Weekly Newsletter 7 October 2013

ANOTHER PERFECT RACE DAY
The weather just keeps delivering almost perfect race conditions, and club members and day registrations are turning up in droves to take on the club course. 78 people took on the sprint distance and 39 made up the enticer course field.

While Richard Pearson was fastest on the day with 0:57:26, few could miss (even if they wanted to) Clint Rowlings in second place with his bright pink budgie smugglers. Times are on the improve for many club members with John Waites and Hadley Black just getting better with each race. Jo Magill, Isabella Bowes, Michelle Clarke and Anne Grundy are also showing steady improvement.

Aaron Stubbs took out the enticer race in 0:38:45 with Jai Lyons not far behind. It’s good to see the next generation appearing in the enticer race and we will keenly watch the development of these juniors. Name such as Bulloch, Jeff, Jacobs, Clarke and Abbott will definitely be ones to watch.

Things are just going to get better

with many getting close to their target races in the next few weeks. All that hard work is starting to pay dividends. Watch this space!

Please remember to be punctual to the race. We were late starting again this weekend and in future races will start at 6.30am sharp.  This weekend there were too many late registrations which meant we were late starting which meant increased traffic which meant increased chances for issues on the roads. From the next race on 20 October, registrations will close at 6.20am. No exceptions.

BIG TRI WEEKEND
Kona
This weekend will see the mecca of Iron distance triathlon at Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, with the 35th Annual World Championships. Our very own Christine Lefeaux will be racing as #967 and will be looking to better her time from last year on the back of some very consistent training. Knowing exactly what’s she’s in for this time around will no doubt play to her advantage as she demonstrates her characteristic mental toughness. Good luck Chrissie. You have the support of all of us back here in Coffs. And Micheddie will be there to cheer you over the line! Results will be posted at http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/world-championship/results.aspx#axzz2gytkVwyn.

Like every year, the big guns will be working hard to be first over the line. Pete Jacobs and Leanda Cave will both be defending their titles from 2012, with Sebastian Kienle, Andreas Raelert, Mirinda Carfrae and Caroline Steffen nipping at their respective heels. The team at First off the Bike have put their odds on their website (just for fun, no real money involved). You can check it out at http://firstoffthebike.com/news-and-features/the-kona-book/.

And proving that age is no barrier to longevity in Ironman, veteran Ken Glah will be on the start line at Kona for the 30th consecutive time. He’s been there every year since 1984. Almost as impressive, he still has that hair. Yep, all of it.

Yamba
Others club members are heading to the not quite so gruelling, but still very challenging Yamba Triathlon Festival. The “Classic” main triathlon event of 2km/60km/15km takes place on Yamba’s beautiful foreshore and surrounds. It is making a welcome return to the racing calendar. There are a whole series of other events – Enticer and Sprint triathlons, Ocean Swim, Fun Run plus kids’ events.  Entries are still open for all events and it looks like it’s going to be another fantastic day of racing. Go to http://www.eliteenergy.com.au/yamba/index.html#.UlIylVBmA2s for more info.

Coffs
On local turf, the inaugural Coffs Harbour Adventurethon will be held around the Jetty Foreshores. There are also several events catering for all levels of ability, including those just wanting to give it a go. If kayaking is not your thing, then there is a Duathlon or you can enlist a friend to do the kayak leg and enter as a team. Entries are still open for all events. Details are at http://adventurethon.com.au/cms25/index.php/event-locations/coffs-harbour-nsw. Don’t forget that organisers have offered CHTC members a 10% discount on the entry fee. Just enter the coupon code of “coffstriclub 10.00%” when registering.

And as a lead up to the Adventurethon World Champion Ocean Paddler and Adventure racer Jarad Kohlar is running a free multisport clinic this Wednesday 9 October from 4pm to 6pm at the Jetty and will have a bunch of craft for people to jump onto. He will have craft for all abilities including a double sit-on-top, very stable CTR. Joel Savage, who is organising this week’s Adventurethon, also has available 3 double boats (perfect for beginner paddlers) which are free to hire for the race on the weekend. Joel will be there on Wednesday or you can contact him on 0447 496 489.

LIFT REQUIRED
Todd Blewitt is looking for a lift to Noosa for the triathlon on Sunday 3 November 2013. He only needs a lift up to the race and is willing (and able!) to supply a car and fuel for the trip. He will be flying out of Noosa for another tri, so the driver will need to return the car to Coffs Harbour as well. If anyone is interested in helping Todd get to Noosa, please contact him via email on [email protected].

FOR SALE & WANTED
Sheree Shand has a Children’s Tri Top for sale. It is a red “In2Tri” top, size 10 and is going for $10. Please contact Sheree on 0407 911 362 if you are interested.

There were lots of one day memberships at the weekend’s race, with interest in triathlon getting stronger. Don’t forget to let us know if you have any equipment for sale so that we can get more people started in the sport. You can also let Clint or Andrew Rowlings know as they are always being approached for second hand bikes. You can contact Clint on 0417 219 154 or [email protected] or Andrew on 0434 718 274 or [email protected].

On that note, Jeynelle Forrest is looking for a pair of 2nd hand or entry level road bikes so that she and her husband can get started in triathlons. Jeynelle’s number is 0408 121 739 if you have anything suitable.

WISE WORDS
"Until you face your fears, you don't move to the other side, where you find the power." – Mark Allen