IN SEARCH FOR NEXT OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

September 22, 2011

Triathlon Australia has today launched an exciting nation-wide search for future Olympic champions in what has been described as “the most significant development concept the sport has ever undertaken.”
 
Four internationally successful, high profile coaches have been appointed as Australia’s new State Talent Coaches (STC) to start the search and develop a pathway for the development of athletes (aged 14-17 years).
 
Triathlon Australia with the State Associations will target these athletes for 2016 and primarily the 2020 Olympic Games in what will be an extensive State Talent Academies (STA) program, divided into four specific regions.
 
The four State Talent Coaches and their specific regions are:

• Craig Walton (QLD and NT), the Sydney 2000 Olympian, Olympic gold medal coach and AIS Coach of the Year.
• Keiran Barry (NSW and ACT) who coached his partner Nicole Hackett to the 2000 World Championship in Perth and onto the 2000 Sydney Olympic team.
• Chris Lang (WA), the respected former Gold Coast-based coach of Brad Kahlefeldt who will re-locate to head up the WA program.
• Jan Rehula (VIC, TAS and SA), the Sydney 2000 Olympic bronze medallist and current Korean National Team coach from the Czech Republic.

The Australian Sports Commission funded program has been 18 months in the making and will see the creation of a “camps-based program” alongside a home training environment with their home coaches.
 
The STA will target athletes who are four to seven years away from international elite triathlon careers.
 
It will provide the “new discoveries” with a pathway from the State Junior Development programs to the State Institute and Academy programs (SIS/SAS).
 
They will then progress into Triathlon Australia’s High Performance program, including the AIS Triathlon program – the pathway on to the international stage.
 
Triathlon Australia’s National Performance Director, Michael Flynn is excited about the new direction for the sport and believes that the timing should boost the potential for Australia to maintain its standing as one of the premier countries in International triathlon for the future.
 
The recent World Championship Series and Beijing Grand Final has seen Great Britain take over the dominance of the sport.
 
Outstanding “triathlete of the moment” Alistair Brownlee and brother Jonny Brownlee took the World Championship pointscore quinella in the Elite men after Alistair won the Grand Final.
 
Fellow Brit Helen Jenkins was also crowned overall women’s world champion and the Brits also filled the first three placegetters in the under 23 men’s event.
 
“Australia has a great history in triathlon, statistically the best of any country with 40 percent of the total elite medals won at a World Championship level won by Australians,” said Flynn.
 
“But we just can’t rely on the same pathways of development that we have done over the years, we have to be more proactive and become competitive in the search for the next generation of talented youngsters who we can take to the Olympic Games and ITU World Championships.
 
“The International competitive arena has changed and Australia needs to be proactive about moving forward with this change or be left behind. 
 
“We will be looking at swimmers, cyclists and runners from the age of 14 and above and with their coaches develop those athletes and coaches to find the next “Emma”, Brad Kahlefeldt or Chris McCormack.
 
“Athletes who may start as good young cross country runners and end up being a champion at the Olympic, Sprint, Half Ironman or Ironman distances like “Macca” who has been successful across all disciplines. Triathlon Australia’s priority is the ITU World Championship events and in particular the Olympic Games events but who knows where athletes will end up.
 
“It’s actually a similar path to how Emma Jackson was discovered by Queensland coach Stephen Moss in the Queensland State Cross Country Championships and look where she is now – fourth overall in this year’s ITU World Championships in her first year out of the junior age group.

“I believe the STA program will be the most successful development concept the sport has ever undertaken and we may need to look at this type of program separately for females and males.
 
“In saying that we should also be looking at developing coaches who can coach both males and females to international success.”
 

Media inquiries:
 
To interview any of the coaches please contact:
 
Ian Hanson| Managing Director
Hanson Media Group
Mobile 0407 385 160 

Australian paratriathlete, Bill Chaffey, claims 1st place at the ITU World Championships in Beijing, China on the weekend of 10 & 11 September.

Click here to find out more about Bill’s achievement on the world stage!

Race Report – ITU World Triathlon Championship, Beijing

Congratulations to TWA TEP athlete, Ashlee Bailie, on her 2nd place at the ITU Junior World Championships, held in Beijing, China on the weekend of 10 & 11 September.

Click on the following link to read Ashlee’s detailed race report.

 Ash Bailie – Beijing Report

Well done, Ashlee.  All at TWA are very proud of you!

ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final

Congratulations to all the WA athletes who competed at the the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Beijing, China, on the weekend.

Results as follows:

SPRINT & OLYMPIC DISTANCE

 Click here to view a full list of results.

Ironman 70.3 World Championships

After 5 years in Clearwater Florida, the Marines Ironman 70.3 World Championships found it’s new home in Las Vegas, Nevada. With it came a challenging course that would separate the boys from the men, and the girls from the women. In the pre-race pasta party, the course was described as having no flat spots; it was a continual up and down.

 As morning broke at Lake Las Vegas and the sun poked through the picture perfect backdrop, 1500 athletes completed their final preparation in transition before heading to the start line. The swim was non-wetsuit, with the water sitting at 27 degrees. After a minute silence as a mark of respect for the victims of 9/11,  the pro athletes entered the water and the race was under way.  1400 age groupers followed in the next 14 waves.

In the week lead up to the event most days saw temperatures in the low 40′s. With a clear sky and a light breeze a maximum of 33 was expected. The locals described it as a great temperature for racing… We’ll leave that one to the athletes!

The ride took the athletes from Lake Las Vegas, through Lake Mead National Park and into Henderson Pavilion, then home to transition 2.  A 3 lap up and down run course provided great viewing for spectators. The atmosphere was electric with thousands of supporters braving the heat to cheer the 1500 athletes across the line.

The awards “pool” party will be a great way to celebrate everyone’s achievements over the weekend.

Results for WA athletes as follows:

Congratulations to all who took part in the Marines Ironman 70.3 World Championships. You have all done WA proud!

PROFESSIONALS – TOP 3 MALE & FEMALE

OTHER AUSSIE PRO ATHLETE FINISHERS

WA STATE TALENT ACADEMY COACH

The Board and staff of Triathlon Western Australia would like to welcome Chris Lang, WA’s new State Talent Academy Coach to the team.

Recently, Chris was introduced to many of our Junior athletes, parents and coaches at a meet and greet session at Sports Lotteries House.

Click here to read more.

STC Novice Training Course

Stadium Triathlon Club’s next Novice Triathlon Training Course will commence on September 24, 2011

Click here for the course information or see our website www.stadiumtriclub.com

 A Cycling Skills session is also be conducted on September 18. Please see the information under Latest News on our website.

Ash Bailie – August Report

TWA TEP athlete, Ashlee Bailie, has been working hard in Europe in preparation for racing at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final, in the Junior event, on 10-11 September.

We wish Ashlee all the best and look forward to keeping you up-to-date with how she goes.

Click here to view Ashlee’s August update.