It was a drama packed weekend due to the weather that caused a few surprises, but was great to see the resilience of the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes and how they got on with the job at hand. We had athletes in action at the Luke Harrop Memorial Gold Coast Triathlon doubling as the Australian Sprint Champs and the final selection race on the sprint distance for the Australian age Group Team, Bribie Island Triathlon Race # 3 and at Queensland Junior Athletics Championships

​With the amount of rain that fell prior to the Australian Sprint Champs, it was always going to be touch and go for a swim at the Luke Harrop Memorial - Gold Coast Triathlon. I got the call Saturday evening that no go on the water and it would now be a Duathlon with a 2.5km run to start the proceedings opposed to the schedule 750m swim.

​It wasn't ideal for a lot of the SCTA athletes, but hey that is racing and you have to be adaptable to move on with the process and change the mindset. Being on the commentary I was able to get the information first hand and then able to process with all the athletes and set up for race day.

​Sunday morning rolled around and hot and humid conditions greeted all the athletes. If you were an early starter it was perfect conditions for racing. Later in the day it got tougher. Being the Australian Champs, racing was fast and furious across all age categories and SCTA were dominate across most of them. We had 19 athletes race, to which we had 13 finish 10th or better to which 9 of them were 5th or better. It was a great performance right across the board from all the athletes to which this Coach is very happy and proud of.

​SCTA Junior Scholarship Holder, Romy Wolstencroft, led the proceedings with a National Title in 16-19 Years and 3rd Female overall. While her Father Matthew was the other podium holder with a 2nd 45-49 Years. Great performances were also recorded from the following that just missed the podium in 4th place with Michael Hooper (20-24), Lucy Bowden (25-29) and Jordan Gover (45-49). In 5th Place was Michael Woodcock (45-49) and Gary Turner (65-69). Top 10 finishers went to Chloe Turner 7th (25-29), Tania Gover 9th (40-44), Emma Dann 10th (16-19) and Jack Dann 10th (13-15).

​In the Open Category, which wasn't an Australian Title, Nicholas Hull landed on the podium in 3rd place in the men's, while Commonwealth Games Bound PNG Athlete Rachel James was 5th in the Females. SCTA Club Member Simon Hearn, was a guide for Jonathan Goerlach, who he teamed up with for the World Para Triathlon Championships last year, took out the Australian Sprint Title in the PTV1.

​Peyton Craig produced another stellar performance with 2nd U/14 Enticer and was 2nd overall, while little sister Heidi Craig had a great race in the supakidz to finish 6th 9 years

​At Bribie Island for Race # 3 of their series, the ever consistent  Jessica Lee just missed the podium with a 4th place, while in the Enticer Marilyn Shrapnel took out 2nd place.

​On Thursday Night in atrocious conditions, Mackenzie Ofield lined up in the Queensland Junior Athletics Championships 3000m Walk where she was up against girls 2 years older than her. She nearly pulled off a PB and in the meantime walked away with the Qld U/15 Title. 
​
Well done to all that raced. Full results below
Luke Harrop Memorial - Gold Coast Triathlon 25.02.18 - 750/20/5 Australian Sprint Champs
Romy Wolstencroft - 1st Place 16-19 Years Female - Australian Champion
Matthew Wolstencroft - 2nd Place 45-49 Years Male - Silver Medal Australian Champs
Nicholas Hull - 3rd Place OPEN Male
Michael Hooper - 4th Place 20-24 Years Male
Lucy Bowden - 4th Place 25-29 Years Female
​Jordan Gover - 4th Place 45-49 Years Male
​Michael Woodcock - 5th Place 45-49 Years Male
Gary Turner - 5th Place 65-69 Years Male
Rachel James - 5th Place OPEN Female
Chloe Turner - 7th Place 25-29 Years Female
​Tania Gover - 9th Place 40-44 Years Female
Jack Dann - 10th Place 13-15 Years Male
Emma Dann - 10th Place 16-19 Years Female
​Maureen Cummings - 11th Place 55-59 Years Female
Kaya Shults - 12th Place 16-19 Years Female
Maddison Dutton - 16th Place 20-24 Years Female
Julia Turner - 33rd Place 25-29 Years Female
​Drew Westbrook - 47th Place 45-49 Years Male
​Ron Craig - 49th Place 40-44 Years Male
Enticer - 200 / 10 / 2.5
​Peyton Craig - 2nd U/14 Years Male - 2nd Overall
Supakidz - 100 / 2 / 400
​Heidi Craig - 6th Place 9 Years Female

