It was a fitting end to a stunning season of ITU World Cup racing in Tongyeong, a beautiful port city located on the southern edge of the Korean Peninsula.

Great Britain’s Matt Sharp secured his first ITU title after a calculated race, but Spain’s David Castro Fajardo and Australian veteran Courtney Atkinson made him earn it, taking silver and bronze respectively.

Men’s race

A capacity men’s field of 76 broke the glassy conditions of the Tongyeong Harbour in a two-lap, non-wetsuit swim. After a frenetic start to the 1.5km swim the first to emerge was Ben Kanute (USA), followed by the Polyanskiy brothers Igor and Dimity (RUS) and Australia’s Courtney Atkinson. The swim did little to break up the field and subsequently a long line of athletes emerged in quick succession.

Kanute was the first to lead out onto the bike but there would be no quick breaks as the front group formed with 60 men. The first lap saw everyone jockeying for position, but on the second it was Atkinson who put them to the test.

“I’ve been training for the Xterra World Championships in Maui next weekend,” said Atkinson post-race. “It’s a very hilly bike course over there and I’ve been training a lot on hills, so I was really confident on the bike and thought there would be a breakaway. I went a few times and maybe taxed my legs a little more on the bike than I should in an ITU race.”

By lap three the group had been reduced to 55 but no opportunity presented itself for a break away, the group remaining intact and prepared for a flat-out 10km run.

Portugal’s Miguel Arraiolos took advantage of the maelstrom into T2, scooting out first from Basson Engelbrecht (RSA) and Gabor Faldum (HUN). Sharp was the next out onto the run but knew he had to run his own race and pace.

Atkinson didn’t take long to move to the front alongside Dmitry Polyanskiy and Sergio Sarmiento (MEX) on lap two. But on lap three Joe Maloy (USA) and Sharp had joined Atkinson and Polyanskiy.

Sharp’s earlier patience paid dividends in the end with the fresher legs delivering him his first World Cup win.

Atkinson’s earlier efforts on the bike saw him fall into the clutches of the young Spaniard, who took second place in the final stages. Atkinson is vying for his third Olympic team and will be the first Australian to do so if he succeeds.

“It’s good because I hadn’t raced [and ITU event] since London [Olympics] before the beginning of this year. It’d been a long time and I’d set myself a goal. Ideally I would have liked to have won a race, you always want to be at the top, but realistically if I can get a podium, I’m back in the ballpark and can work on it again going to Rio next year.”

“The bike was pretty easy but the hill on the run, I just gauged my effort and finished the last lap real strong,” commented Sharp at the line. “I think on the first lap, not through choice, I just couldn’t go with the pace up and down the hill. On the flat I was feeling good so I just worked the cadence and slowly caught up.

“It’s been a long time since I had an ITU race, I’ve been struggling for a few years so this means a real lot to me,” said Sharp. “I’m very happy with my position.”

Women’s race

Yuka Sato (JAP) turned recent good form into gold, winning the 2015 Tongyeong Triathlon World Cup. Tongyeong has been a great race for the young Japanese athlete, claiming bronze in 2012 and now delivering the first World Cup victory of her career.

Sato was in the hunt during the swim and bike but made her move on the third lap of the run to secure victory.

“I’m very happy for this win,” said Sato. “I got a lot of confidence from this victory and did my best today. I knew [Yuko] Takahashi is a good runner but I just felt good today and felt confident on the last two laps. It’s a very special feeling, my first World Cup win.”

The podium places came down to a race of two between Jolanda Annen (SUI) and Takahashi (JAP), the pair running shoulder to shoulder on the last lap before Annen found another gear to claim an emotional silver from Takahasi.

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For full results, head here.

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Kicking-off the season will be the Eton SuperSprints at the beginner/PB-friendly Dorney Lake. First held in 1991, the stone-cold UK classic the Windsor Triathlon follows in June, with another highlight being the Shock Absorber Women Only Triathlon in July.

The confirmed 2016 Human Race Triathlon Series is:

Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints – 21st/22nd May

Eton Sprints – 22nd May

ITU World Sprint Distance Qualifier – 22nd May

Windsor Triathlon – 12th June

SteelMan – 26th June

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Lidl BananaMan – 9th July

Shock Absorber Women Only Triathlon – 10th July

Diamond Triathlon – 14th August

HSBC Triathlon – 18th September

The brand have also unveiled new ‘multi-event packages’, which allow athletes to choose several events at once and save up to £52 on the combined entry fees.

