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Written by Zosia Bielski
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Wednesday, 20 August 2008
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Courtesy The National Post Image Courtesy- Harry How 
With a silver-medal win in the men's triathlon yesterday, Canadians have set in motion the evolution of the sport from an individual event into a team one.
Borrowing tactics from the Tour de France, Triathlon Canada and silver medallist Simon Whitfield have effectively reinvented the sport -- with winning results.
Mr. Whitfield, 33, used a 25-year-old Canadian non-contender as a "domestique" who saved him energy during the cycling stretch of the race.
Triathlon purists -- those who believe the sport has always been lone wolf in nature -- have criticized the controversial move.
But Triathlon Canada officials say the sport has been shifting toward a team direction and Canada just capitalized on it first.
"Our goal is medals, not just to show up and be good Canadians. It's a change in the paradigm. It's a culture shift. ... Why not be the first ones to get out and do it and make everyone react to us?" said Alan Trivett, Triathlon Canada's executive director. "We played within the rules."
The triathlon involves a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bike ride and 10-kilometre run, and generally takes athletes less than two hours to complete.
Mr. Whitfield, a Kingston native who now lives in Victoria, last won a gold eight years ago in Sydney, then fell to an 11th place finish in Athens.
Upon Mr. Whitfield's request in June, officials at Triathlon Canada drafted Colin Jenkins from Hamilton to serve as his training partner. They picked Mr. Jenkins-- who did not qualify for the Olympics -- over higher-ranking athletes because he is a strong swimmer and cyclist, a perfect "domestique" for Mr. Whitfield.
Yesterday, the team tactics panned out for Canada.
During the race's 40-kilometre cycling leg, Mr. Jenkins battled it out at the front of the pack, chasing breakaways and allowing Mr. Whitfield to ride in his draft and save energy for his run.
After the bike leg, Mr. Jenkins placed fourth, while Mr. Whitfield sat in 12th, relatively rested up for his run.
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Written by T-Dot Staff
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Wednesday, 13 August 2008
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BEIJING, China -- The process of becoming an American citizen is long, arduous, and often frustrating - kind of like training for a triathlon.
Fortunately, U.S. Olympic Team member Matt Reed is prepared for both.
Reed, who qualified for the Olympic Team by winning the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in April, began his professional triathlon career in his native New Zealand nearly 15 years ago. But he switched his affiliation to the United States in 2004 and now lives and trains in Boulder, Colo. When asked why, he says, "I guess I felt wanted by America. It felt natural. I am proud to be from New Zealand and it will always be a part of me, but my life is here in the USA."
Reed's life, which includes his wife and fellow triathlete, Kelly, son, Lachlan, and recently added daughter, Peyton, changed forever in 2007 when he became an American citizen. The long process of documentation, interviews, lawyers, and testing, culminated in a ceremony which made his citizenship official.
However, this dream - and family - almost didn't happen. Before they were married, Reed had to serve as the support for Kelly, helping in her recovery after she was run over by a 15-ton construction truck in 2002 while training near their home in Boulder.
Now, fully recovered, Kelly has turned to the support role and Reed owes much of his recent success to her, he says. "She is a part of my training, my recovery and my daily life. She guides me and does all the little stuff so I can concentrate on the training. She coordinates the overall training plan and has taught me to listen to my body."
The globe-trotting triathlete began his now thriving career at an early age in New Zealand. His father and brother introduced him to sports as a youngster and he played cricket, soccer, rugby, and basketball (and at 6-foot-5 he was quite good, too). He swam and ran as well.
Reed moved to Australia at age nine, where he completed and won his first triathlon at 15 in Redcliff Queensland in the MILO Series. "I loved how it felt to swim, bike, and run all together," Reed says. "I am not a one sport athlete turned to triathlon. I am a 17-years- in-the-making triathlete."
His favorite part about the U.S.? "The American races have such a prestige. The famous ones like Alcatraz, Chicago, LA are what led me to America," he says. "At first I loved super-sized meals and free refills. Now, I like how diverse America is, with so many different subcultures; each state is like a whole new country."
