ITU Sprint Triathlon Oceania…

Photo: Delly Carr/Triathlon.org With several countries looking to nab points towards Olympic qualification, this weekend’s ITU Sprint Oceania Triathlon features a stacked field. Kris Gemmell will return to top competition on Sunday for the first time since his win at the World Cup event in Auckland in November but his focus is very much on one race in April. The New Zealand triathlete has been in a heavy training mode over the past six weeks at the Wanaka Snow Farm with the rest of the Tri NZ high performance squad as he eyes a top finish at April’s Sydney World Champs series race. A top-eight finish there will guarantee a spot in London but, if he fails to achieve that, it will then come down to the selectors’ discretion. Andrea Hewitt is the only New Zealand triathlete guaranteed a start in London. Before all of that Gemmell, James Elvery, Debbie Tanner, Nicky Samuels and Kate McIlroy will all compete in this weekend’s fifth round of the Contact Tri Series in Kinloch, Taupo. A number of international competitors will also race, including Australian Chris McCormack. The ITU Oceania sprint title and valuable ITU points are up for grabs and Gemmell is keen to be at the head of the pack in the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. “I have won the standard distance nationals five times but never won the sprint title at the elite level,” he said. “It is something I like doing and have spent a good part of my career doing this type of race in Europe racing in club competitions and I always enjoy Takapuna each year over a similar distance. “But there is a big contingent of Australians coming over chasing those ITU points so it won’t be easy and the course at Kinloch is a tough one. Racing over this short distance hurts, too. There is no letting up from the gun with a nasty hill on the bike so I’ll be looking to force the issue there. My aim is to place as much pressure on the field as possible on the bike and come off with a bit of a lead and sort ourselves out over the 5km run.” Read more: Nzherald.co.uk

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ITU Sprint Triathlon Oceania…

Triathlon: Gemmell back on…

Kris Gemmell will return to top competition on Sunday for the first time since his win at the World Cup event in Auckland in November but his focus is very much on one race in April.The New Zealand triathlete has been in a heavy…

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Triathlon: Gemmell back on…

Baby Boomer Triathlon Coming…

A retirement community in Columbia, S.C. is hosting a “Baby Boomer” triathlon in July. When we think of a triathlon, many of us think of buffed men and nimble women donned in tank tops and running shorts who have probably never had a glass of wine or a nibble of a potato chip. But in the upcoming months Still Hopes, a retirement community in Columbia, S.C., is preparing to train a team of beginners to participate in a triathlon that will actually let the sippers of adult beverages and cheeseburger lovers participate, according to trainer Stefanie Glatz who will be coordinating the triathlon training. “This event is geared for people 55 and older, and we will start training in late February,” Glatz said. “If a person can do a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes, they will be able to do this triathlon training.” Glatz said that she isn’t looking for solid athletes as much as the average person who just wants to get in shape, maybe lose a few pounds and wants a challenge. The Still Hopes triathlon is no different except that the mileage will be shorter. The event is set for July 28 at the Northwest Family YMCA in Irmo, Glatz Participants will be nurtured along the way, and no one expects them to initially be able to run the marathon race. Read more: Thecolumbiastar.com

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Baby Boomer Triathlon Coming…

New Season, New Goals

Photo: Nils Nilsen Goal setting is one of the defining characteristics that separates athletes from exercisers; we set our sights on specific targets and we strive for performance. As you get ready to put your 2012 goals down on paper (which I highly recommend), here are some guidelines to keep in mind. I’ve divided these goal-setting tips into categories based on three groups of triathletes I frequently talk to. You may fit squarely into one category or identify with more than one. “I want to be a contender.” “I coulda’ been a contenda,” lamented Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront.” But he wasn’t, because as a fighter he didn’t have anyone looking out for him and he went for the easy buck instead of the long-term gain. If you want to step up your performance in 2012 and stand atop the podium, get yourself: A coach. I know I’m biased, but during the natural ups and downs of the training process athletes benefit from external guidance. Coaching is not just a training program or data analysis; it’s the relationship that guides you through the dark days, when fatigue causes self-doubt and insecurities to cloud your judgment. Performance monitors. If you want to win, invest in a power meter for the bike and a GPS-enabled heart rate monitor for your other activities. Even more important: Download the data and use it. You’d be surprised at the number of athletes who have the gear but do nothing with the useful information it provides. Speed. Endurance gets you to the finish line, but speed wins races. If you want to win you have to put your time into high-intensity speed work on the track, cycling intervals above lactate threshold intensity, and VO 2 max intervals in the pool. RELATED: Meet 5 New Male Pros

