>>> 2015 Bastion winners crowned at Hever Castle 

The Bastion will take place on 10th July 2016 and begins with a 3.8km unique swim at the Italianate loggia in Hever Castle, taking competitors down the length of the main lake before passing the Japanese teahouse and heading into a scenic river section.

The 180km three-loop bike course represents one of the toughest iron-distance routes on offer in the UK, with around 2,800m of ascent covering ‘areas of outstanding beauty’ in the High Weald area of Kent, before passing through Hartfield and over the Ashdown Forest.

The marathon covers a four lap run route mainly an off road trail run, circumnavigating the two stunning estates of Hever Castle and Chiddingstone Castle before an iconic finish in front of the Hever Castle drawbridge that once gave passage to King Henry VIII.

An amazing, unforgettable experience

Athletes are treated to an amazing event village to top off the whole experience, with live bands playing throughout the day, a climbing wall, archery, catering, bike support and more. You’ll cross the finish line in front of Hever Castle with a medal, T-shirt and memories that will last a lifetime.

Last year’s event was won by pro triathletes Darren Jenkins and Bethan Fowler, whilst behind them came hundreds of amateur triathletes with their own stories of courage and endeavour. Amongst them was Anthony Gerundini, who was completing his 100th iron-distance triathlon, whilst many had chosen The Bastion as their first time at attempting what many consider the ‘toughest one-day physical challenge’ in the world – drawn by the amazing athlete support and welcoming atmosphere present at all Castle Triathlon Series races.

In addition to the iron-distance triathlon, the event will also run concurrently a long distance aquabike and open water swim events – providing the ultimate long course supported training experience with all the atmosphere of a major triathlon running at the same time.

Enter here for another amazing Bastion Triathlon at Hever Castle on the 10th July 2015. 

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Will you be entering The Bastion next year? Let us know in the comments below!

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Also in this month’s issue:

Secrets of Ironman success: boost your physical and mental endurance

Smash your A-race: beginners’ training plan, master the 21km run, how to beat fatigue

Brunt vs Isoman: our Weekend Warrior shares his racing woes

Big helmets grouptest: 10 aero lids rated for race day 

Orbea Ordu triathlon bike first ride

PLUS wetsuit giveaway: win a Blueseventy kit package worth £780

Martyn Brunt swimming 7 miles for the IsoMan (Image: Ian Cook / Dirty Green Trainers)

Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.

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Bonus digital content includes: watch cover star Ben Dijkstra win the Youth Olympic Games; view race highlights from this year’s Engadin Swimrun; see eight-year-old Bailey Matthews complete the Castle Howard Triathlon.

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This year’s race (map here) will feature a new swim start and two transitions, and this year returns to Olympic distance (1.5km swim/40km bike/10km run) – but the cobblestones will remain. Let’s hope the weather’s better than last year too.

Women’s preview

The peerless Gwen Jorgensen is sitting this one out, meaning compatriots True and Katie Zaferes have the opportunity to score valuable points on Saturday (22nd August) that could narrow their gap in the title race.

All-American women’s podium at WTS Gold Coast 2015

Zaferes has racked up five podium finishes this year and sits just 355 points behind Jorgensen. True has scored two podium finishes this year and rounds out the top-three in the title chase.

There are just two British women racing in Stockholm on Saturday – Jessica Learmonth, who’s enjoying a fine first WTS season having led out of the swim at WTS Auckland, and India Lee who recently won the Windsor Triathlon and came 49th at the Rio 2016 test event.

Other podium threats include fourth-ranked Andrea Hewitt (NZL), who finished second to True at last year’s event, and reigning Olympic champion Nicola Spirig (SUI), who’s raced just one WTS event this year – claiming bronze in Cape Town. Spirig has since earned her spot in Rio with a win at the Baku European Games and the European Championships. Full start list here.