However, now that Reed has joined the ranks of American triathletes, he races against his brother Shane, also a triathlete and a member of the New Zealand Olympic Team. They'll go head to head in Beijing on August 19. Luckily, brotherly competition is not a problem for the pair. "My brother and I race as though we are not brothers," says Reed. "We hope the other does well but want to kill each other on the course."
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Written by T-Dot Staff
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Saturday, 09 August 2008
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Team now heads to Korea for a week of training before competition
BEIJING, China (August 9, 2008) -- It was a short but sweet visit to Beijing for the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team on Friday, August 8.
The team arrived on Thursday, took part in a Friday morning workout at Beijing Normal University before marching in the Opening Ceremonies in the evening. By Saturday morning, the athletes were on their way to Cheju, Korea for a week of training before they return to Beijing on August 15 for their competitions.
The women race on Monday, August 18, with the men toeing the line on Tuesday, August 19. Both races are scheduled for 10 a.m. local time.
During their Friday morning workout, the athletes were able to get their blood flowing and work out the kinks after a long flight from the U.S. the night before, and took a few moments to talk with media watching the practice.
Following are excerpts from interviews with the athletes on Friday:
*Note: Sarah Haskins (St. Louis, Mo. / Colorado Springs, Colo.) is meeting the team in Korea.
Hunter Kemper (Longwood, Fla. / Colorado Springs, Colo.)
On Training Goals Leading up to the Race:
The main thing for me is get some time in, get some yardage in the pool, some quick stuff. But nothing too strenuous. Maintaining some fitness.
There's not a whole lot of training you can do from here on in. It's more sharpening up, freshening up. For me I'm just trying to enjoy the moment, enjoying Opening Ceremonies tonight and the whole process while I am here in China. It's exciting to be here in Beijing and get the whole Games process started. I'm excited about the race on the 19th.
On Goals for the Race:
I'm not really having any goals for medals. I just want to get the best I can out of myself and let the rest take care of itself. I'm excited. I just want to be relaxed and have a good time and really enjoy myself.
Laura Bennett (N. Palm Beach, Fla. / Boulder, Colo.)
On the Olympic Process and Experience:
It's been quite a whirlwind lately. It's finally here. It's pretty exciting, seeing all the athletes, and just the hype around it. The Village is beautiful. It's been fun so far. We've been pretty tired, so you try to take it all in. It's been great.
On What's Next with Training:
Basically resting from here. In Cheju, just find a little bit of a routine for a few sessions. The objective of finding a bit of a rhythm and getting any cobwebs out from travel.
I'm right on track with my training and am really looking forward to racing.
On What She's Doing after the Race:
Afterwards the family is coming over and we'll be doing a little bit of the tourist stuff.
Jarrod Shoemaker (Sudbury, Mass. / Maynard, Mass.)
On the Overall Experience:
I'm excited. It was so much fun coming in yesterday and being on the plane and hearing "Go USA" after every announcement. It's a dream come true.
On His Training Goals:
I'm just trying to flush out everything right now; get in a good run and swim today and trying to feel good. Then get a good week of solid training and tapering in and then it's back up here.
On the Opening Ceremonies Experience:
I'm excited to racing representing the USA. It was fun to march in as part of Team USA.
Matt Reed (Boulder, Colo.)
On the Olympic Experience:
It's pretty amazing. I didn't really know what the Olympics were all about, with processing and going to the athlete village. It's all sinking in now that I'm here and it's huge to see some people you only see on TV. I saw Venus and Serena Williams and some of the other athletes. I'm just kind of blown away by being around them, now realizing what I have to go and do. It's a pretty incredible feeling. I'm just happy to be here.
On His Goals for Training:
My goal for next week is to try to recover from all the training that I've been doing and keep some good feeling there. Training has been going well. I couldn't have asked for a better lead up. Keep the speed and try to be really fresh going into the race.
On the Opening Ceremonies Experience:
It was an absolutely amazing experience. A reward for all the years of sacrifice and hard work. It makes me proud to represent USA and motivates me to win a medal in front of billions of people.
Julie Ertel (Irvine, Calif. / Placentia, Calif.)
