News from 2005

Gold and Silver for Richard Stannard in World Championships

Tuesday, September 20 2005

In just ten days Great Britain athlete Richard Stannard has won Gold and Silver in two different World Championships on two continents. Richard took Gold in the World Biathle (Run 1.5km, Swim 200m, Run 1.5km) Championships, in Monaco and Silver in the World Aquathlon (Run2.5km, Swim 1km, Run2.5km) Championships in Japan.

The 7th Biathle World Championships were held in Monaco on 18 September. Organised under the High Patronage and in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, President the Monegasque Modern Pentathlon Federation and UIPM Honorary President, with the cooperation of Sirius Sports Marketing. The Championships continued the success of previous editions with over 360 athletes from all 5 continents taking part.

UIPM President Klaus Schormann and UIPM Executive Board members Mauro Tirinnanzi and Martin Dawe were present in addition to Secretary General Joël Bouzou and UIPM EB member Pernille Svarre who both competed in the Championships. Indeed, Pernille Svarrre, won Silver in the Masters A Category.

The competition took place on Larvotto Plage and although the weather was not nearly as good as it was 2 years ago, when the Championships last took place in Monaco, it was still enjoyed by the many spectators who came to watch the competition. Boosting the spectator figures and giving a family party atmosphere to the competition, were the numerous relatives of the athletes who had come to Monaco to offer their support. Marc Toesca, a French TV presenter, was the official announcer for the competition and kept everyone informed of the day's proceedings.

Men -- Richard Stannard (GBR) winner of this year's World Tour event in his home country, pulled of another great performance to win Gold, leading from the start of the race and finishing a good 8 seconds ahead of last year's silver medallist Leonardo Fiorella (ITA), and 21 seconds ahead of 2004 World Champion Manuele Canuto (ITA). He was delighted with his result, adding that he found Biathle a very fast event in which he enjoyed taking part.

Ten days, previously Stannard had been on a plane to Japan for the World Aquathlon and Triathlon Championships. With only three days separating the two races Stannard was given the job of 'domestique' (a cycling term for helper) in the Triathlon, to help the team and this allowed him to concentrate his efforts on winning a medal in the Aquathlon his favoured event. This he duly did. In an exciting sprint finish Richard took the silver medal behind fellow British Athlete Tim Don. Richard commented afterwards, 'it was an exciting race and much faster than in previous years. Tim and I have moved the Sport up a level. It is hard, though, to be beaten by such a close margin (0.00.00)' he added 'But it was great to have two Union Jacks raised and your National Anthem played.'

Tim and Richard beat previous silver meda.list Paulo Miyashiro into Bronze position and three- time World Aquathlon Champion Shane Reed into 4th place an indication that Britain dominates the World in these Swim Run events.

Biathle

Designed as a 'Sport for All', Biathle has been practiced for over 50 years and is the most recent of the UIPM products. It is a fun sport to take part in and a fun sport to watch. It combines the two basic elements of Modern Pentathlon, running and swimming, in a spectacular continuous format. Capable of being organised in any season, indoors or outdoors, Biathle competition distances differ depending upon age category. Senior, Junior and Youth A athletes run 1500m, swim 200m, and run 1500m. Shorter distances exist for Masters and Youth B, C, D and E categories. Biathle permits more involvement for the smaller countries in the world of sport, allowing UIPM to introduce the world's youth to the sport of modern pentathlon and to instill the values of sport for all, culture and education through sport.

Aquathlon

This exciting multi-sport is a fast and furious curtain raiser for to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Championship week each year. A sport for the transition specialist who can switch from run to swim to run again and cope with the demands placed on the heart and lungs. Dominated in its early years by the New Zealand and Australian Athletes, it has become so popular with the both amateur and professional alike that many countries especially the United States field separate Aquathlon and Triathlon teams during the Annual Multisport Festival of the ITU World Championships.