The women’s race will be contested at 12:25pm local time (11:25 UK time) on Saturday 22nd August. UK viewers can watch the action live on BT Sport (£), and online at triathlonlive.tv (£). Highlights are on BBC Two on Sunday 23rd at 5:15pm.

Last year’s uphill transition at WTS Stockholm

Men’s preview

Series points leader Javier Gomez (ESP) is undoubtedly the man to beat on Sunday (23 August) – both Brownlees being absent – but Mola is just 331 points behind his compatriot, and already has four podium finishes to his name this season.

A win in Sweden would put Mola top of the leaderboard if Gomez doesn’t finish in the top two. Fernando Alarza sits third in the series points race, and will push hard for more.

Matthew Sharp is the sole Brit racing – his top results so far this year include ninth at the ETU European Champs in Geneva, and fourth at the Quarteira ETU Triathlon European Cup event. 

Both Brownlees are missing Stockholm this year

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Australia’s Aaron Royle could be a podium threat and had a superb race at the Rio 2016 test event recently, while fellow Aussie Ryan Bailie is also enjoying a strong run after a career-WTS high fourth-place finish in London.

While Vincent Luis is off the start list in Stockholm, France is emerging as the latest nation to rival the Brits and Spaniards. There will be no shortage of French talent in Stockholm come Sunday in Anthony Pujades, Aurelien Raphael and Simon Viain.

All three men will likely emerge from the wetsuit-required water out front, along with the Russian team and South African Henri Schoeman. Their challenge, of course, will be holding off speedy runners such as Mola, Joao Pereira and Joao Silva. For the complete start list, head here. 

The men’s race will be contested at 15:36pm local time (14:36 UK time) on Sunday 23rd August. UK viewers can watch the action live on BBC Two, and online at triathlonlive.tv (£).

(Images: Janos Schmidt / Delly Carr / ITU)

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Who do you think will win WTS Stockholm? Let us know in the comments below!

Billed as the UK’s friendliest, toughest and most beautiful single lap iron distance triathlon, it will start and finish in Llanberis and send athletes through ‘mind-blowing scenery, flawless tarmac and a number of iconic climbs’, according to the organisers.

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Those climbs will include Bwlch maesgwm, Pen-y-Pass and the infamous Dinorwig Quarries. The run stage comprises of a full-length mixed terrain marathon set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, then brings athletes back to Llanberis to finish.

“The interest this event has already had is incredible,” said event manager Rob Samuel. “We had over 750 people pre-register for the event, and with only 500 places up for grabs I fully expect The Legend to quickly become a sell-out event. Therefore, anyone who is thinking of entering I would advise them to do it now before it’s too late!”

For more info and to book your place, head to www.thelegendtriathlon.com.

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Will you be entering The Legend? Let us know in the comments below!

>>> Javier Gomez, Daniela Ryf win Ironman 70.3 World Champs in Mont-Tremblant

>>> Free Ironman 70.3 training plans

This will be the first time Europe has hosted what many see as the pinnacle of middle-distance racing (1.9km swim/90km bike/21.1km run) – last year’s race took place in Mont-Tremblant, Canada, and it has previously always taken place in the US. 

Since the series began in 2006, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship has been controlled by Australia (five champions), Germany (four champions) and Great Britain (three champions). The United States has had two winners with Canada and New Zealand each having one winner.

Men’s race 

Gomez lines up against some tough Germans, including reigning king of Kona Sebastian Kienle, Beijing 2008 gold medalist Jan Frodeno and last year’s Challenge Bahrain winner Michael Raelert. 

Also in the mix will be Australia’s Tim Reed, Belgium’s Bart Aernouts from Uplace-BMC and Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), who won Challenge Dubai earlier this year. Two Brits are on the men’s start list: Tim Don and Ritchie Nicholls. 

Women’s race

While Ryf is undoubtedly favourite for the women’s race, no fewer than five Brits will be trying to stop her: Jodie Swallow, who must fancy her chances of winning after coming second in Mont-Tremblant last year, along with Susie Cheetham, Parys Edwards, Emma-Kate Lidbury and Holly Lawrence.