​Bribie Island Triathlon Series Race # 3 - 25.02.18 - 1/30/8
Jessica Lee - 4th Place 35-29 Years Female
​Enticer - 300/10/3
​Marilyn Shrapnel - 2nd Place 70-79 Years Female

Queensland Junior Athletics Championships - 22.02.18
Mackenzie Ofield - 1st Place U/15 3000m Walk - State Champion

Another Massive weekend of racing from the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes over the weekend with the Queensland Schools Triathlon Championships at Hervey Bay, Geelong 70.3, Huskisson Long Course and Sprint Triathlon and the World Swim Series at Mooloolaba.

The question was, who will keep the 15 year tradition alive!!! At the Queensland Schools Triathlon Champs, SCTA has had rich history with 1 athlete being selected in the team for the past 15 years straight. We walked away with 2 being selected in the Queensland Team with 2 reserves taking the total to 49 juniors selected in the Qld Team.

Kaya Shults took out the Senior Female Title in a strong showing in the swim and cycle legs. She hung extremely tough in the 5km run to hold of all challengers to take out the title. This marks the 3rd year in a row that an SCTA senior Female has taken out the title. 

Not to be outdone, younger sister Jazzy Shults, had an up and down race to come away with a 5th place and also gaining selection in the Junior Female category. Emma Dann finished in the unlucky spot of 7th being named as the first reserve in the Senior Female, while Peyton Craig racing at the bottom of the age group was 8th in the Junior Males and 2nd reserve for that age category. 

All the juniors raced extremely well up there. Some at the bottom of the age category always find it hard racing kids that can be up to 2 years older with growth and development. All should be proud of their respective performances. Nice work from Kayleigh Foster, Macey Roberts, Anastasia Heikkila, Ryan Marsh, Jack Dann, Mackenzie Olfield and Scott Marsh. Fin Barlow raced well in the Qld Schools Aquathlon to finish in 14th Place in a hotly contested race where she finished 49 seconds behind the winner.

At home in Mooloolaba, the next round of the World Swim Series was swam. With predicted 10 foot surf the swim was moved to the shelter of the spit where the surf didn't impede the conditions too much. Sam Penny (40-44) walked away with a win (1.6km) and a 3rd place podium (5km). Wins in the 800m to both Rachel James (30-34) and Marilyn Shrapnel (70+) while Jake Hammond (8-12) was 2nd.

Down in Huskinsson near Jervis Bay, Mitch Baker (25-29) lined up in the Long course and was rewarded with a podium finish in 3rd place, while Jordan Gover (45-49) lined up in the Sprint distance, Australian Sprint Selection Race, where he pick some valuable points landing on the podium in 3rd.

Over the ditch in NZ, Nicholas Hull lined up in Challenge Wanaka Half. The course itself is pretty impressive, as to the competition. Once again Hully gave it his all to come away in 17th place Pro.

SCTA Club members that don't train within the program were in action at Geelong 70.3 were 2016 Olympian Ryan Fisher (3rd Pro) was in action along with Kirra Seidel (4th Pro). Nice results from them both

Well Done to all that raced. Full results below
​World Swim Series Mooloolaba Beach - 17-18.02.18
5km
Sam Penny - 3rd Place 40-44 Years Male
Kitouli Wood - 12th Place Youth Female
​Emily Baker - 14th Place Youth Female
2.5km 
​Kev Hammond - 6th Place 40-44 Years Male
1.6km
Sam Penny - 1st Place 40-44 Years Male
Kitouli Wood - 5th Place Youth Female
Kev Hammond - 5th Place 40-44 Years Male
​Warren Venaglia - 11th Place 55-59 Years Male
Angie Hammond - 14th Place 40-44 Years Female
​Mark Corcoran - 14th Place 45-49 Years Male
800m
Rachel James - 1st Place 30-34 Years Female
Marilyn Shrapnel - 1st Place 70+ Years Female
Jake Hammond - 2nd Place 8-12 Years Male
​Max Penny - 8th Place 8-12 Years Male
300m
​Zak Hammond - 8th Place 8-12 Years Male