For more information: www.triathlon.org, www.petathlon.org, www.richardstannard.org

Record Still Intact

Monday, August 15 2005

The London Triathlon held last weekend at the Excel Centre in London's Royal Victoria Dock can now lay claim to the largest triathlon in the world with over 8500 competitors competing over the two days of competition. I had until this year been the fastest swimmer ever to attend London having never been beaten out of the water.

Eight years running I have led out and the organisers thought it would be nice if I had some competition this year. So they organised for the 'World's fastest triathlon swimmer' Craig Walton from Australia to attend and Ben Sanson from France the former 'World's fastest triathlon swimmer'. Having had a dreadful swim in Salford World Cup the previous week I was less than confident, so I spent the week in training assessing my form, working on my technique and mentally preparing for the task of keeping the record intact.

On race morning I woke early and headed down to the hotel swimming pool only a small 15m pool and not a 1km long dock, but still adequate for the purpose of warming up for the race. I like to have two swim warm ups, I learnt this when racing for Leatherhead Swimming Club growing up. If I swim as soon as I wake up and then again before the race, my body seems better able to cope with the fast starts.

I had a twenty minute warm up followed by a lite jog and then headed in for breakfast. Having never beaten the two foreign athletes out of the water before and only having raced them a few times I was quite nervous.

As I left my hotel room to head down to the event I had my ipod playing some music I had been listening to all week while going to training and imagined my self leading the swim. I continued to listen to the same track of music all the way down to the dock side. Only taking my head phones off a minute before we entered the water.

As the gun fired I had Craig on my immediate left and Ben a little way to my left. Ben had a great start and was in the lead for the about 200m. I was just beside Craig who after 200m began to ease into the lead. The rest of field were now strung out behind us. I stayed on Craig's feet until the half way point 750m which was the first turn buoy. I then accelerated and came along side Craig. He did not give an inch and we proceeded to swim side by side until about 20m to go. It was here I made my move and accelerated from what was already a very fast swim. It was this acceleration that actually made the rest of the race very tough for me but also allowed me to continue my record and remain the fastest swimmer in the London triathlon. I edged ahead of Craig something I had never achieved before and exited the swim up the finish ramp ahead. We found out at the end of the race that we had swum the 1500m nearly a minute faster than the previous record by me!

The rest of the race however, the bike and run, was now a struggle as I had committed totally to beating the World's best Triathlon swimmers to maintain my record. However, it did teach me how hard I could swim to still maintain a good overall race. I finished the race in 13th place not an outstanding overall performance, but one that kept the record of a decade at the front of the swim still alive.

Autoglass Sponsorship

Wednesday, August 3 2005

BRITISH CHAMPION TRIATHLETE RICHARD STANNARD SIGNS SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH AUTOGLASS®

World and British Champion athlete Richard Stannard announced today that he has signed a 13 month sponsorship deal with windscreen replacement specialist Autoglass®.

The announcement came as Stannard joined 240 Autoglass® employees competing in this weekend's London Triathlon at the ExCel centre in London.

Stannard said "I am very grateful to Autoglass® for all of their support, not only for me but for athletics as a whole. They take their annual entry into the London Triathlon very seriously. This year they will have the largest corporate entry into the competition, and raise a lot of money for charity.

"My role next year will be very hands on. I will be helping to train the Autoglass® team for the 2006 event and giving advice and support to everyone who wants to take part, so hopefully even more staff members join in the fun.®

The deal will see the sports star running training sessions for the would-be Autoglass® triathletes and carrying Autoglass® branding at all of his major sporting competitions.

Stannard will compete in the Olympic Distance Triathlon alongside Autoglass® Managing Director, Nigel Doggett and Belron® CEO Gary Lubner -- who each complete an exhausting 1,500m swim, 40k cycle and 10k run.

All of the money raised this year will be donated to MaAfrika Tikkun -- a South African based charity that runs community projects providing medical care, education and food to African children and their families.

Autoglass® has been fundraising for the charity for two years, enabling it to continue to help 2,000 disadvantaged South Africans a week -- mainly children, many of whom head their households after losing both parents to AIDS.

