Race Updates

What a weekend of action for the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminum Athletes at Round # 1 of the National Junior Series at Runaway Bay for the Super Sprint Race Weekend. With over 170 of the nations top juniors in action, the race was just as furious and the pace was definetly on over the 3 days of racing for ITU JUniors and 2 days for ITU Youth A + B.

The format is very different to the normal triathlon protocal where the swims where done in a pool with seperate heats, the cycle was done on the Luke Harrop Criterium Track and the runs where done on the 400m athletic track at the Super Centre.

The weekend is about gaining as many points as possible from the races prior to the finals. Which made for some very fast and furious racing with the top 18 athletes being taken into the "A" Finals. There were some PB's in the Runs and the funny thing is that is after 2 fast races leading up to it and the end of a very hectic day. To give you an idea the winner of the Mens 1km was 2.30 and the Female was 2.57 so the pace was on. Jake's 2.41 was a PB but got him 18th in the Final. Romy went 3.14 to finish 15th in the Final. Pretty impressive timers but the standard was extremely high.

Day 1
Race 1 - Aquathlon - ITU Junior - 300 / 1.6 ITU Youth A + B - 200 / 1.2
Race 2 - Criterium - ITU Junior - 6km,  ITU Youth A + B - 4km - Both Lemans start with 300m run to start and finish off with
Race 3 - Run - ITU Junior - 1km,  ITU Youth A + B - 800m - Heats and Finals

Day 2
Race 4 - Triathlon - ITU Junior - 300/6/1.6,  ITU Youth A + B - 200/4/1.2
Race 5 - Triathlon - ITU Junior - 200/4/1.2,  ITU Youth A + B - 200/4/1.2 - Finals

Day 3
Race 6 - Triathlon - ITU Junior - 400/8/2.4 - Finals 

Jake Hynes - Junior Male (54 competitors) Heat and Final - 17th Place on Points
Race # 1 - 9th Place
Race # 2 - 13th Place
Race # 3 - 18th Place
Race # 4 - 16th Place
Race # 5 - 10th Place
Race # 6 - "A "Final - 15th Place
2 years ago Jake lined up in the "D" Final at this race. FAst forward and we saw Jake in the "A" Final. He gained valuable lessons and experience that showed from how and what he had and had not been doing in training. It showed that he needs to believe in himself when he needs it. Each time he got on that line he gave what he could and to see the progression over the 2 years shows the level he is at with plenty more room for improvement that will make him a better athlete.

Romy Wolstencroft - Junior Female (32 competitors) Heat and Final - 16th Place on Points
Race # 1 - 7th Place
Race # 2 - 4th Place
Race # 3 - 15th Place
Race # 4 - 18th Place
Race # 5 - 14th Place
Race # 6 - "A "Final - 16th Place
This was Romy's first appearance at this weekend of racing and was always going to be dependant on how well she swam. She gave it a red hot go where the girls were all looking over her shoulder watching her run them down. In the A Final she got blown off her bike from the strong gusts of wind but still manage to get to the end of bike and chased them hard on the run passing 2 girls. Guts and detremination was shown with skin off her hip, back, shoulder and face. The helmet didn't survive that well with 3 massive cracks in it. A lot of experienced gain throughout this wekend as well and will be vital for future races.

Meg Roberts - Junior Female (32 competitors) Heat and Final - Tied 22nd Place on Points
Race # 1 - 26th Place
Race # 2 - 14th Place
Race # 3 - 20th Place
Race # 4 - 24th Place
Race # 5 - 24th Place
Race # 6 - "B "Final - 5th Place
This was Meg's first attempt at this weekend of racing and was also the youngest in the age group so found the going tough against some of the best Juniors running around in Australia. She did the best she could each time she lined up and thats all you can ask for. THe valuable experience at competing at this level will only further enhance her for future races

Kaya Shults - Youth A Female (49 competitors) Heat and Final - 11th Place on Points
Race # 1 - 9th Place
Race # 2 - 5th Place
Race # 3 - 30th Place
Race # 4 - 6th Place
Race # 5 - "A "Final - 14th Place
Kaya's skill shown thru in this weeeknd and showed the importance and how to execute these to push out a result. In some of the races, even tho draft legal, she was foirced to ride solo as she was too strong for her fellow competitors. She tried in the "A" Final to break away with some other girls but was in vein as the pack rode them pack down due to athletes not pulling their turn and was over run by the runners. Lot of experience and self confindence was taken out over the weekend that will further enhance Kaya in future races.

Macey Roberts - Youth A Female (49 competitors) Heat and Final - Tied 31st Place on Points
Race # 1 - 33rd Place
Race # 2 - 11th Place
Race # 3 - 22nd Place
Race # 4 - 42nd Place
Race # 5 - "B "Final - 3rd Place
Macey never left anything in the tank over the weekend and raced against some very fast and explosive athletes over the 2 days. It was always going to be a test of her will and she showed in the "B" Final what she was capable of with a 3rd place where she had a brilliant run to run herself into that position.

Ryan Marsh - Youth B Male (17 competitors) Straight Heat and Final - 6th Place on Points
Race # 1 - 9th Place
Race # 2 - 3rd Place
Race # 3 - 8th Place
Race # 4 - 7th Place
Race # 5 - Final - 6th Place
Ryan's first time here as well and was giving a lot of growth away to his fellow competitors. Always hard in this 12-13 Years category as the growth rates are different to each competitor. Ryan gave it his all and gained some valuable exposure to some of the top juniors in australia that will only enhance his performances in the future.

Jazzy Shults - Youth B Female (16 competitors) Straight Heat and Final - 7th Place on Points
Race # 1 - 6th Place
Race # 2 - 8th Place
Race # 3 - 10th Place
Race # 4 - 6th Place
Race # 5 - Final - 6th Place
Jazzy being the younest in a double age group performed amazingly and at times when she was running next to some of the girls looked like an episode from land of the Giants. This little pocket rocket gave it her all in her first exposure to this type of racing and will be better for it when it comes around next year.

Very Proud Coach of the achievements, results and the sportsmanship shown by this wonderful group of athletes. Looking forward to Round # 2 at Robina on 21st January.