Huskisson Long Course - 18.02.18 - 2/83/20
​Mitch Baker - 3rd Place 25-29 Years Male

Geelong 70.3 - 18.02.18
Ryan Fisher - 3rd Place Professional Male
​Kirra Seidel - 4th Place Professional Female

Huskisson Sprint Triathlon - 17.02.18 - 750/20/5
Jordan Gover - 3rd Place 45-49 Years Male

Challenge Wanaka - 17.02.18 - 1.9/90/21.1
​Nicholas Hull - 17th Place Professional Male

​Queensland Schools Triathlon Championships - Hervey Bay - 16.02.18
​Senior Female (31 Starters) - 750/20/5
Kaya Shults - 1st Place Senior Female - Qualified for Qld Team
​Emma Dann - 7th Place Senior Female - 1st Reserve for Qld Team
​Anastasia Heikkila - 16th Place Senior Female
​Intermediate Female (70 Starters) - 600/16/4
Kayleigh Foster - 13th Place Intermediate Female
Macey Roberts - 16th Place Intermediate Female
Intermediate Male (78 Starters) - 600/16/4
Ryan Marsh - 17th Place Intermediate Male
Jack Dann - 45th Place Intermediate Male
Junior Female (77 Starters) - 400/12/3
Jazzy Shults - 5th Place Junior Female - Qualified for Qld Team
Mackenzie Olfield - 53rd Place Junior Female
Junior Male (78 Starters) - 400/12/3
Peyton Craig - 8th Place Junior Male - 2nd Reserve for Qld Team
Scott Marsh - 67th Place Junior Male
Aquathlon Female (86 Starters) - 1km Run / 200m Swim / 1km Run
​Finn Barlow - 14th Place 
Teams Relay
Kaya Shults + Anastasia Heikkila - 1st Place Senior Female
​Jazzy Shults - 3rd Place Junior Female
Emma Dann - 5th Place Senior Female
Mackenzie Olfield - 6th Place Junior Female
Macey Roberts - 7th Place Intermediate Female
​Peyton Craig - 8th Place Junior Male
Kayleigh Foster - 9th Place Intermediate Female
Ryan Marsh - 9th Place Intermediate Male
Jack Dann - 13th Place Intermediate Male
​Scott Marsh - 24th Place Intermediate Male

A cracking weekend of racing by the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes that were in action at QTS # 6 Caloundra Triathlon, Tweed Coast Enduro and Sunshine Coast Regional Athletics Championships  

Caloundra staged race 6 of the Queensland Triathlon Series under humid conditions with a slight breeze which paved the way for some fast and furious racing. With No Open Male or Female field athletes were in their respective age categories. SCTA Athletes performed extremely well gaining 8 x Category Wins, 4 x 2nd Places, 3 x 3rd Places and 2 x 4th Places with 2 Males in the top 10 overall and 3 Females in the top 10 Females Overall. 

The Fastest SCTA Male was Jake Hynes, SCTA Junior Scholarship Holder where he finished 2nd behind a Swiss Athlete over here training and 7th Overall while Romy Wolstencroft, SCTA Junior Scholarship Holder, was the fastest SCTA Female winning 16-19 Years and 5th Female Overall and this was after a pit stop at the toilet during her run leg.

Other Category winners included Kate Schultz (30-34 / 6th Female Overall), Lucy Bowden (25-29 / 7th Female Overall), Brodie Gardner (30-34 / 8th Overall) and Ron Craig (Clydesdale 90-99kg).

Michael Woodcock (45-49) and Tania Gover (40-44) both had strong races to finish 2nd in their respective Categories. Rounding out the Podium was Rachel James 3rd (30-34) in her prep leading to the Commonwealth Games Triathlon for PNG and Sharlene Leeson (40-44). Just missing the podium in 4th places were Ange Brearley (30-34) and its was great seeing Jan Harvey (50-54) back having a race after a period out of competing.

In the Enticer, Young Gun Peyton Craig took out the race win and U/14 title while Anastasia Heikkila took out the 16-19 years and 2nd Female Overall.