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Places are available at www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon

At 8:00am the pro field lined up including European Champion Filip Ospaly (CZE), Joe Gambles (AUS) and Ritchie Nicholls (GBR), together with two strong Italians Alessandro Degasperi and Massimo Cigana determined to battle until the end for a place in the podium.

After 1.9km swim the lead group all came out of the water within one minute of each other, with Cigana four minutes down. Gambles pushed very hard on the bike course arriving first in T2, followed by Cigana who put in a super fast bike split to join the chase pack which also included Ospaly, Nicholls and Degasperi. 

On the run, the first surprise arrived at the end of the second loop when Gambles, who’d started the run with a 3:30 lead, had to pull out due to injury. The lead group was at this point made of Ospaly, Degasperi and the young Albert Moreno Molins (ESP). Degasperi made his final move at the 19km mark and claimed victory just eight seconds ahead of Ospaly with Molins.

In the womens’ race, Cheetham, who had just finished sixth at Kona, had to push to the end to take the win and to leave behind Maja Stage Nielsen (DEN), who arrived at the finish line in less than 2 minutes after her. Marta Bernardi (ITA) completed the podium.

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The long-distance Bastion challenge will be joined on the July calendar by the Gauntlet middle-distance triathlon, the Hever Long Swims and the Hever Long Aquabike.

The full list of races are:

The Bastion (3.8km swim/180km bike/42.2km run)

The endurance challenge kick-offs with a 3.8km lake swim before a 180km bike takes competitors around the Kent countryside. A 42km marathon run completes the Castle Tri Series’ only long-course race.

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The Hever Half-Iron Gauntlet (1.9km/90km/21km)

The 1.9km swim is a single loop taking in the main Hever Castle lake and a tributary of the River Eden. The 90km cycle winds its way through the stunning High Weald of Kent and the Ashdown Forest. The 21km run course follows largely off-road tracks and bridlepaths between Hever Castle, through the historic local village of Chiddingstone, and the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle itself.

The Hever Long Distance Swim (1.9km or 3.8km)

The swim course leaves from the Italianate loggia taking competitors down the length of the main lake and heading into the scenic river section. This tributary of the River Eden wraps around 16 Acre Island allowing spectators to watch and cheer competitors on from only a few metres away.

The Hever Long Distance Aquabike (1.9km swim/60km bike or 3.8km swim/120km bike)

After the swim you’ll head out on the bike course with supported feed stations. This circular cycle route will take competitors out of Hever Castle, up through the High Weald of Kent before passing through and over the Ashdown Forest and into the village of Maresfield. Competitors return to Hever via the Evillages of Groombridge, Fordcombe and Penshurst and have the option of finishing with a 4km run.

The Hever Long Distance Aquathlon (1.9km swim/10km run or 3.8km swim / 21km run)

After the unique swim (1 or 2 loops), competitors will embark on the 10k/21km run course, which follows largely off road tracks and bridle paths between Hever Castle, through the historic local village of Chiddingstone, and the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle itself before finishing right in front of the Castle.

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All the events, including The Bastion iron-distance triathlon, are now open for entry with an early bird 25% discount, with race places limited for 2016.  Enter here.

“We want Premium athletes to have the most engaging experience possible – all year long, whether they’re indoors or outdoors,” says David Lorsch, Strava’s VP of Strategy and Business Development. “This makes for a natural and compelling partnership with Zwift. Strava Premium cyclists will now have access to an incredibly engaging indoor platform and will get even more value out of their membership.”

Zwift has confirmed its monthly subscription price for the UK will be £8 per month. Strava Premium, for £3.99 per month (£39.99 per year), grants access to Strava’s most innovative technology. In addition to two free months of Zwift, Premium athletes will have access to a new suite of indoor cycling features, including customizable indoor training plans, videos and tips from the world’s best coaches. 

Strava will also be updating its feed to distinguish Zwift activities. Additionally, virtual miles ridden with Zwift and other trainers will be split from outdoor activities and real-life segments. Trainer activities will have their own leaderboards, providing indoor cyclists greater engagement and delineation between indoor and outdoor rides.

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More info is at www.strava.com and www.zwift.com

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Yet Paterson’s journey to the 20th anniversary race of the Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii, has been far from straightforward. Broken bones (x3) and Lymes disease have stood in the way of her race season, but she’s shown the ‘Braveheart brand’ by battling on; tackling Xterra Costa Rica with one arm and coming third in an 100km MTB race in Tahoe just three weeks after surgery.

