Race Updates

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