Other speedy females will include Meredith Kessler (USA), Heather Wurtele (CAN), Camilla Pedersen and Mary Beth Ellis (USA). For the complete start list, head here.

Age-groupers

That’s not all though – with 2,700 athletes expected to race in Zell am See-Kaprun, the vast majority will be age-groupers. Around 130,000 athletes race 70.3 around the world each year, so just getting to the start line is a huge achievement.

The United States will supply the most (629 registered competitors), followed by Germany (308), Australia (237) and Great Britain (214). Other athletes from countries as far as Macau, Vietnam and Guam are traveling around the globe for their shot at the title.

The 2015 Ironman 70.3 World Championship can be viewed race day on www.ironman.com, and 220 Triathlon will be right there on race day to bring you live coverage on Twitter and race reports on 220triathlon.com.

(Images: Expa/Ironman) 

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It’s expected to be ready for action in 2018, and will be entirely transparent and structure free – the only thing stopping all that water from plummeting to Earth will be 20cm of glass.

Not sure if we’d be brave enough to ‘float through the air in central London’ like the developers promise, we decided to take a look at the rest of the world’s biggest, most beautiful and most unusual pools:

Shangri-la Shard, London

There are plenty of height-based superlatives to enjoy atop Europe’s tallest tower, not least for triathletes the continent’s highest swimming pool – 52 stories high. Be grateful it’s not suspended in mid-air…

(Image: Shangri-la Shard)

The Crystal Lagoon, Chile

The city of Algarrobo is home to the world’s largest swimming pool, over 1km long and holding 66m gallons of seawater – equivalent to 6,000 ‘normal’ pools. No need to perfect your tumble turns here.

(Image: Stewart Cook / Rex USA)

Badeschiff, Berlin

Those clever Berliners – they took an old cargo ship and turned it into the city’s only floating swimming pool, complete with heating, roof and sauna. Sehr gut.

(Image: Marcus Grbac)

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Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Out of this world – this pool is warmed naturally by a nearby lava flow, and is said to have healing properties thanks to an abundance of minerals. It’s a bit warm though at 37°-39°C, so maybe not ideal for strenuous swim sets.

(Image: iStockPhoto)

Ocean Dome, Japan 

No rival for Chile’s Crystal Lagoon, but until its closure in 2007 this held the title of world’s largest indoor pool – 300m long and 100m wide. Party tricks included a retractable roof painted like a beautiful blue sky to give the impression you’re, y’know, outside.

(Image: Max Smith)

Tropical Island Resort, Germany

With the Ocean Dome’s doors shut, that leaves Tropical Island Resort south of Berlin to claim the title of world’s largest indoor pool. Housed in an old aircraft hangar, it also has slides, waterfalls and plants aplenty.

(Image: Bmalina)

Hotel Indigo, Hong Kong

Five-star luxury, contemporary aesthetics… and a cantilevered rooftop pool 29 storeys up. This means that – if you’re brave enough – you can swim beyond the edge of the building to “enjoy” the views below.

(Image: AEDAS)

Hotel Fasano, Rio de Janeiro

With less than 12 months to go until the Olympic Games, it’s only right that we spotlight the best place to take a dip when the world’s best athletes descend on Brazil. Rio’s Hotel de Fasano has a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Sugarloaf mountain and Ipanema beach, and would be our baths of choice.

(Image: Hotel Fasano)

Atlantis Water Park, Dubai

Okay not strictly a swimming pool, but we couldn’t resist including this as it has a) sharks and b) water slides. Win.

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What pools did we miss out? Let us know in the comments below!

True won her first World Triathlon Series event in the Swedish capital last year over sprint distance, and this year she increased her margin of victory to 14 seconds over the standard distance course to come home in 2:01:05.

With the current world champion Gwen Jorgensen choosing to sit this one out along with Brits Vicky Holland and Non Stanford, there were few athletes in the field who have split True and Zaferes this season.