While in the Kool Kids, Parker Duetzmann continued his podium finishes with a 2nd (7-9) and it was great to see Pipi Barlow back on the podium with a 3rd (7-9). It is great too see the progression of the junior athletes in the Kool Kids and Enticer and like to note that Zoe Davis in the Enticer and in the Kool Kids Mia Davis, Hugo and Madison Cattle always battling to the end of their races with a  smile on the face. Keep up the great work and the results will continue to come.

At the Tweed Coast Enduro, we had Simon Hearn (Open Male) and Hannah Blanchett (Open Female) take to the 70.3 distance of 1.9/90/21.1. With dead roads to ride on in the back cane fields, both raced extremely well with Simon walking away with 2nd and some pocket money while Hannah finished 5th.

​At the Sunshine Coast Regional athletic Championships, Macey Roberts had a great meet taking out the win in 1500 and 800 (Record) and 2nd in the 400m (PB). She just missed the 1500 record which was held by her sister Meg.

Well done to all that raced. Full results below

QTS # 6 - Caloundra Triathlon - 11.02.18 - 750/20/5
Romy Wolstencroft - 1st Place 16-19 Years Female - 5th Female Overall
Kate Schultz - 1st Place 30-34 Years Female - 6th Female Overall
Lucy Bowden - 1st Place 25-29 Years Female - 7th Female Overall
Brodie Gardner - 1st Place 30-34 Years Male - 8th Overall
Kayleigh Foster - 1st Place 14-15 Years Female 
Ron Craig - 1st Place Clydesdale 90-99kg
Jake Hynes - 2nd Place 16-19 Years Male - 7th Overall
Michael Woodcock - 2nd Place 45-49 Years Male 
Tania Gover - 2nd Place 40-44 Years Female 
Rachel James - 3rd Place 30-34 Years Female
Sharlene Leeson - 3rd Place 40-44 Years Female
Ange Brearley - 4th Place 30-34 Years Female
Jan Harvey - 4th Place 50-54 Years Female
Michael Hooper - 6th Place 20-24 Years Male
Orla Gallagher - 7th Place 35-39 Years Female
Norm Marsh - 8th Place Caloundra Tri Club Wave
Emma Hogan 15th Place 35-39 Years Female
Jessica Lee 16th Place 35-39 Years Female
Enticer 200/5/2
Peyton Craig - 1st Place U/14 Years Male - Race Winner
Anastasia Heikkila - 1st Place 16-19 Years Female
Zoe Davis - 16th Place U/14 Years Female
Kool Kids 100/2/500
Parker Duetzmann - 2nd Place 7-9 Years Male
Pipi Barlow - 3rd Place 7-9 Years Female
Mia Davis - 14th Place 7-9 Years Female 
Hugo Cattle - 20th Place 10-11 Years Male
Madison Cattle - 21st Place 7-9 Years Female

​Sunshine Coast Regional Athletics Championships - 11.02.18
Macey Roberts - 1st Place 15 Years 1500m
Macey Roberts - 1st Place 15 Years 800m - In record time
Macey Roberts - 2nd Place 15 Years 400m

Tweed Coast Enduro - 10.02.18 - 1.9/90/21.1
Simon Hearn - 2nd Place Open Male
Hannah Blanchett - 5th Place Open Female

A busy weekend of racing for the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes in Action at Australian Junior / Youth Series Race # 2 in Glenelg, Hell of the West, World Swim Series at Noosa, Canberra Triathlon and Elwood Triathlon.

​It was an eventful few days in Adelaide for Round # 2 of National Junior / Youth Series. To start it off in the travels down Romy Wolstencroft snapped her derailleur hanger. After 5 shops we were able to locate a new hanger. During the Race Jake Hynes jumped on his bike and after a few pedals 3 spokes in the front wheel snapped and that was the end of his race unfortunately. Sometimes things are out of your control and this was one of those moments. To his credit he put it behind him and entered the Glenelg Triathlon on the Sunday to record 4th Open Male.

​Ryan Marsh lined up in the Youth A race over 400/13/3.5 where he finished 29th, even though Ryan didn't have the race that we know what he is capable of doing, he learnt some very valuable lessons that will further develop him for the future races coming up. This was evident in the Mixed Team Relays that saw him perform extremely well. Unfortunately they couldn't replace the female that was in their team as she had pulled out, but they were still able to race with 3 members.

