Another Very Successful weekend of racing from the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes that raced at the ITU Junior Oceania Championships at New Plymouth NZ, Queensland Cross Triathlon Champs and the Race # 4 of the Bribie Island Triathlon Series.

Over the ditch, for the Oceania Junior Championships at New Plymouth. With some extreme weather the day before the race, we didn't know what race day was going to produce. With both the SCTA / Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship Holders Jake Hynes and Romy Wolstencroft toeing the line.

​At race brief, the forecast said earlier morning shower then fine. It was right on the money. The early morning shower started as the Female got on their bikes. A tough hilly course with some technical section was going to make it interesting and just staying upright on the bike!!

​Romy Wolstencroft had a great swim to exit in the 2nd pack. The first pack consisted of a Canadian (Comm Games Competitor) and 2 Kiwis (one finished 5th at World Juniors) so it was going to be hard to ride down the front 3.

​Romy was in a pack that had the main Australian Girls she was locked in a battle for the World Junior Berth. (This race doubled as the only automatic selection-based world junior policy. The aim - had to be first Australian and in top 3 across the line). 

​Romy's pack finished the bike leg together a minute behind the leaders. She was going to need one of her blistering runs if she was to take any time out of the girls. For the first time this series, she struggled off the bike. The rain and cool temps contributed to this with her not being about to feel her feet. Transition was terrible and she was in chase mode. Something she has done all this year. About halfway into the run she got her rhythm and was able to make some inroads picking up each Aussie she was in a battle with. She was able to real them in and nearly got the Korean to which she ended up 5th / 3rd Oceania Champs / 1st Australian with 2 kiwis, a Canadian and a Korean in front of her. Now we wait to see if she has gain a spot on the Australian Team for the World Champs in September.

​Jake Hynes started 1hr after Romy's finished and witnessed how well she went. It was now Jakes turn to put it all on the line and see what he could do. After our cycle course familiarisation on the Friday, Jake was so excited to hit the course. It was a course that suited him. We had a discussion on what he wanted to do in the race and game up with a game plan.

​Unfortunately racing doesn't go the way you want sometimes. A very physical swim saw him exit a lot further down than he normally does. A quick transition and he was off and in a great spot. A dropped chain as he was getting back into the big ring after the climb was terrible timing and missed the pack and rode solo for the majority of the ride.

​What you do in adversity shows the true character of the athlete. Could have been easy to sit back and just go thru the motions. But Jake wanted to finish off this race in style. I gave him a few encouraging words as he was coming off the bike, lets show them how we run. And run he did. Off the bike in around 40th place to finish 22nd overall and 11th Aussie, shows the true grit and determination. Very proud of what you did today in that race Jake. You have come a long way in this season and a true role model for the younger athletes to look up to. Well done mate. 

From the photos I saw of the bikes and bodies post Queensland Cross Triathlon Champs covered in mud, showed that it would have been a fun race. Hard but Fun. With the recent rain we have been having would have added another element to deal with during the race. Which you all took on extremely well. The Dynamic Duo of Brodie Gardner and Kate Schultz saw both of them take out the Open Male and Open Female Race Wins, while Ryan Marsh (14-15) gain another Qld Medal with a Bronze. Scott Marsh (12-13) always toils hard with a gutsy 5th place.

​At Bribie Island for the finale of the 4-race series, saw some very fast racing over the sprint distance format. We had 4 age group winners, Jordan Gover (45-49), Pauline Ashley (45-49), Brett Stalley (55-59) and Marilyn Shrapnel (70-74) while in 2nd was Tania Gover (40-44) and Jan Harvey (50-54) with both Gary Turner (65-69) and Kelly Enright (30-34) in 3rd place.

I am astounded by the amazing results that the SCTA athletes are producing week in and week out. The hard work that goes into these results doesn't go unnoticed. The comradery, the laughs and the good times at training and racing is a major reason. The self-belief and the wanting to be better athletes and pushing the boundaries is a vital reason for the great success that we have received over this season as individuals and as a Club. This Coach is very proud of the results, the attitude to getting the job done and the belief in what I do as a Coach. It is a major reason why I am enjoying the Coaching again.