Here the double Xterra world champ and reigning Xterra England winner talks with our friends at Xterra Maui about her love of the off road, swimming 1.5km with one arm and battling Duffy on Sunday…

ON… BEING BACK IN MAUI

First of all, I am feeling great. Fit and ready to roll. Just beyond grateful that I’m here and healthy – I simply cannot put it in to words. This island has so many amazing memories for me and to be back at “home” with my Xterra family is like a dream come true. This is where I feel the love. This is where the magic happens.

ON… LYME’S DISEASE AND BROKEN BONES

It’s been an incredible but challenging year so far. I have seriously had highs I’ve never experienced before but then I’ve had absolute soul crushing lows as well. I’m a woman of extremes so this suits me well! I spent November and December of 2014 getting treating for Lyme’s disease in Florida and that brought with it many challenges but also many ‘ah ha’ moments. I started off 2015 with the lowest fitness I think I’ve ever had but the highest spirit too! I did a combination of Xterra races and US World Cup mountain bike races and almost the first one out of the gate, I managed to break my shoulder!

ON… ONE ARM RACING

This led to me competing in Xterra Costa Rica with one arm! 1,500m is a long way with a single arm but I kept positive and ended up biking and running through the field to win. I guess the Braveheart brand is very much alive and kicking! I then spent a month sweating it out on my trainer in the garage, swimming masters with one arm and running with a sling. I came out and won Xterra West and East champs, plus won the overall (beat the boys, too) at the Laguna Beach Xterra… that was pretty cool!

ON… BRUSHING TEETH WITH NO HANDS

My focus was then set on mountain biking and picking up valuable UCI points for Olympic qualification [in mountain biking]. I went on to win my first US Pro MTB race and the week later, days before heading out to Europe for my world cup debut, I crashed out and broke my left wrist and right hand. Devastation again! After surgery I spent the month up in the mountains, back on the trainer, learning how to brush my teeth and wipe my own arse with no hands! Only 11 days after surgery I won the June Lake Triathlon in Mammoth and another week later, came 3rd overall in the Leadville qualifier 100km MTB race in Tahoe. Crazy, I know, but hey, that’s me!

ON… SINGLE DISCIPLINE MTB

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I then did my first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup race in Windham. I seriously got my ass whooped and struggled to find any form. Determined to give it a good go, I then headed out to Italy for my second World Cup. I managed to go from 65th to 38th and had a blast doing it! This World Cup shit is a helluva journey and one that will take a good few years to master! Finally I finished off the summer with a glorious win at the Xterra European Champs in England (pictured). Joy of all joys!

ON… TACKLING FLORA

After a great block of training in San Diego, my sights have been laser focused on being in the best shape possible for Maui. Flora [Duffy] has been simply unbeatable this year so I hope to at least give her a run for her money. She’s an incredible athlete and has motivated me to train harder and stay committed this last few months.

ON… XTERRA AND SOUL

More importantly, though, I’ve realised with all that I have been through, that all I can control is my attitude. I can’t control how anyone else will go on the day, I can’t control what anyone else thinks, but I can control my attitude towards this race. It will be one of joy and celebration. Xterra is my soul and that will never change.

You can follow the 20th Xterra World Championships online at www.xterramaui.com, on twitter @xterraoffroad and on Facebook.com/xterraplanet starting at 9am Hawaii time (7pm UK time). 220 Tri magazine has a nine page Xterra special in issue 320, out on 8th December.

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Middaugh won the men’s title at the 15th time of asking, becoming the first American to take top spot since Michael Tobin in 2000. ITU star Duffy capped of a perfect Xterra season with five straight wins on the tour, and won her second championship in successive years. It meant a cool $20,000 for the winners from a total prize purse of $100,000, with prize money going to the top 10 male and female finishers. 

Commenting on his victory (and beating favourite Ruben Ruzafa of Spain), Middaugh said: 

“I felt really good on the bike. He put a minute into me on the last five miles but there’s nothing you can do, he’s an amazing rider.  

On the run I was making back 20-30 seconds a mile on him. I was shocked! Last year he was climbing at the same speed as I was.  I was charging as hard as I could, I was lifting my knees and pumping as hard as I could go and I knew I was coming back on him.

“A couple years ago I knew I had to win it now! I had to stop saying “one of these years” and start saying “this year…this year I’m going to win this race.  I felt it more than ever this year and knew I could do it, I knew I had to do it.”

