10k run to complete the race in 2:02:56, nearly two minutes ahead of the second placed athlete and with enough time to ease down over the last 500m and wave to the crowd!
London Triathlon
ELITE - Top FVS TRI triathlete Steve Harrison was invited to compete in the elite race at London, joining the GB World Cup and Olympic athletes competing for an $80,000 prize fund. Steve, supported by Letchworth triathlon specialist retailer TRISPORTS, managed a creditable 33rd position from the 60 starters and was rewarded with a time of 1:55:22. The elite race is different to normal age group events in that competitors are allowed to work together on the bike leg, racing on closed roads in a bunch like in a normal cycle road race. The race then comes down to a tactical battle with weaker cyclists sitting in on the bike and saving themselves for the run. In a brutal swim, Steve was unable to latch onto the lead swim group due to all the barging and physical contact typical of the elite race, and so came out of the water with the 3rd bunch. Finding himself isolated on the bike leg behind the fast cycle group but ahead of the second bunch, Steve worked with another competitor but was soon swallowed up by the trailing group. This meant Steve was then off the main pace and so would always finish mid field despite putting in a super run leg to leave behind most of the group he had cycled in with. His swim time was 20:56 for the 1500m swim in the Royal Victoria Docks, 58:53 on the bike which saw the course take in many of the London landmarks, out through Canary Wharf, along the Embankment past the London Eye and turning back at the Houses of Parliament to finish back at the Excel centre in Docklands. Finishing the race with a 33:17 10k gave an overall time of 1:55:22. Given that this was only Steve’s second elite race, he still has a lot to learn and will enter winter training determined to improve his swim time by the minute or so necessary to bring him out with the main bunch. In the meantime FVS TRI coaches will work with Steve to simulate the physical aspects encountered at the start of the elite race!
OLYMPIC - In the age group event, 6 FVS TRI members raced in a number of different waves over 2 separate courses, all due to the fact that London is the biggest triathlon in the UK spread over 2 days. Neil Mercer was the fastest with an excellent time of 2:30:40. Andy Procter and Dave Coard were very close despite having very different swim and run times, Andy just winning by 4 seconds. Robbie Laughton completed his first Olympic for FVS TRI with a 2:37:48 and Lee Baddock and Helen Weavers completed their first ever Olympics in 2:47:58 and 2:58:54
Results
|
Name |
Swim |
T1 |
Bike |
T2 |
Run |
Total |
|
Neil Mercer |
00:24:59 |
00:02:51 |
01:12:12 |
00:01:59 |
00:48:42 |
02:30:40 |
|
Andrew Procter |
00:27:36 |