The year ahead is going to be massive with the upcoming World Championships. I look forward to weaving some magic and seeing that honour board with your names on it post World Champs. Well done Team SCTA   

Well done to all that raced. Full results below
ITU Oceania Junior Triathlon Champs - NZ 25.03.18 750/20/5
Romy Wolstencroft - 5th Place ITU Junior Female / 3rd Place Oceania Champs / 1st Australian
​Jake Hynes - 22nd Place ITU Junior Male / 11th Place Australian 

Queensland Cross Triathlon Champs - Back to Back Enduro 24.03.18 350/10/4 x 2
Brodie Gardner - 1st Place OPEN Male - Race Winner
​Kate Schultz - 1st Place OPEN Female - Race Winner
Ryan Marsh - 3rd Place 14-15 Years Male
​Scott Marsh - 5th Place 12-13 Years Male

​Bribie Island Triathlon Race # 4 - 25.03.18 750/20/5
Jordan Gover - 1st Place 45-49 years Male - 6th Overall
​Pauline Ashley - 1st Place 45-49 Years Female - 7th Female Overall
​Brett Stalley - 1st Place 55-59 Years Male
Tania Gover - 2nd Place 40-44 Years Female
​Jan Harvey - 2nd Place 50-54 Years Female
Gary Turner - 3rd Place 65-69 Years Male
Jessica Lee - 5th Place 35-39 years Female
​Jane Simpson - 5th Place 40-44 Years Female
Short Course - 300/10/3
Marilyn Shrapnel - 1st Place 70-74 Years Female
Kelly Enright - 3rd Place 30-34 Years Female

It seems every weekend there are Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes in Action. This weekend was no different with the Queensland Olympic Distance Championships at Kingscliff, Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney and the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships at Maroochydore.

​Kingscliff Triathlon doubled as the Queensland OD Distance Champs. We had Erin Reid (40-44) where she just missed the podium with a 4th Place. The Sprint Distance, Big Kids and Junior Kids all counted as Qld championships events for those age categories. Ryan Marsh just missed the podium in a very strong age group with 4th place 12-13 Years Male. Finn Barlow finished 2nd 10-12 Years but she was the first Qld home so she took out the State Championships title while Pipi Barlow was 5th 7-9 Years Female. Scott Marsh lined up in the Tempta to finish 18th 12-13 Years Male

​While in Sydney, Mackenzie Ofield was in action at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships where she walked her way into 5th place in the 3000m U/15 Years female Walk.

​At Mooloolaba and then moved back to Maroochydore over the weekend Stuart Louth was in action at the Qld Surf Life Saving Champs where he finished 2nd Ironman and 3rd in the Ski race. 
​
Well done to all that raced. Full results below
​Kingscliff Triathlon - Qld OD Championships - 18/03/18
Erin Reid - 4th Place 40-44 Years Female
Sprint 750/20/5
Ryan Marsh - 4th Place 13-15 Years Male
Tempta 300/10/2.5
Scott Marsh - 18th Place 12-13 Years Male
Big Kids 200/6/1
Finn Barlow - 2nd Place 10-12 Years Female - State Champ
Juniors 100/3/500
​Pipi Barlow - 5th Place 7-9 Years Female

2018 Australian Junior Athletics Championships - Sydney - 14-18/03/18
​Mackenzie Ofield - 5th Place U/15 Years 3000m Walk

Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships - 16-18/03/18
Stuart Louth - 35-39 Years Male
​2nd Place Ironman / 3rd Place Ski / 5th Place Surf Swim

Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival didn't disappoint and never did the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes either that were in action over the weekend. While the weather wasn't particularly kind to the weekend, the racing was still fast and furious with Australian Titles on the line and double points for selection.