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New Season, New Goals

2012 USA Paratriathlon Race…

The 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series features stops in Austin, Denver and Buffalo. See the press release from USA Triathlon below: With the aim of providing increased domestic competitive opportunities for the nation’s top paratriathletes, USA Triathlon has established the 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series, a three-race series held in conjunction with some of the nation’s top multisport events. The sprint-distance series kicks off with the 2012 USA Paratriathlon National Championship, contested alongside the Capital of Texas Triathlon on May 28 in Austin, Texas. Paratriathlon Nationals will serve as the primary selection event for the 2012 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, on Oct. 22. Other 2012 USA Paratriathlon Race Series stops include the Denver Triathlon on June 10 and the Nickel City Triathlon on Sept. 16 in Buffalo, N.Y. – the day after the 2012 USA Triathlon Elite National Championship. “This USA Paratriathlon Race Series will provide access to higher levels of competition and increased visibility for the sport of paratriathlon. It will be great for these inspirational athletes to go from a single event in the U.S. to a three-race series,” USA Triathlon High Performance Senior Manager Andy Schmitz said. “We are looking forward to the continued growth of paratriathlon in the U.S. and worldwide.” Historically one of the world’s top paratriathlon performers, the U.S. has earned more than one-fourth of all possible podium finishes at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships since 2008. Paratriathlon will make its Paralympic Games debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.

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2012 USA Paratriathlon Race…

Why I became a triathlete

It started after I suffered several personal and professional blows between 1999 and 2002.

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Why I became a triathlete

Photos: 2012 SRAM Red Groupset

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Photos: 2012 SRAM Red Groupset

2012 SRAM Red: Shifting To The…

SRAM’s first complete overhaul to their premier Red groupset greatly improves upon the three weaknesses of the original kit. Although they haven’t created new triathlon shifters or followed the trend to electronic shifting, 2012 SRAM Red brakes stronger, front shifts faster (much faster) and makes less noise than its predecessor. Front Shifting The improvement in front shift performance from the original Red kit to the 2012 version is simply astonishing. SRAM engineers transformed this critical aspect of component performance from the group’s biggest weakness to one of its greatest strengths. A light flick of the new slightly larger shift lever catapults the chain from the small ring to the big without any grinding, skipping or mechanical feedback. The chain just goes. SRAM dramatically changed the front derailleur and the chainrings to achieve this outstanding shift performance. The original Red front derailleur cage was made of titanium and flexed when shifting. Some professional road cyclists and triathletes sponsored by SRAM use the lower level Force front derailleur because it has a stiffer steel cage and shifts faster. The new Red derailleur is feather light, but doesn’t sacrifice stiffness. Instead of using a single material to construct the cage, SRAM used steel, aluminum and even a little carbon to build a cage that is light, stiff and pretty. The wall of the derailleur cage closest to the frame is steel. Although it’s heavier, building this critical section of the derailleur with steel helps the cage keep its shape when pressed against the chain rather than giving way slightly, which can slow shifting. The front of the cage is forged aluminum. This material lightens the component and allows SRAM to shape the piece to a very specific subtle curve and give it a beautiful finish. The black inside portion of the derailleur’s tail is carbon composite press fitted and glued on to the steel segment. SRAM Design Engineer Mark Santurbane says this bond is plenty strong because the chain doesn’t pull directly against the carbon segment so there is very little stress on the bond. In addition to the changes to the cage itself, SRAM fundamentally changed the way the derailleur moves when shifting. Most derailleur cages move straight to the side when shifted from the small ring position to the big. If you marked the position of the walls before and after shifting, they would be parallel to themselves. Although this simplistic movement can execute an accurate shift, existing systems using this derailleur movement require an intermediate front derailleur position to prevent the chain from rubbing against the chain in all gear combinations. SRAM added a twist in the front derailleur’s shift movement that allows the system to rapidly jump gears and eliminate the middle position entirely. The tail of the derailleur is pointed toward the center of the cassette whether in the big ring or the small. When the derailleur drops to the small ring position, the tail of the cage—the rearmost part—doesn’t move in toward the bike as far as the front of the cage. As a result, the cage ends up pointing slightly outward from the bike. This unique movement prevents the chain from rubbing in almost any gear combination. We were able to get a tiny amount of chain rub when in the 39-11 combination, but there wasn’t a whisper in any other combination, even while cross-chaining in the big-big 53-23 gear combination. Although the ability to cross chain with impunity is a major bonus, the biggest improvement is simply the speed, ease and accuracy with which the kit up-shifts. Upshifting to the big ring using the 2011 Red kit required a bit of cajoling, but the 2012 shifts with amazing speed and precision. Since the middle trim position has been eliminated, a light flick on the shifter is all it takes. Front shifting felt amazing compared to any mechanical component kit, and shockingly close to the performance of Shimano Di2 electronic groups. The chain would shift from any gear combination and even under a lot of load. The chainrings are the other redesigned components that make this superior shifting performance possible. After much trial and error while working around the existing patents held by Shimano and Campagnolo, SRAM found a combination of ramps and pins that accelerate front shifting. The front derailleur comes with a chain catcher that can be adjusted independent of the derailleur to prevent the chain from falling off the chainrings onto the frame.