Nigel Doggett, Managing Director of Autoglass® said:

"Autoglass® is proud to be sponsoring Richard Stannard. It is going to give a huge boost to those Autoglass® employees who have worked so hard to train for the London Triathlon over the last few years.

"I am immensely proud that so many of them could compete with me again this year to raise a record amount of money for a very worthwhile cause®.

For more information and photography: Please contact Lucy Prioli on 020 7861 2451 or lprioli@qbo-bellpottinger.co.uk

MaAfrika Tikkun

MaAfrika Tikkun is a South African based charity offering community support to children and their families, many of whom have had their lives shattered by the AIDS epidemic. The charity is one of few in the country that benefits from Nelson Mandela's patronage.

Nelson Mandela says of his charity: "It is my belief that MaAfrika Tikkun represents the best of what civil society can offer in partnership with Government's considerable efforts...providing both physical help as well as giving hope and dignity to the recipients."

Autoglass®

Autoglass® is the UK's leading vehicle glass repair and replacement expert, serving 1.3 million drivers each year through 1300 mobile service units. This mobile network delivers the widest service in the UK and Ireland, a service that, uniquely, extends to the rest of Europe through the Carglass® brand.

Autoglass® has the highest safety standards: it only uses glass from vehicle manufacturers' suppliers, uses one of the quickest drying bonding systems and trains its Technicians to the highest possible standards.

Glass repair and replacement can be booked on-line at www.autoglass.co.uk or by calling the 24/7 free-phone number 0800 36 36 36® in the UK and 00 800 0 36 36 36 0 in Europe.

Autoglass® is part of Belron®, the global market leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement, operating in 27 countries across the world. Belron® has been supporting the Orange Farm community -- a settlement near Johannesburg offering health care, education, and food to 480 orphans a day, for two years.

Loch Ness Adventure Tri

Tuesday, July 26 2005

Last weekend saw the start of this year's Adventure Tri Series in Loch Ness Scotland. With the event Organizers Nova International doing a press release about the race, including the fact that they had taken out insurance against attack by the monster, interest in the event had gone global with inquires and news reports from Canada, Europe and Australia!

On race morning we arrived at the Loch near Drumnadrochit, the swim section took place in the Shadow of Urquhart Castle, built on the shores of Loch Ness; it is one of Scotland's best known castles. Many of the famous monster sightings and photographs have been around the ruins.

Standing on the banks of the Loch for the first time I could see the vast expanse of water stretch out through the heart of Scotland. At over 20 miles long and virtually bottomless it has to be one of the most scenic and stunning lakes I have ever swum in.

As I got in to the cold waters for warm up (the lake was about 14 degrees a little colder than the 22 degrees of my lake at home) I notice how dark the water was. I then realized the reason for its colour. I was in over 250ft of water and I was about 3meters from the bank! The sides of the Loch just drop away into an abyss, a black dark place where submarines can barely go. I thought 'no wonder stories of monsters have been told over the years.'

The race started with a dive from a harbour wall into the cool black waters, I quickly found myself in the lead with the two Scottish athletes Blair Cartmell and Kevin Clark in hot pursuit. At the first turn buoy I made a surge and managed to gap the field and the Scots. The swim was two laps with a course that took us well out into Urquhart Bay and back to the banks of the Loch where we did a short exit and dive back into the deep waters.

I had gained a good lead by the end of the first lap and tried to increase this on the second. I knew that there were some very good mountain bikers and runners in the field particularly Frenchman Nicolas Lebrun and Englishman Sam Gardner.

I worked hard all the way to the finish and came across the line on 18mins 10 seconds some forty seconds up on my nearest rival Scot Kevin Clark.