​Sunday saw a wind change and the surf had dropped with calm and glassy conditions. However the bike course had a tailwind / cross wind out and a headwind back home which played havoc out on the course. There were some awesome performance right across the board with some first timers racing and the seasoned athlete amongst the SCTA crew.

​Podium positions went to Kate Schultz (30-34) and Brodie Gardner (30-34) with 2nd places. Ron Craig rounded out the podium in 3rd (Clydesdale) . Just missing the podium in 4th was Anastasia Heikkila (15-19) and Lucy Bowden (25-29). Matt Wolstencroft was 5th (45-49). In 7th Place Jordan Gover (45-49) and Brett Stalley (55-59). SCTA Club Member Melissa Charlton took out the Australian Title in the 35-39 Years Female

​Saturday morning saw the Supakidz changed to a duathlon due to the water and they were greeted with rain. They actually got the worse of the conditions over the weekend. But that didn't deter them with all the kids racing extremely well. Well done to Zoe Davis, Thomas Beaney, Max Penny, Bonnie Cathcart, Heidi Craig, and Ava Foreman.

​Saturday Afternoon saw Rachel James PNG line up in the ITU World Cup, this was one of her last races in preparations for the Commonwealth Games. For the past 3 years she has based herself down here on the Sunshine Coast, self funded, so it is always hard going up against athletes that are funded within their specific federations.

Race arvo rolled around and with some swell, chop and a wade it was going to suit her opposed to the Europeans and Asian athletes. 2 years ago she raced and was lapped out on the 3rd lap. This time Rachel made it to the 4th lap and missed out on running due to the run lap cross over rule. Always hard riding by yourself against the girls sitting in the pack. The wind wasn't kind with a great tailwind out and a massive headwind home that she had to negotiate.

​It kicked off Friday Afternoon for the 5km Twilight run. SCTA was well represented with a 2 lap course that saw a great tailwind out and a headwind home. All raced well with 2nd places to Peyton Craig, Simon Hearn and Gary Binet. Ryan Marsh was 3rd. Kirra Seidel was 4th Open Female, while Josh Corcoran and Julia Turner was 5th.

​Triathlon Australia have just released the final point score of the Sprint distance selection for season 2017-18. With the best 3 races counting towards the points. 11 SCTA Athletes have provisionally been selected into the Australian Team with the final team announced on 2nd April. Romy Wolstencroft gained automatic selection with a win at Australian Sprint Champs while Jordan Gover (2nd) and Tania Gover (3rd) also gain automatic selection with finishing top 3 in the series. Other Athletes selected include Maureen Cummings (4th), Matthew Wolstencroft (4th), Michael Hooper (7th), Chloe Turner (8th), Gary Turner (9th), Lucy Bowden (16th), Kelly Enright (17th) and Maddison Dutton (21st). Well done

​Lastly the Series points are in from the QTS over 7 races for season 2017-18. SCTA finished 3rd on Club point score behind 2 bigger clubs of Reddog and Sharks Triathlon Clubs. We had only a small race at the last race where it was double points. With so much racing elsewhere was going to be hard to hold onto 2nd place. Still a massive achievement with a small contingent that race each race in the series. A big thanks to all that raced and gained points for SCTA.

​In the Age Group titles, Series winners went to Parker Duetzmann, Finn Barlow, Jazzy Shults and Lucy Bowden. With 2nd places were Gary Turner, Peyton Craig and Tania Gover while in 3rd went to Ryan Marsh, Kayleigh Foster and Romy Wolstencroft.

