Triathletes in World Championships
The World Masters Triathlon championships were held recently in Canada and three Australian Maccabi Master Triathletes competed in the championships.
Anne Besser a member of the Triathlon Australia management team reports…
Anne Besser and friend
The Opening Ceremony was amazing with the largest number of triathletes ever assembled for World Champs…4.000! The City of Edmonton put on a great welcome to the world including a flyover of Canadian fighter jets!
The Sprint, on Friday,was a one loop swim of the lake and a one loop bike course and run. The Standard distance was double loops on all 3 disciplines.
On your bike
The swim, about 18 degrees, was in a pond – around an island once for the Sprint, and twice for the Standard Distance – spectacular to see – with a long run (thankfully on carpet) from the water to the bikes in transition.
As soon as the bike started there was a slight climb then a long descent which didn’t give anyone time to settle into the bike and warm up.
Hendrik was luckier racing on Friday in the Sprint as the weather was kinder and despite the wind coming up during his race, the temperature was actually good for the race. Hendrik had a glitch though with his new bidon on his TT BIKE – the straw was too short and he didn’t have enough fluid aboard so cramped up in the run. But, generally he was happy with his race and looked good running down the shute!
Standard Distance race day for Deb and Barry on the Monday, saw the temperature drop down to 10 degrees! I had 4 layers of clothes on, a beanie and gloves and was still freezing until after lunch!! Had a great spot to watch the action in the finish shute with my huge Maccabiah Aussie flag to bring them home!
The water temp. stayed the same, but, poor Barry who has about 2% body fat suffered big time with hypothermia because of the windchill factor – couldn’t remember momentarily where his bike was racked and his vision was impaired for the whole bike leg. In fact he didn’t warm up until the second loop of the run. He was a little disappointed with his time – I felt unnecessarily – but was pleased he gave it his all….and…ran down the shute with the biggest grin I’ve ever seen!
Deb also had a fantastic race despite the cold conditions. Her experience at Worlds stood her in good stead and she loved every minute of it. Again, ran down the shute waving two Aussie flags with absolute glee!
Maccabi Australia should be proud of these 3 – they raced on a truly world stage with dignity and pride AND all 3 attribute their lower levels of anxiety to having raced Maccabiah last year. They all gave the race 110%….no one could ask for more. They are on another mission… To qualify and compete in Chicago next year!
Barry and Colette Lipp are making the extra journey across to Montreal and up to the ski area in Mt. Tremblant where Michael is racing the 70.3 Ironman World Champs on the 7th… which shows the true Maccabi spirit!
Thank you Maccabi Australia for giving us all the chance to mix it with the world’s best through the experience that Maccabiah brings.
The championships were held in Hawrelak Park West Edmonton
Why on earth would you write an article without giving the names of the Australian contingent?
Mazeltov to each of the participants, they have done themselves & Maccabi proud.
To compete at this level is extra ordinary for any athlete.
Anne is an inspiration.