With the insurance policy intact it was off to the mountain biking which was held down at the southern end of the Loch near Fort Augustus. The unique format of the Adventure Tri means that we have at least a two hour break between each section of the three disciplined event. The mountain bike was held along sections of the Great Glen Way and included some North Shore Boards, this section gave a few of the athletes some problems and there were a few crashes. (Should make excellent TV!) The race has a Le Mans style start where you run to your bikes from a start line and then jump on them before racing off around the course. It was easy to see who the ex- pro mountain biker was as Sam Gardner flew onto his Scott and was in the lead very early. I moved into second place as we began the 5km climb up the mountain side with Nicolas Lebrun and English Team mate Clayton Payne in tow. After a few km Sam had got a bit of a lead and then all of a sudden the Frenchman took off in pursuit. I was unable to go with him and Clayton and I continued climbing together leaving the rest of the field behind but with two up the hill ahead of us. We continued to work together all the way round the course to try and limit our loses to the two far more experienced and stronger mountain bike riders ahead of us.

We finished the bike section in third and fourth places; I had just missed out on maintaining my lead and was now in second place by four seconds with Clayton in third over a minute behind.

From the southern end of the Loch Fort Augustus we moved north up to Inverness for the trail run at Queens Park Athletics Stadium. The trail run took us onto the adjacent golf course and then up into the hills, and when I say up I mean up. The first climb nearly reduced me to a walk but with a TV cameraman stood at the top I think I managed to keep running. Unfortunately for me and the rest of the field Nicolas Lebrun the French man in the lead after the mountain bike section had started out as a mountain runner, he made short work of the technical sections and opened up a considerable lead before we re-entered the Athletics Stadium to finish. Only one athlete was near him Kevin Clark who had an outstanding run to finish second and move him up to third overall. I had run well enough to comfortably hold onto my second place with Nicolas in first.

The race was an excellent opener for the Adventure Tri series which will be shown on Channel 5 in the autumn. In the mean time I am looking forward to the second race to be held on 20th August in Loch Lomond.

ITU World Cup Corner Brook

Thursday, July 21 2005

I have just returned from Corner Brook, Newfoundland Canada, where I raced two events the swim relay (see below) and the World Cup triathlon during their Tri-fest week. The World Cup race is held on one of the tougher courses on the circuit with both a hilly ride and run. The swims in World Cup racing are also hotting up now with a 500 US dollar prime at the end of the swim section if you lead out. Unfortunately, on this occasion I missed out exiting the water in second to Stefane Poulat from France.

On the bike we had a small group of nine away in the lead including the eventual winner Tim Don. We all worked together for the first 20km and then one of French athletes Frank Bignet decided to try to get away. This he managed and got a small lead of 30 seconds. He was joined by Marko Albert as the rest of us were swallowed up by the main field.

A group of thirty or so athletes went out onto the run together chasing the two leaders. Tim moved into the lead on the second and looked comfortable winning his third World Cup of the season! Well done to him. I was in a battle for a top ten slot with three other athletes and the positions were changing regularly as we ran up and down the hills. In a close fought finish I ended up 9th my first top 10 of the season, I am now looking forward to my next World Cup Salford in two weeks time. However, there is a small matter of a monster to with in-between in Loch Ness!

Swim Relay Corner Brook

Thursday, July 21 2005

I have just returned from Corner Brook, Newfoundland Canada, where I raced two events the swim relay and the World Cup triathlon during their Tri-fest week. The Swim relay held on the Friday before the World Cup on the Sunday was a lite hearted affair and loads of fun. Teams of three with at least one female each completed a lap of the World Cup Swim (500m each). With a real mixture of teams it was going to be a close race. My team consisted of myself Andrea Whitcombe and Samuel Pierreclaud from France. Samuel went first and was second after his lap behind the US/French team of Stefane Poulat, Sarah Haskins and Frank Bignet. Andrea had a good second lap but got caught up in the crowd and lost a little ground mostly to men, I dived in for the final lap with a bit to make up on mixed bag of males and females. I managed to catch one team by the first bouy and then a few more at the second turn but it was coming to the final bouy that I hit traffic! About five people all lined up across the lake with a few more in front I passed most on my way to the finish gantery but narrowly missed out on the podium slot for the team. It was one of the hardest open water swims I have done as I had to start so fast to catch up I was in oxygen debt and full of lactic acid by the first turn. 4th was ok but I'll look forward to next year and making the podium.