This was true from the outset, as the two Americans emerged from the swim far ahead of the main pack of swimmers, and even seconds in front of super-swimmer Carolina Routier (ESP). Olympic champion Nicola Spirig (SUI) was already 48 seconds back going into T1. 

True and Zaferes dropped Routier straight away on the bike but were soon joined by Bermudan Flora Duffy. They pushed the pace but by lap 4 of 6 Spirig had caught up, and by lap 5 they were swallowed by a chase pack which included Andrea Hewitt (NZL) Rachel Klamer (NED) and Erin Densham (AUS). The pack stayed together into T2 despite some breakaway attempts, and began the run on a steep incline.

True, Duffy and Spirig stormed into the lead at the start of the four-lap run course, followed closely by seven other athletes. 

Sarah True pulls clear towards the end of the 10km run in Stockholm

True made gains over the field at the start of each 2.5km lap by pushing hard up the hill, and eventually pulled clear of second-placed Hewitt on the third lap, opening up a clear lead. It was now a race for the next two podium places, and despite Hewitt’s best efforts she was unable to hold on for a repeat of her second place finish from Stockholm 2014, with Zaferes making a late surge on the last lap to take the silver. 

True’s run split of 33:14 was the best of the day, and meant she had time to high-five the crowd on her way down the finish chute. Duffy finished fourth with Spirig in fifth and Densham sixth. India Lee, the only Brit to finish the race after Jessica Learmonth pulled out, came in 26th place. 

Following the race True said of her victory: “Stockholm is a beautiful city, a beautiful place to race. I came back here wanting to give last year justice and I am pleasantly surprised.”

It means True is still in third place in the World Series rankings, with Gwen Jorgensen in first and Zaferes second. 

Results

Sarah True (USA) 2:01:05
Katie Zaferes (USA) 2:01:19
Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2:01:26
Flora Duffy (BER) 2:01:51
Nicola Spirig (SUI) 2:01:55
Erin Densham (AUS) 2:02:02

World Series Rankings

Gwen Jorgensen (USA) 4000 pts
Katie Zaferes (USA) 3700 pts
Sarah True (USA) 3322 pts
Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 3131 pts
Rachel Klamer (NED) 2196 pts
Vicky Holland (GBR) 2126 pts

(Main image: Janos Schmidt / ITU)

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What did you think of the race in Stockholm, and will the Brits come back strong in the final two races of the WTS? Let us know in the comments!

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>>> Sarah True wins Stockholm World Triathlon

That makes it his sixth podium of the 2015 season, and Gomez is looking increasingly likely to become the first athlete to win five ITU World Championships – just two WTS races remain this season, Edmonton and Chicago.

The other two podium spots came down to an impressive battle between Pereira and Aaron Royle (AUS), neither of whom have seen a podium yet this year. Ultimately a last-minute push from Pereira granted him the silver medal, leaving Royle with bronze.

With the air a perfect 25°C and the water just above 20°C, the men ditched their neoprene for a non-wetsuit swim, which was a game changer for some men. Choppy waters didn’t keep Henri Schoeman (RSA) from flying through the two-lap swim, taking the lead on each of the two laps. Royle continued his Olympic qualification form from two weeks ago, joining Schoeman as one of the top men to reach the first of two transitions, along with Spaniard Francesc Godoy and France’s Aurelien Raphael.

Although the men’s field was slightly strung out after the two-lap swim, with Gomez down 22secs after the first swim lap, it took just one turn around the bike course for more than 20 men to come together over the cobblestoned streets. With a solid strategy in place that saw athlete after athlete take their turn at the helm of the pack, the lead opened up a 30-second gap over the chase after the first bike lap.

Strong cyclists like Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) ensured that their advantage increased 10secs on every turn around the nine-lap bike course for nearly a minute over the chase, which included Mario Mola (ESP), by the third lap. That advantage would carry the men throughout the entire bike leg and into the second transition, which meant that those looking to stand out would have to do it on the run.