​Well done to all that raced. Full results below
Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival - 09-11.03.18
Mooloolaba Triathlon - 1.5/40/10 - Australian Championships
Melissa Charlton - 1st Place 35-39 Years Female (Club Member)
Kate Schultz - 2nd Place 30-34 Years Female
Brodie Gardner - 2nd Place 30-34 Years Male
​Ron Craig - 3rd Place Clydesdale 90-99kg
​Anastasia Heikkila - 4th Place 15-19 Years Female
​Lucy Bowden - 4th Place 25-29 Years Female
Matthew Wolstencroft - 5th Place 45-49 Years Male
​Jordan Gover - 7th Place 45-49 Years Male
Brett Stalley - 7th Place 55-59 years Male
Dean Saunders - 12th Place Clydesdale 100kg +
Sharlene Leeson - 12th Place 40-44 Years Female
Michael Woodcock - 13th Place 45-49 Years Male
Amy Macpherson - 15th Place 25-29 Years Female
​Timmy Hortz - 19th Place 30-34 Years Male
Pauline Ashley - 20th Place 45-49 Years Female
Charlotte Durand - 23rd Place 25-29 years Female
Ange Brearly - 23rd Place 30-34 Years Female
Wade Scougall - 24th Place 40-44 Years Male
David Gray - 29th Place 50-54 Years Male
Jen Shults - 34th Place 40-44 Years Female
​Lindsay Keating - 39th Place 35-39 Years Female
Scott shults - 47th Place 40-44 Years Male
​Sarah Pye - 48th Place 35-39 Years Female
​Norm Marsh - 54th Place 50-54 Years Male
​Jessica Lee - 59th Place 35-39 Years Female
Trent Raddatz - 77th Place 35-39 Years Male
​Courtney Akrigg - 78th Place 30-34 Years Female
​Anna Eaton - 81st Place 35-39 Years Female
Drew Westbrook - 107th Place 45-49 Years Male
Grant Cunning - 114th Place 30-34 Years Male
​Grant Elliot - 138th Place 45-49 Years Male
​Luke Jensen - 141st Place 35-39 Years Male

1km Ocean Swim
Sam Penny - 2nd Place 40-49 Years Male
Jake Hynes - 4th Place OPEN Males
Kaya Shults - 5th Place OPEN Female
Kitouli Wood - 6th Place 16-19 Years Female
​
5km Twilight Run - 09.03.18
Peyton Craig - 2nd Place U/16 Years Male
Simon Hearn - 2nd Place 20-29 Years Male
Gary Binet - 2nd Place 40-49 years Male
Ryan Marsh - 3rd Place U/16 Years Male
​Kirra Seidel - 4th Place OPEN Female
Julia Turner - 5th Place 30-39 Years Female
Josh Corcoran - 5th Place 20-29 years Male
Jazzy Shults - 6th Place U/16 Years Female
Chloe Turner - 7th Place OPEN Female
Mackenzie Ofield - 9th Place U/16 Years Female
​Macey Roberts - 12th Place U/16 Years Female

Triathlon Australian Sprint Distance World Selection Point score - 2017-18
​Romy Wolstencroft - 16-19 Years Female - Automatic Qualification
Jordan Gover - 2nd Place 45-49 Years Male - Automatic Qualification
Tania Gover - 3rd Place 40-44 Years Female - Automatic Qualification
Maureen Cummings - 4th Place 55-59 Years Female
Matthew Wolstencroft - 4th Place 45-49 Years Male
Michael Hooper - 7th Place 20-24 Years Male
Chloe Turner - 8th Place 25-29 Years Female
Gary Turner - 9th Place 70-74 Years Male
​Lucy Bowden - 16th Place 25-29 Years Female
Kelly Enright - 17th Place 30-34 Years Female
​Maddison Dutton - 21st Place 20-24 years Female
​All have been provisionally selected into the Australian Sprint Distance Team