Biathle World Tour Weymouth

Monday, July 11 2005

I had another winning weekend, this week in sunny Weymouth on the South Coast of England. The beach in Weymouth was the venue for the fifth round of the Biathle World Tour, and with the temperature rising the last race of the day the senior men's was set to be an exciting encounter. Having not raced Biathle (1500m Run 200m Swim 1500m Run) for a few seasons I was little unsure about how to pace the race. Much shorter than the Aquathlon (2.5km Run 1000m Swim 2.5km Run) and the Triathlon (1500m Swim 40km Bike 10km Run) it was going to be intresting to see whether I had the speed in my legs.

Fortunately now over my injuries from May I have been able to do some speed work in training and found I was in good shape during the first run. Hanging on to second place for most of it and even being able to move into the lead as we all entered the first transition.

I used the 200m swim in the cool south coast waters to make my bid for victory and was able to secure a good lead into the second transition, although a little slow in putting my trainers back on I moved into a comfortable lead on the first lap of the three lap final run. From here I could clearly see the chasers and maintained control all the way to finish.

I had an enjoyable day in Weymouth and will look forward to attending the World Championships with the British Team to be held in Monaco on 18th September.

Great Event at the Aqualong, Bewl Water

Monday, July 4 2005

I arrived at Bewl Water on Friday evening to see a mist shroued vast expanse of lake covering the English countryside. I never realised until then just how large Bewl lake is. Having met Dan and his Urban Race crew I went off to get a good nights sleep as I realised I had my work cut out to catch my fellow competitors the next day.

Early Saturday morning saw the start of the various waves head off into the lake. The two waves I had to catch went off 15mins and 10mins repectively ahead of me. It was not until I was standing alone on the start ramp that I realised just how hard this might be. It was also then that I saw a lone swimmer from the fifteen minute group almost finishing his first lap in the swim!

As the gun for my wave (i.e. me) went I quickly got into a rhythum and was helped by the fact that several swimmers had sighted the large water tower as the second bouy and not the bouy itself which was infact some way inside the line of the tower. This allowed an easy passage down the inside avoiding the rear of the 10 minute wave. I continued to pass athletes during the first and onto the second lap of the swim having to take an odd line on a few occasions as the faster swimmers were definately navigating a much cleaner line between the bouys, forcing me to take the wider option.

As I exited the water and my favoured discipline I still had a lot of people to catch. I managed a quick transisiton and past a few more athletes, although I still had no idea how far ahead the leaders were. It was not until the top turn around at about 5km into the run that the extent of my task was obvious. I was still about 7 minutes or so down on the top two. 15km to run and 6-7 minutes to make up I starting doing the maths while negotiating the tough run course. At the second turn around, having received lots of encouragement from my fellow competitiors that I had already passed and was now seeing as I ran the out and back route, I had closed the gap to three and half minutes. I was now in third place with under 10km to go, winning looked possible but was never going to be easy on the tough twisty run course.

It was on nearing the top turn around for the final time that I finally thought the win was on but still not easy. The two front runners were now about a minute or so clear but one was fading. I set off for the final km with increased speed and effort. With 2km to go I caught second place (in the race off) Adrian Grimmond the long time leader and swim specialist who had had nearly a lap on me as I stared the swim! The 'Richard Stannard Race off' was nearly complete, as the finished neared and the course turned through the trees for the final few times the race leader came into view. With one final effort I moved into the lead as both of us, myself and Andrew Eaton congratulated each other. I ran the final straight on my own just clear of Andrew and received a great reception as I crossed the finish line.