On Her Training Goals:
The week away will be the official taper week, but really just getting some quality sessions, focus on longer sessions where my lungs will be taxed a little more.
On the Olympic Experience:
The processing was very frantic. Today it's sinking in a bit more. I can't wait to walk around the Village.
On Her Water Polo Experience (2000 Olympic silver medalist):
The water polo team has two games after I'm done competing. It's very comforting to see them here. We walked into the pool together from the lockerroom this morning. I almost headed over to the water polo goals before I remembered I needed the lane lines.
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Written by Courtesy 220 Magazine
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Wednesday, 06 August 2008
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Just before the GB tri team headed over to their Olympic holding camp in Korea, we caught up with men's reserve Olly Freeman at a training session for the Herbalife Cup athletes who are competing at London this weekend…
220 How’s the mindset regarding Beijing? It must be difficult when you’re sort of stuck in no man’s land.
OF Well obviously it was very frustrating to have such a bad day in Madrid, but having missed the other qualifiers last year with my broken foot, I guess it’s a compliment to be put in as the reserve by the selectors. But every cloud has a silver lining, and I wouldn’t have raced Hamburg had I been in the team proper, and hence not got my first World Cup podium.
As for these last few weeks, I'm just cracking on with training as usual, and if I get called up I will be ready, but I’m not counting on it. As far as I’m aware all the boys are fighting fit.
220 Many of the Olympians have been training in warmer climes and using heat chambers in their Beijing prep. Have you been doing similar?
OF I have done a lot of heat work in the last 12 months, in St Croix, South Africa, Australia, Texas and heat chambers. I have also done some very hot races recently (for instance, the Tiszaujvaros World Cup was 39 degrees!).
220 Your form in the recent World Cups has been good. Presuming you’re training injury-free?
OF Yup… touch wood! It has been nice to get some solid results and work myself into the top 10 in the world, and now know that I can compete with the very best guys in the world.
220 Will we see you in the UK racing during August and September?
OF At the moment I’m not 100% sure. I'm hoping to be in Europe for the Lorient World Cup, but after the dearth of races in the immediate aftermath of the Games, there are a lot of races in September and October so I will have to pick and choose… and then finish my season at some point. I’ve been going since March!
220 Can you explain your involvement in the Herbalife grassroots initiative?
OF Herbalife have been sponsoring me since I was a junior in 2005, and their involvement has been hugely influential on my development from a young athlete to an elite. Herbalife are now looking to help more young athletes move through the ranks, especially with the benefit of their expertise in the field of sports nutrition. I am helping Herbalife provide the right support for these promising athletes, as well as providing general advice for them from a training and competing point of view.
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Written by T-Dot Staff
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008
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The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are just one month away and six U.S. triathletes are making their final preparations to bring home the gold.
USA Triathlon offers a glimpse back at the qualification process and a sneak peak at what to expect in Beijing on August 18 and 19.
It wasn't without drama, that's for sure. The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team selection process actually started in 2006, as athletes jockeyed for points in ITU events around the world. These precious points were the key factor in determining which athletes would even be able to partake in the three qualifying events set for late 2007 and early 2008.
Jarrod Shoemaker shocked the triathlon world by finishing as the top American at the ITU Beijing World Cup, leaving Olympians Hunter Kemper and Andy Potts, red hot Matt Reed, and another handful of athletes to battle it out for the remaining two slots.
Beijing proved that the third time was the charm for Laura Bennett -- who just missed the teams in 2000 and 2004 - as she finished as the top American woman.
The 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Tuscaloosa, Ala., saw Reed and Julie Swail Ertel punch their tickets to Beijing, but new U.S. citizen Reed soon found out his spot was in jeopardy when the U.S. men slipped down the world rankings. He produced an amazing run of finishes during May and June to secure that final team slot and his own position on the team. Swail Ertel, who had a stellar 2007 with wins at USAT Elite Nationals, the Pan American Games, and the ITU Cancun World Cup, earned her second Olympic appearance, but first in triathlon. She won a silver medal in 2000 on the U.S. water polo team.