Queensland Triathlon Series - 7 Races 2017-18
​SCTA - 3rd Place Club Point score
Parker Duetzmann - 1st Place 7-9 Years Male Kool Kids
Finn Barlow - 1st Place 10-11 Years Female Kool Kids
​Jazzy Shults - 1st Place U/14 Years Female Enticer
Lucy Bowden - 1st Place 25-29 Years Female
Gary Turner - 2nd Place 65-59 Years Male
Peyton Craig - 2nd Place U/14 Years Male Enticer
​Tania Gover - 2nd Place 40-44 Years Female
Ryan Marsh - 3rd Place 14-15 Years Male
​Kayleigh Foster - 3rd Place 14-15 Years Female
​Romy Wolstencroft - 3rd Place 16-19 Years Female 
​Pipi Barlow - 4th Place 7-9 Years Female Kool Kids
Emma Dann - 5th Place 16-19 Years Female
Orla Gallagher - 5th Place 35-39 Years Female
Maureen Cummings - 5th Place 55-59 Years Female
Brodie Gardner - 6th Place 30-34 Years Male
Jack Dann - 6th Place U/16 Male Enticer
Kate Schultz - 7th Place - 30-34 Years Female
Jake Hy6nes - 7th Place 16-19 Years Male
Pauline Ashley - 8th Place 45-49 years Female
Mick Woodcock - 9th Place 45-49 years Male
​Chloe Turner - 9th Place 25-29 Years Female
Hannah Blanchett - 10th Place 25-29 Years Female
​Kaya Shults - 11th Place 16-19 Years Female

Another extremely successful weekend of racing by the Sunshine Coast Triathlon Academy / Protector Aluminium Athletes over the weekend. We had athletes in action at Australian Junior / Youth Triathlon Championships in Perth, New Zealand Ironman and 70.3, QTS # 7 Raby Bay Triathlon, Coffs Harbour Triathlon, Queensland Athletics Meet and at the Queensland Youth Surf Championships.

Over in the West, 2 days of racing that saw SCTA Scholarship Holders Romy Wolstencroft and Jake Hynes in the Junior along with Ryan Marsh in Youth “A”. All Athletes had to race 2 Super Sprint races of 300m Swim, 12km Cycle and a 2.5km Run. Heat and final format with an “A” and “B” Final with 8 progressing in the Junior Female, 14 progressing in Junior Male and 12 progressing in the Youth “A”.

Romy Wolstencroft didn’t have an ideal heat, where she had to chase pretty hard on the bike to bring back some time and catch the leading females. She needed to work a bit harder in the run to bridge the gap and to make sure we progressed to the final. Which she did in 3rd.

The final saw another gutsy performance where she had to work hard again on the bike to bridge the gap. This time she did and was in the first pack with the leading females. Off onto the run leg and she stamped her authority. She was up against a gutsy and tenacious Charlotte Derbyshire. They ran neck and neck for the whole 2.5km with 1 sec separating them in a sprint finish for the Australian Championship. Romy walked away with the silver medal and running 2nd in the series.

Jake Hynes first heat started off well with a great start in the swim to lead to the first exit of the water then had to run down the pier and jump back in the water. He exited the water in a good spot and was with the lead pack on the bike. There was a chase pack that had to work hard but they held off the pack to start the run. Due to the nature of the heat to progress to the final it was a cat and mouse to see who could save energy for the final. Jake progressed to the ”A” Final with a 3rd place

The final was a cracker and it was on again in the swim. The start was pretty frantic and there was a lot of bargey where quite a few got catch up in it including Jake. He finished the swim and just missed the leading pack. They had a strong group that held to within 20 sec of the leading pack. Jake suffered with some cramping and his normal fast run was negated. He back the pace off and then got his rhythm going again. He finished of strongly to place 12th

Ryan Marsh biggest challenge was to get into the “A” Final racing against boys that are a year older and some of them with a lot more strength. Once again it is a great learning experience for Ryan and he swam hard to just miss the pack. The 2 other Queenslanders that were with him formed a pack and rode strongly to stay in front of the other boys that were chasing him. Off the bike and Ryan held onto his position and finish in the top 12 to progress to the ”A “ Final in which he was 10th.

Once again, the pace was on from the out stead and Ryan just lacked that top end speed to stay in touch with them. He battled on strongly and rode solo while the rest were in a pack. Never easy but he battled to the end to finish 12th. With another year in that category it will be interesting to see the progressive for next year.