A tough hill caused some groupings to shift and those with the legs were able to capitalise and push out ahead once the run began. Those legs belonged to Gomez, Pereira and Royle, who ran as a trio for the first lap. Schoeman and Ryan Bailie (AUS) paired up immediately and followed as a two-man chase vying for the fourth and fifth position.

Realising he needed to control the pace, Gomez utilized the second lap to finally break away and create some space between the other men. He gradually increased his lead in the next two laps until he reached a healthy 53-second lead that allowed him to hit autopilot and bring it home to the finish. 

One step closer to another world title! @Jgomeznoya pic.twitter.com/INiHCPQlwq

— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) August 23, 2015

“I didn’t feel good with the swim, I was a little bit asleep at the start, so when I knew I was far behind I fought the second lap to move forward a little bit in the swim, I think I was the last person to make the first group on the bike,” said Gomez. 

“It was an intense first lap on the bike, and then after that I just worked to keep the distance between the second group. I knew I had a good chance to win the race. I felt pretty good in the run because I could control the pace the whole time, so I am pretty happy.” 

With two more podium spots up for grabs, the momentum shifted when Schoeman and Bailie caught up to Pereira and Royle, creating a four-man pack with only two medals up for the taking. The last lap saw Bailie drop out of the running however, followed by Schoeman in the last kilometre. It was only at the carpet did Pereira showcase an extra ounce of effort that allowed him to overtake Royle for the silver medal.

2015 ITU World Triathlon Stockholm elite men

1.

Javier Gomez Noya

ESP

01:49:33

2.

Joao Pereira

POR

01:50:18

3.

Aaron Royle

AUS

01:50:26

4.

Henri Schoeman

RSA

01:50:42

5.

Ryan Bailie

AUS

01:50:42

6.

Ryan Sissons

NZL

01:50:47

7.

Vicente Hernandez

ESP

01:50:53

8.

Alessandro Fabian

ITA

01:51:11

9.

Aurelien Raphael

FRA

01:51:17

10.

Fernando Alarza

ESP

01:51:17

(Image: @triathlonLIVE)

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Jameson led out of the swim, and over the first 60km of the bike she held a 3:30mins gap over her pursuers Gossage, Daniela Sämmler (GER), defending champ Yvonne van Vlerken (NED) and Simone Braendli (SUI). 

Sämmler subsequently fell back, but the remaining trio of Gossage, Van Vlerken and Braendli kept calm and by T2 they had closed the gap. Within seconds of each other the top four women headed out onto the run.

Braendli quickly showed her running strength, putting in 1:25mins over van Vlerken by the 5km mark and 4:22mins by the halfway point. She crossed the line more than seven minutes ahead of second-placed Gossage, with one of the fastest run splits ever seen at Challenge Walchsee of 1:20:30. Van Vlerken rounded out the podium in third place.

Pretty pleased with 2nd on a day where nothing felt easy.Grimace and grit it out!Congrats to Simone. Another amazing race.

— lucy gossage (@lucygoss) August 23, 2015

Jameson finished in ninth position, around 20mins behind Gossage. Full results here.

Men’s race

A duel between Filip Ospalý (CZE) and defending champ Giulio Molinari (ITA) was expected, but, the Italian went all-out for a win from the beginning. While Ospaly led out out of transition, Molinari attacked hard and rode from ninth place to take the lead in a few short kilometres. 

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Reaching T2 he had expanded his lead over the mountainous 90km bike leg to 6:42mins ahead of Per Bittner (GER) and Nick Kastelein (AUS) who were just three seconds apart.

On the run Kastelein started eating into Molinari’s lead, followed closely by Bittner and Andreas Giglmayer (AUT), but Molinari crossed the line with over 4mins in hand. Behind him, the fight for second and third was fierce with Giglmayer finally taking second and the day’s fastest run split (1:15:39) and Bittner third. Full results here.

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