More drama unfolded in June as a flood swept through Des Moines, Iowa, threatening the ITU Hy-Vee World Cup, the last qualifying event. But the waters receded in time, and beautiful weather on race day paved the way for great races from Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins to round out the Olympic Team. Kemper, who had been hounded by injuries since early 2007, was clearly emotional as he crossed the line and realized he had become the first three-time U.S. Olympic triathlete. Haskins, a school teacher just five years ago, realized a childhood dream by making her first Olympic team.
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Written by T-Dot
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008
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Set Your TIVO- The Olympics are almost here! Triathlon fans can tune into NBC's coverage during the Beijing Olympic Games live on the internet or watch highlights on NBC and NBC HD.
Here's the coverage schedule:
Women's Race
The race is set for 10 a.m. Beijing Time on Monday, August 18.
Since there is a 12-hour time difference from Eastern Time, the race actually starts at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, August 17.
Women's Coverage
You can watch live full streaming coverage on NBCOlympics.com
Taped coverage/highlights will be shown on NBC and NBC HD late Sunday night/early Monday morning from 12:35 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern and Pacific. (about a half hour after the event concludes).
Keep in mind that this hour-and-a-half highlight show will include highlights from other sports, so they will be cutting back and forth.
Here's the breakdown by time zone:
Live Coverage
Sunday, August 17
10 p.m. Eastern
9 p.m. Central
8 p.m. Mountain
7 p.m. Pacific
Taped Highlights (notice the time for West Coast)
12:35 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern (early Monday morning)
11:35 p.m. to 1 a.m. Central
10:35 p.m. to Midnight Mountain
12:35 a.m. to 2 a.m. Pacific
For the men's race, all times are the same, except 24 hours later (coverage takes place Monday night through Tuesday early morning).
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Written by T-DOT
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Wednesday, 16 July 2008
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Courtesy thisislondon.co.uk Images Courtesy Inc. News Agency ltd.
The parents of a teenager killed by a speeding cyclist called for a change in the law after he walked away from court with just a £2,200 fine.
Jason Howard was convicted of dangerous cycling for killing Rhiannon Bennett as she walked to a shop with friends.
Howard, 36, sped towards Rhiannon at more than 23mph, shouting at her to get out of the way.
With no time to react, the 17-year-old horse management student was hit with the full force of the £4,750 custom-built bicycle, suffering fatal injuries as she hit her head on the pavement.
The maximum sentence the judge could have imposed yesterday was a fine of £2,500. But her parents, Mick and Diana Bennett, want the law changed so that dangerous cycling lines up with causing death by dangerous driving. The current maximum for this crime is a 14-year prison sentence.
Mr Bennett, 52, a roofer from Finmere in Buckinghamshire, said: 'If anything positive can come out of this awful situation, it would be a change in the law.
'This man has ruined our lives. He headed straight at our beautiful daughter and she stood no chance. He cut her down in the prime of her life and all he gets is a fine. We will still have the agony of watching him cycle around town on that flash bike of his.
'He should have got an eight to ten year prison sentence.'
Mrs Bennett, 46, a home carer, added: 'Our life has been turned upside down and now it's a nightmare. My daughter was such a bright bubbly girl.'
The two-day trial at Aylesbury Crown Court heard that as Howard, a line painter from Buckingham, sped towards Rhiannon on a quiet road near his home in April last year he shouted: 'Move, because I'm not stopping.'
Howard admitted he could have avoided Rhiannon if he had slowed right down.
The carbon fibre titanium bicycle was built to Howard's specifications.
Despite its cost, the court heard it did not comply with the Highway Code because it had no reflectors on the pedals or on the back.
Howard, who has a previous conviction and is well-known in his home town as a 'thrill-seeker', was also ordered to pay £750 in costs.
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Written by T-Dot Staff
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Tuesday, 15 July 2008
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We wanted to make sure we had everything in order before we announced the big winner of our BMC TT02 Bike Give Away.
We had over 10 thousand entries from as far away as India and Russia!
Thank you!!!!
If you know Charles M. from Coriden, Indiana, then you know one happy guy!