I had the honour of presenting the prizes and chating with many of the competitors I had raced earlier in the day. I would like to thank Dan and the Urban Race crew for a great race plus the Southern Water authorities for giving permission to use the beautiful Lake at Bewl and a special thanks to all the athletes who took part making the race so tough!

Aqualong Arrives

Friday, July 1 2005

This weekend I am racing the Aqualong at Bewl Water. As this is a pro/am race I am chasing down the other athletes. They are getting at least 10 to 15 minutes head start!! Well hopefully I can catch some competitors during the 3000m Swim 20km Run. A report and photos of the event should appear next week.

My First Xterra Amazing Fun and Very Hard

Tuesday, June 28 2005

I just spent a great weekend in Sardinia for my first Xterra Race (Swim 1500m, Mountain Bike 35km, Trail Run 10km).

I finished 9th which was pleasing considering my splits read Swim- 18:05, Bike- SHOCKING! Run- 37.17. It became apparent that I was a little under prepared for the mountain bike section to say the least. I thought I could ride up hill so I spent my time preparing for the decents which in Mountain biking can be quite tricky. However, I found out I cannot ride up hill but can actually decend reasonably well!

Anyway I had a great time in some new company and was very well look after by the Xterra Team. It is very different to my usual racing because all the athletes both men and women, pro and amateur all start together and race over the same course.

The swim, in a beautiful lake was as normal 1500m, but then the fun started as I grabbed my mountain bike and headed up into the mountains. Although I exited the water with a healthy lead this was easily eroded and I was then going backwards! I reached the top of the mountain in about 16th place and along way back, so on the long decent to transition I tried to stay in one piece but make up some time which I did as I past 3 athletes. The trail run or Xterra Scramble as it called was also very different as instead of being on the road on an easily navigable route, the scrabble takes you through rivers, over boulders, up stairs, along dams and through forests! Although completely shattered by the finish, I enjoyed the race immensely and will look forward to competing in another one soon hopefully the World Championships in Maui.

The race was really well organised and the prize giving had to seen to be believed as all the staff who helped organise the race fed and wined the athletes with the local delicacies including a drink in an unlabelled bottle which was reported to be 50% proof! Xterra is extreme multi-sport at is best, but be sure to practice on your mountain bike first. I will be in the Adventure Tri series!

Lake Temperature Hottest for June

Wednesday, June 22 2005

The lake I swim in regularly in the summer is the hottest it has been for this time of year. No wetsuit swimming is normal in July or August not June. Will the weather hold for the whole summer? I am racing my first Xterra this weekend in Italy where I am told it is very hot, I hope the warm weather training in England has helped!

Successful Day at Windsor

Monday, June 20 2005

Had a great weekend at the Royal Windsor Triathlon. In what can only be described as serious heat I managed to finish fourth. This has qualified me for a place in the British Triathlon Championships and Salford World Cup in Manchester on 31st July 2005. Despite the poor preparations due to injury I was pleased with my performance although a little rusty in places T1, T2 and the run. I am oncourse for the end of July and early August the Big Two in the British Calendar Salford and London.

AJ and Stuart who finished 1st and 2nd both had solid races but I was suprised at Will Clark who had an excellent race to finish 3rd. I will be looking forward to racing all three again soon plus the rest of the Brits in Manchester.

Looking forward to racing again

Tuesday, June 14 2005

Just finished my usual Tuesday night Twickenham Cycling Club burn up through Windsor Great Park. I am happy to say training is still going well with no recurrence of my injury and I am looking forward to racing in Windsor this weekend. The Windsor race is a qualifying race for the British Championships and Salford World Cup in July. A top 12 finish is required. Although I am several weeks away from being back in my best shape I hope still to qualify for the UK's only World Cup and the 2005 British Triathlon Championships.

Hard Run Set Completed

Tuesday, June 7 2005

I am glad to report that thanks to my physio Sabreen I am now back running full sessions, having not completed a run intervals set for several weeks, I managed a quality fartlek today with Annie Emmerson.