​After the bike travel dramas, Romy Wolstencroft put that behind to her to race extremely well. She had lost a bit of time on the cycle leg and got off the bike 1min 10 sec down and nearly closed the gap to 2nd and 3rd, but she just missed the podium with a 4th place. The winning female was from NZ and was 5th Junior Female form World Champs last year so it was good to see where she was against quality competition like that.

​She backed up in the Mixed Team relays that consisted of a 200/3.5/1.5. Romy's team finished 2nd behind the NZ team, but due to it being National Teams relay championships, they were presented with the National Title.

2 days of action up at Noosa for the World Swim Series with several distances to choose from over 5km, 3km, 2km, 1.5km, 1km and 300m. So there was distance for everyone to choose from. Sam Penny took out 1st in the 5km and 3km (40-44), Dan Macpherson (1.5km 25-29) and Jake Hammond (300m Youth Male) both recorded 1st Places, while Amy Wisby (1.5km 25-29) and Joe Simpson (1km 13-16) recorded 2nd with John Simpson (1km 50-54) and Kitouli Wood (3km Youth Female) rounded out the podium in 3rd place.

​At Hell of the West, the name didn't live up to the conditions with mind temperatures for this time of year. The racing was still hot and furious. Nicholas Hull showed great support and sportsmanship where he abandoned his race while medical came to help out a further competitor after he had crashed and broken his collarbone. Hully continued to race on once medical arrived where he finished 10th Open Male.

​Canadian visitor Fawn Whiting had a great day out with a 3rd in the Open Females, while Timmy Hortz (14th), Kevin Hammond (21st) and Grant Cunning (24th) all got thru the race and enjoyed what HOTW had to offer.

​Chasing some points for the Australian Team, We saw Drew Westbrook head to Elwood in Victoria where a persistent calf problem reared its ugly head for Drew finishing in 31st Place, while Charlotte Durand was in Canberra for an OD selection race where she gained some valuable points in 12th place

​Well done to all that raced. Full results below
Australian Junior / Youth Series Race # 2 - 03-04.02.18 
ITU Junior - 750/19/5.2
Romy Wolstencroft - 4th Place Junior Female - 3rd Australian
ITU Youth - 400/12/3
Ryan Marsh - 29th Place Youth Male
Australian Mixed Team Relay Championships - Junior
Romy Wolstencroft - 1st Place - Australian Champions

Glenelg Triathlon - 04.02.18 - 750/20/5
Jake Hynes - 4th Place Open Male

Hell Of the West - 04.02.18 - 2/80/20
Fawn whiting - 3rd Place Open Female
Nicholas Hull - 10th Place Open Male
Timmy Hortz - 14th Place 30-34 Years Male
Kevin Hammond - 21st Place 35-39 Years Male
Grant Cunning - 24th Place 30-34 Years Male

Elwood Triathlon - 04.02.18 - 750/20/5 - Australian Sprint Selection Race
Drew Westbrook - 31st Place 45-49 Years Male

Canberra Triathlon - 03.02.18 - 1.5/40/10 - Australian OD Selection Race
Charlotte Durand - 12th Place 25-29 Years Female

Noosa Summer Swim / World Swim Series - 03-04.02.18
5km Swim
Sam Penny - 1st Place 40-44 Years Male
Kitouli Wood - 8th Place Youth Female
3km
Sam Penny - 1st Place 40-44 Years Male
Kitouli Wood - 3rd Place Youth Female
Ange Brearley - 4th Place 30-34 Years Female
1.5km 
Dan Macpherson - 1st Place 25-29 Years Male
Amy Wisby - 2nd Place 25-29 Years Female
1km
Joe Simpson - 2nd Place 13-16 Years Male
John Simpson - 3rd Place 50-54 Years Male
Jane Simpson - 6th Place 40-44 Years Female
Jake Hammond - 6th Place 8-12 Years Male
Angie Hammond - 10th Place 40-44 Years Female
300m
Jake Hammond - 1st Place Youth Male
Zak Hammond - 9th 8-12 Years Male
Max Penny - 10th Place 8-12 Years Male