Charles is the winner of a brand new BMC TT02, tricked out and ready to ride.
Thank you to our friends at BMC for this great opportunity and this great bike to give away.
Even though you didn't get a chance to win this bike, it's still worth it to click on the BMC logo and check out the best TT bikes in the business.
More to come!!!!
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Written by David Wallach
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Monday, 14 July 2008
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In my “pre-triathlon years,” I was fortunate enough to enjoy spend some time with Hunter S. Thompson enjoying his favorite indoor sports-we’ll leave it at that.
As we were hanging out in Aspen watching South Park the Movie and eating a Dominos Pizza, I shared my writers angst with the good Dr. (cuz that’s what you’re supposed to do).
After a lot of talk, most of which I don’t remember, probably because of the mushrooms (on the pizza), he did say something that I do remember, “Have you even interviewed yourself?” You have no problem asking people tough questions, but how ‘bout yourself? Try it, and ask yourself this one question to start “Have you lost your damn mind? See what you discover.”
In honor of the good Dr. I recently did just that, here’s what I came up with. Scotty T, I think I have you beat on the esoteric riff this month.
Me- Have you lost your damn mind.
Myself-Honestly?
Me- Yep. Listen, if were going to get through this you have to take this serious and also stop hogging the tequila!
Myself- Yes, I have, but which time do you mean? At one time or another I think most of us have, but getting it back is what counts. Lime?
Me-No thanks, I’m the one asking the questions, but since you brought it up. Let’s stick with Triathlon. What in the hell did you do?
Myself- More specific please.
Me- Ok, how’s this why? Why did you get involved in this sport.
Myself- I won a bet, is the short story. My mother had passed away from cancer and then two weeks later my wife left me, took the kid, took the car, took the dog, lost my job. I became a country song.
Me-Harsh! Have some more. Back on track.
Myself- I lost my damn mind, I was alone, flat broke, 50 pounds heavier than I am right now and mostly drunk. I needed something positive in my life, I wanted to be a better man for my daughter, my remaining family, myself. A friend lost a drinking game to me and I got to pick the punishment. “Tomorrow we start to train for a triathlon!” Have you lost your damn mind!” was his response. Exactly!
Me- Hmmm. Not the most righteous path, but I get it.
Myself- Don’t hmmmm me pal. I know where you’ve been! It may sound cliche, but triathlon saved my life. After all I had been through mentally, I wanted to see what I could take on the physical side. I lost weight, got in shape, sobered up (mostly) and started to train for the Ironman. My new mantra was “peace love and happiness, if you believe it you can make it happen.”
Me-Ah, you touched on something, the Ironman. No wait, before that, what is it about this sport that you like the most?
Myself- The people. I enjoy hanging out at races talking to people and training way more than I do racing. I love hearing their stories, being a part of such an amazing community. My wife laughs at me, because when I travel, I hang out at tri. Shops instead of bars. I love the people.
Me-So you finish the Ironman, and somehow start to write for that other tri. Mag. How does this happen to a former slow, fat, boozed up age grouper?
Myself- Who better? The idea started after Memphis in May, the race director was yelling to everyone to wear lots of sunscreen, it was 90 degrees out and they were making a big point out of it. I was in line to start the swim, and looked at the guy next to me and said, “I don’t have sunscreen on, but I am wearing a condom!” He looked at me like I lost my damn mind. It clicked right then and there. People get so crazy about this sport that at times they forget that it can be fun, even funny, so I wrote an article ranking the top 10 races based on t-shirt design (Spudman) and sent it in, I had a new job.
Me-So this is your job.
Myself- Nope, I make TV shows(City Confidential, Starting Over, Making News Texas Style, Gangland) this is what I love to do.
Me- Continue.
Myself- I am lucky, I will never be fast, or good, but I have a blast at races. Maybe it’s all that extra time on the course, but I do a lot of thinking and that turns into stories. I get to meet great people and also get to hang out with and talk to pros, it’s pretty cool to be able to pick up the phone and call Peter Reid.
Me- Ok, the Ironman. What the hell did you do!
Myself- You mean, the article.
Me- Of course, the article (I Have The Wrong Tattoo). What were you thinking when you wrote that?