In the women’s race, Bermudan Flora Duffy held pole position for the duration, posting the fastest swim split and fending off an inspired Lesley Paterson on the bike course. 

Duffy said: “I had the big target on my back, and I came here with a mission. I wanted to defend, and got away with that by the skin of my teeth today. I really struggled on the bike course at times. 

“It was so great to come down the finish chute and repeat as world champion.  I was pretty glad to put my hands up for the win.”

Incredibly Paterson’s impressive result came despite spending large parts of the season recovering from injury and illness. Posting the fastest women’s bike split of the day, Paterson was catching Duffy on the bike and was in striking distance on the run, but had to settle for second place. She said: 

“I was going for it on the bike, that’s where my strength is,” said Paterson.  “I came off on the run and went for it and then I blew. It was really hot, it was brutal, and I deal with heat pretty well!”

“I’m just lucky to be here, I’ve spent the last few years getting over injuries and illness and I felt honoured to be in the fight today.”

Jacqui Slack (GBR) came 8th in of the women’s pro field. More than 800 athletes from 43 countries participated in the event, which started in relatively calm waters but included extremely tough 32km bike and 10.5km run sections, with over 1000m of climbing on the course combined. 

Pro men – top 5

1. Josiah Middaugh (USA) – 2:35:32
2. Braden Currie (NZL) – 2:38:30
3. Ruben Ruzafa (ESP) – 2:40:40
4. Mauricio Mendez (MEX) – 2:40:54
5. Courtney Atkinson (AUS) – 2:42:27

Pro women – top 5

1. Flora Duffy (BER) – 2:54:17
2. Lesley Patterson (GBR) – 2:59:16
3. Emma Garrard (USA) – 3:03:28
4. Myriam Guillot-Boisset (FRA) – 3:07:27
5. Lizzie Orchard (NZL) – 3:09:57

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What did you think of the race? Let us know in the comments! 

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From the makers of the Slateman, the Anglesey Sandman was first launched in 2011 and offers a challenge for everyone regardless of fitness and experience.

The triathlon sees competitors take on the clear-waters for a 1km open sea swim, some of the most beautiful roads of Anglesey for a challenging 60km bike leg and the Newborough forest for the final 10km trail run.

The Sandman sprint event features much of the same scenery and will again take place on the Saturday. The Sprint race features a 400m (swim), 25km (bike) and 5km (run). Triathletes also have the option of competing over two days at the Sandman Weekender.

The Sandman has been a sell out event for three consecutive years and the 2016 edition is expected to be no different.

To register for the Anglesey Sandman Triathlon CLICK HERE.

More info is at angleseysandman.com or by calling 01248 723553

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Image: Gwynfor James

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Non Stanford and Vicky Holland met the Automatic Qualification criteria of the 2016 BTF Olympic Nomination Policy by winning medals at both the Rio Olympic Triathlon Test Event and the World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago. 

Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee met the British Triathlon Pre Selection criteria based on evidence of their ability to win a medal at the Olympic Games. Both Alistair and Jonathan have won rounds of the ITU World Triathlon Series this year and were memorable medal winners at the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

An announcement will be made by the British Olympic Association in June 2016 to confirm the team. It is hoped that British Triathlon will be able to nominate three men and three women based on ITU ranking points. 

British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell said: “Non and Vicky achieved the Automatic Qualification criteria with their performances at the Rio Olympic Triathlon Test Event and at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago. The progress made by both of them this season has been really exciting, and now they can focus completely on their Rio preparations. 

“Similarly, we wanted to put Alistair and Jonathan in strong positions to focus on medals next summer. They both met the British Triathlon Pre Selection criteria and we’re delighted to have been able to give them this news as they start their winter training.” 

Alistair Brownlee said: “There is nothing bigger in triathlon than the Olympic Games, and I’m hugely excited about the year ahead. This news allows me to structure my winter training with Rio at the forefront of my mind. Knowing that Jonny has been pre-selected with me is another big boost.” 

Jonathan Brownlee added: “I’ll be doing everything I can to be at my absolute best on 18 August 2016. Performing on the day in Rio is the dream, and it’s great to be another step closer to it now that I have been pre-selected.” 

Non Stanford said: “At the start of this year Rio felt a long way off, but with pre-selection confirmed I just can’t wait to get 2016 started.” 

Vicky Holland added: “Confirmation of pre selection is another big tick in the box after getting the results I needed in Rio and Chicago. There’s a lot of hard work to do now, but I can’t wait for next summer.” 

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The 2016 season will get under way in March with the opening round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi.

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