Injury Stops Racing

Saturday, May 28 2005

Unfortunately, after racing in Blenheim last week I did not come off the race well. I had been carrying a small injury for several weeks and the race only showed it needed special attention. I have been very lucky to find an excellent physio in Sabreen Qureshi down in Hove, East Sussex. Having seen her several times this week things are definitely on the mend. As a result, I am not racing the French Grand Prix I had planned for this weekend or the World Cup in Madrid next week. However, I am looking forward to Royal Windsor in three weeks where I hope to qualify for Salford World Cup and the British National Championships.

Result at Blenheim

Sunday, May 22 2005

It was a close thing but Andrew Fargus put the hammer down with 300 metres to go and the tank was empty so I had to settle for second place. Great venue though and nice to be able to support my sister in her first tri - will get some pictures posted soon. Off to see Star Wars tonight for a bit of R&R!

So far this year...

I have just arrived home from my first races of the year. On the road for seven weeks with mixed results it has been an excellent block of training in preparation for the long season about to begin in Europe.

My first race of the season, the Australian Championships, was entertaining to say the least. After a great swim tucked in behind Craig Walton with Courtney Atkinson, Andrew Fargus and Shane Reed for company a small group formed a breakaway on the early laps of the bike. After 3 of 8 laps a larger group formed with all the main contenders present.

After a couple more laps the drama started for me. During the descent on the hill I hit a pothole and my saddle bolt exploded! At first I was unsure what was happening but one of the athlete shouted "it's your saddle". A split second later I was left standing on my bike with only my seat post pointing up where my saddle once was. Having negotiated the chicane at the bottom of the descent while standing (not easy) I chased down the pack and had to make up my mind what to do. Realising my next race was a World Cup and that I needed to run off the bike I decided to press on for the remaining three laps of the bike standing up, much to the amusement of the athletes and spectators.

As the bike came to a finish, I realised that removing my feet from my shoes was not going to be easy but managed somehow. As I started the run though my legs were like concrete and I quickly fell to the back of the field. However, I knew my run was in fair shape as I had been concentrating on it during the winter months. After the first lap on which I collected my saddle and returned it transition, my legs began to feel a lot better and I began to pass athletes. As each lap went by I passed more and more athletes and coming into the final kilometre realised I was in 11th -- one place out of the money. With one final effort I managed to get myself into 10th and a small paycheck to cover my hotel in Geelong. Definitely one my stranger races!

On to Honolulu and the first World Cup of the season. Having never been to Hawaii I was exited by the prospect of a new venue and course. With the field loaded with names this race had to be one of the toughest openers for many years.

The swim was not my usual strong leg, I got pummled at the start, and was unable to get round the field as the swim was very narrow due to coral formations just under the surface. Getting out in 37 place was a little unusual and then chasing down the front bike pack even stranger. Once the field had come together the usual attacks started and some were successful. But, as is often the case, the main bulk of the field arrived in T2 together.

The prospect of 10km in the heat of Hawaii against many of the world's best triathlon runners, such as Bevan Docherty and Greg Bennett was quite daunting. However, I knew my run was in good shape, so after a fast T2 I set out in a group of about 25 runners. With a group of five or so already up the road from a successful bike attack the chase was on.

As the run progressed the heat took its toll and runners began to fade. I was going well and my pre-race training in Australia was paying off as I overtook some of the more established runners. As we entered the last lap I was in 17th place and closing on two athletes ahead passing the first with 800m to go and the second with 400m to go. I managed to finish 15th, my best World Cup opener ever!

From Hawaii the World Cup moved to Mazatlan, Mexico for the second race of the year, again a new course and venue for me. Unfortunately I did not get to see much of the course as two nights before the race I ate something that did not agree with me and proceeded to spend the 48 hours before the race sittting on the toilet!!

Although I started the race, I had little strength and realised it would be dangerous to continue in the heat so had to pull out, something I hate.

Next stop on the World Cup circuit for me is Madrid in early June, hopefully in even better shape as we move through the season.