Myself-Not much. The idea had been brewing for a while. I always want to tell a story with a little take away. I do think we focus on the brand more than the accomplishment. I do think Chris Hauth is an amazing guy, and there should be an international symbol for our sport (the T-Dot).
Me- Blah! We get it. But it has to be asked, did you guys make this all up just to sell magazines.
Myself- Yes, we did. You’re right, we exhumed the body of Orson Wells and asked him how do we pull off something as whack as War of the Worlds but in the tri. Community? Just to sell magazines.
Me-Really!
Myself-You're cut off! Of course not. It’s all real.. Charlie Yu is a real guy, with a real opinion, like it or not.
Me-He must have really pissed you off.
Myself-Nope, I like Charlie. When I saw the letter, I was psyched, my wife asked me “have you lost your damn mind?’ He just slammed you and everything you believe in. I told her I was honored to have my writing touch someone to the point that they would put themselves out there like Charlie did, in reaction to something I wrote. Face it not too many people get all that worked up about “How To Shave Your Legs.”
Me- So to confirm, Charlie is a real guy and everything that has happened since then is a snow ball effect from that. So what’s your beef with the Ironman folks, isn’t what you did, sort of like opening a gentlemans club with out Tony Soprano’s permission?
Myself- You mean T-Dot.
Me- Yup. I have to say it, but have you lost your damn mind. What gives you the right to dictate what the symbol for our entire sport. You suck at this sport, who are you to decide that!
Myself- You’re not the first person to ask me that. I love the Ironman, I love that it draws a line in the sand 140.6 miles away and gives people something to shoot for. Crossing that line is the only feeling in my life I have no words to describe. However, why not me, why not now, why not T-Dot?
For the hundreds of other triathlete’s out there who bust their ass to make it across the line, they shouldn’t have something to rally around, to show that they are a member of something special?
Does the fact that I am an Ironman and Hunter Kemper isn’t make me more of a triathlete than him. Hell no. I am not dictating it 2,500,000 other athletes have logged on with their support, but the sports governing body won’t touch T-Dot because they’re flat scared of what the Ironaman folks might do. That makes no sense to me. Ironmen are also a members of the T-Dot community, all are welcome, all the time.
Me-Ok, off the soap box. Next topic. Are you proud of yourself.
Myself-Yup. It’s too easy to get caught into the tragic “why me” scenario in life, why did my mom die, why did my wife leave, why, why, why. It can cripple you, but I never let it. The world is filled with Charlie Yu’s telling you, “you can’t. You can’t run, you can’t bike, you can’t swim, an Ironman, you can’t do that.” But you can. The night I became an Ironman I put my daughter to bed and told her the same thing I do every night, which is what I believe to the deepest part of my soul. “Daddy did it. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything, anything.”
Me- Nice. Hey the incense is out.
Myself-So is the tequila.
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Written by Courtesy 220 Magazine
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Wednesday, 09 July 2008
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37-year-old Wandsworth-resident Fraser Thorne is teaming up with his neighbour Al Mordaunt to take on the Great Kindochit Quadrathlon. Thorne (pictured) and Mordaunt are swapping their sofas and TV remote controls for the adventure race that takes place in the Scottish Highlands to raise money for the Trinity Hospice in Clapham. The Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon is a test of stamina, strength and fitness over some of the most spectacular and historic areas of the Scottish Highlands. The tough one-day endurance race, run in pairs, covers nearly 60 miles and includes swimming and kayaking in an icy Scottish loch and then cycling around it before running (or walking) up and down seven of the Munro mountains. As a final test, the race isn’t considered finished until the competitor has split a melon with a claymore. Thorne and Mordaunt take to the hills on Saturday 12 July 2008 in an effort to raise over £10,000 for the Hospice. “Trinity Hospice is a very deserving charity, close to my home, that’s in need of money to continue its caring and supportive work,” says Thorne. If you’d like to help Thorne and Mordaunt reach their target, you can make a donation at http://www.justgiving.com/frasersbigchallenge. To Subscribe to 22o Magazine or read more click here.
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