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2012 SRAM Red: Shifting To The…

Winter Riding Essentials

Photo: Nils Nilsen Don’t get stuck on the trainer all winter. With the right clothing you can comfortably ride outside, even in frigid temps. Giro Pivot gloves, $70, Giro.com Thin, insulated and shielded with a weather-resistant layer, the Pivot gloves offer protection from the elements without the impediment typical of lobster-style semi-mittens that squeeze fingers together. Gore Oxygen GT AS jacket, $250, Gorebikewear.com In addition to the popular breathable and waterproof Gore-Tex material, the cycling-specific cut (men’s style pictured) is the Oxygen Jacket’s other defining trait. It fits tightly through the chest and shoulders and is cut in a way that pulls the arms slightly forward toward the bars. The jacket’s chest fits tightly when standing still, but once you drop into the aerobars, every section rests free of strain. It creates a reliable seal around the neck, wrists and waist, but lacks storage pockets. Use it as an outer layer on windy, rainy or snowy days. Specialized Tech Layer short-sleeve, $50, Specialized.com This highly breathable base layer with a snug, cycling-specific fit helps keep your temperature stable by wicking sweat away from your torso. A must-have for places with unpredictable weather, or for sweat-then-stop interval workouts. Castelli Leggerezza 2 bibtight, $170, Castelli-cycling.com The men’s Leggerezza 2 is the bibtight for days that keep most riders indoors. It’s lined with warm, soft fleece from the ankles to the ribs. The front of the legs are covered with a moderately wind- and water-resistant soft-shell material, and the back is more breathable. The chamois and tight create a little bulk between the rider and the saddle. Pearl IzumiPRO Barrier WXB shoe cover, $50, Pearlizumi.com Thin soft-shell outer material with a fleece lining stretches from the toe up over the ankle, but doesn’t cover the sole. This opening prevents the cover from wearing through while walking. The rear of the bootie opens to create a gaping hole for the foot that allows the cover to slip on and off with ease. RELATED: Does Winter Running Burn More Calories?

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Winter Riding Essentials

Pellow training hard to make a…

MATT Pellow is making his hometown proud by going from strength to strength as a professional triathlete. The 21-year-old athlete began his athletic career at the age of 15 and was back in town for the Western Inter-Club Series Triathlon last month.

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Pellow training hard to make a…