In New Zealand we had Tara Partridge in the Ironman and Tania Gover in the 70.3. As usual these 2 crazy cats had a lot of fun out there on the race course. In cool and tough conditions. Tania had a great race to take out 3rd place on the podium in the 40-44. Tara had a great day out in the office where she had a great preparation going into the event. She smiled her way thru the race to finish in 13 hours 3 minutes and 49 sec to finish 19th place 40-44 years.

At the Queensland Youth Surf Championships, we had Peyton Craig, Jazzy Shults and Finn Barlow competing. Peyton took out the U/13 boys 1km beach run and was 3rd in Flags. Jazzy was 2nd U/14 female 1km beach run and 8th in beach sprint. Finn had a great day out with wins in U/12 Female Beach Relay and Board Relay, 2nd in Cameron and Board Relay and 8th in beach sprint.

Mackenzie Ofield lined up in the Queensland Athletics Meet in Brisbane where she did a PB by 30 secs in the 3000m walk. In the process her time she walked was 11sec faster than the “A” Squad qualifying time (“A” Squad – Australia’s Top 8) Let’s say she was very happy with her performance.

While the last race of the Queensland Triathlon Series was held at Raby Bay. This was the 7th Race in the series and was double points towards the Club Championships Point score in which SCTA was 2nd heading into the round. Michael Woodcock and Kevin Hammond took out category wins, while Brodie Gardner was 3rd OPEN Male. In the Super Sprint Chloe Turner 2nd and Kayleigh Foster 6th

While in Coffs Harbour for an Olympic Distance Qualifier for the World Championships we saw Brett Stalley 2nd, Pauline Ashley 6th and Wade Scougall 11th

Well done to all that raced. Full Results Below
Australian ITU Junior / Youth Championships / National Junior Series Race # 3 - 03-04.03.18
Romy Wolstencroft - 2nd Place Junior Female
​Jake Hynes - 12th Place Junior Male
Ryan Marsh - 12th Place Youth A Male
​Romy / Jake - 2nd Place Junior Mixed Team Relay

New Zealand Ironman - 03.03.18 - 3.8/180/42.2
Tara Partridge - 19th Place 40-44 Years Female - 13:03:49
70.3 
​Tania Gover - 3rd Place 40-44 Years Female

QTS # 7 - Raby Bay Triathlon - 04.03.18 - 900/25/6
Michael Woodcock - 1st Place 45-49 Years Male
Kevin Hammond - 1st Place 90-99kg Clydesdale
Brodie Gardner - 3rd Place OPEN Male
Super Sprint - 400/15/4
Chloe Turner - 2nd Place 25-29 Years Female
​Kayleigh Foster - 6th Place 14-15 Years Female
Angie Hammond - 11th Place 40-44 Years Female
​Kool Kids 100/2/400
​Parker Duetzmann - 2nd Place 7-9 Years Male
​Jake Hammond - 10th Place 7-9 Years Male
​Zak Hammond - 36th Place 7-9 Years Male 

Coffs Harbour Triathlon - 04.03.18 - 1.5/40/10 - Australian OD Team Selection Race
Brett Stalley - 2nd Place 55-59 Years Male
Pauline Ashley - 6th Place 45-49 Years Female
​Wade Scougall - 11th Place 40-44 Years Male
​Michelle and Maddi Clarke - 27th Place Mixed Team

Just Tri It - Caloundra Tri - 04.03.18
Metsure Insurance Brokers - 1st Place Short Course Teams

​Queensland Youth Surf Life Saving Championships - 02-04.03.18 - Alex Headlands
​Peyton Craig -  U/13 Years Male
1st Place - 1km Beach Run / 3rd Place - Flags
Finn Barlow - U/12 Years Female
​1st Place - Beach Relay  / 1st Place - Board Relay
2nd Place - board Rescue / 2nd Place - Cameron Relay
8th Beach Sprint
Jazzy Shults - U/14 Years Female
​2nd Place - 1km Beach Run / 8th Place - Cameron Relay

Queensland Athletics Meet - Brisbane - 01.03.18
​Mackenzie Ofield - 1st Place U/15 Years Female 3000m Walk