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 Vancouver, Canada (6 December 2011) - The International Triathlon Union (ITU), in collaboration with its global marketing partner Upsolut Sports, today announced it has rebranded its World Championship Series and modified the sponsorship structure. To create a stronger and cleaner brand, the series will be re-titled the ITU World Triathlon Series. 

 

Much like the IOC's TOP sponsorship programme, the ITU World Triathlon Series will feature two main sponsors, Dextro Energy and Samsung, and four category sponsors including Suunto and SKINS.

 

"This new structure not only gives our premier series a cleaner image, it also gives us greater flexibility to raise the profile of the series and increase its commercial success," said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. 

 

The 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series kicks off in April in Sydney, Australia.  With eight events in eight different countries, the 2012 ITU World Champions will be crowned at the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand.

 

2012 ITU World Triathlon Series:

April 14-15: Sydney (Australia)

May 12-13: San Diego (USA)

May 26-27: Madrid (Spain)

June 23-24: Kitzbühel (Austria)

July 21-22: Hamburg (Germany)

August 25-26: Lausanne (Switzerland)

September 29-30: Yokohama (Japan)

October 20-22: Grand Final Auckland (New Zealand)

   

In 2011 the series doubled its media figures compared to 2010. The total TV broadcast time was 917 hours; the coverage reached an audience of 207-million worldwide and made 4,592-billion FASPO contacts. The events had more than 1-million spectators while 27,500 participants competed in the age-group races. Christian Toetzke, CEO of Upsolut Sports says: "The popularity of the ITU World Triathlon Series gets bigger and bigger and we're sure there's still huge growth potential. Everybody who ever tried triathlon will do it again."

 

The ITU World Triathlon Series was launched in 2009, expanding the former single-day World Championship race.  Points are accrued throughout the season and athletes who win the overall series are crowned the ITU World Champions. 

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Hi Kate, thanks for joining us! How has the final preparation been coming along for Hawaii?

So far so good! I have been able to do all my sessions although some a little bit better than others and I have seen steady signs of improvement which is encouraging. I have hit a few PB's which helps with the confidence and the hard work is nearly over. It is a little bit scary but so exciting at the same time! 

When do you head over to the Big Island?

When I used to travel to Hawaii from Perth as an age grouper I would make sure I arrived 10 days before allowing enough time to adjust to the heat and humidity. It worked well for me. And although I have been tempted this year to head over 3 or 4 weeks earlier because I can...I decided against it. It is still hot in Boise, I can can get quality training in and stick to my normal routine here without any distractions and not get caught up in the "Hawaii Ironman" atmosphere before I need to. So I will leave Boise on the 28th September and stick to my 10 day routine

How many times have you raced Hawaii now, as a professional and also an age grouper? Tell us about your past experiences there. What lessons have you learnt? 

2011 will be my 5th trip to the Big Island and I have had a mixed bag of results. My first time as an age grouper I crashed and burned! I remember walking in the pitch black on the Queen K with my glow sticks and my brother being out there in the middle of nowhere encouraging me home. I thought that was it, I had been to Hawaii once and didn't want to go again. But who was I kidding! I was back a year later where I still consider that race as an age grouper the best I have had in Hawaii. It was completely different to the year before, I had learnt my lesson and came away with a 3rd place finish in my age group. The last 3 trips all as a Pro have not been quite as good and I am planning to change all of that this year! It is time for a good one!

It was a big change from age grouper to Pro racing in Kona. A swim start that went from over 1000 to this year around 80. A bike ride where there is always someone around to not seeing anyone unless they are riding in the opposite direction. I had to learn to go back to basics and concentrate on my own race rather than getting caught up with what was going around me. 

You had a great win at Ironman Korea in June and obviously handle the heat and humidity well! Any tips you would like to share with our readers on racing in these conditions for Kona? What do you do to cope with the heat?

Korea was a great surprise and also a lucky gamble because Guy and I were living in Boise and it was cold but we didn't want to go early so we travelled half way across the world from cold to hot and arrived Wednesday afternoon. That was 4 days before the race and by spending a little bit of time each day out in the heat and humidity yet still allowing our bodies to rest up we both raced well with good results. I think for Kona if you can get there a week to 10 days before the race you will be fine. A little bit of running and cycling in the heat of the day and your body will adapt. But nothing that is too draining or intense. You are tapering by then anyway. Drinking plenty of fluids, water and electrolytes leading up to the race to make sure you are well hydrated will also help. Then obviously during the race, plenty of fluids. In Korea on the bike and run I was throwing water over my head to keep my core body temperature down. On the run because it was so hot and humid I was carrying a small flask with me that I was refilling at each aid station to get me to the next one. Also sponges, ice down your top and under a cap help in the most important areas!

Have you been doing anything different in this preparation compared to the past?

Yes, it was time to try some new things because last year didn't go so well. So we will see how it goes. I haven't raced a 70.3 leading up to Hawaii although I would have loved to. I stuck to my normal routine and did a big training day instead. Therefore there was no taper or recovery needed and less disruption to my program. I have picked my run volume up which has been exciting and this was something that was progressively going to happen over the last 2 years and my body seems to be able to handle again was I was doing prior to all my stress fractures. I have solely focused on ironman training rather than top end speed but look forward to that challenge again post Kona. 

How can you see the race panning out this year? Who do you consider contenders for the title?

Wow it is going to be an exciting race for both the men and the women. You are in for a great day of Ironman spectating Michelle! It as usual will be won on the run and not by a cyclist. Obviously in the woman, I don't care what people say but Chrissie Wellington is the odds on favourite and I am sure she will be doing everything she can to get her title back. She is amazing! The rest of the podium will still be incredible and I expect it to include the likes of Rhinny, Mary Beth Ellis, Julie Dibens, depending on her injury, and there are always a number of European surprises. The men's favourite, would be Crowie but I think it is going to be a lot closer than the women with Andrea Raelert, Rasmus Henning and Chris Lieto. 

What is the best advice you can give athletes racing in Kona, particularly the first timers?

Kona is incredible. The entire experience is amazing and only those who have been there understand what I am talking about. Definitely take it all in, but remember the week leading up to the race less is more. You have sacrificed so much to get there and trained so hard, don't worry when you see athletes out riding 3 hours the week before the race. Let them! Rest up, stick to your plan and have fun! There are thousands of athletes who would love to be there. When the going gets tough remember you are one of the lucky ones!

Finally, any plans for after Hawaii? We will see you racing on Australian shores over summer and is the plan to defend your Ironman WA title?

After Kona it will be back to Boise for a couple weeks of R and R and packing everything up for the Aussie summer. Definitely plan on racing Ironman WA. Wouldn't miss my home race, especially as defending champion! That is something that doesn't happen very often. A good break over Xmas then back into it in Jan and start the season again. Would love to do more races in Australia and will look at using them to build into fitness early next year. 

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Only arriving in Spain a few days before this race, I was unsure how I would race with the affects of jetlag weighing on my shoulders. Race morning, we left early, drove to the top of the decent at Orio and rode the decent into San Sebastian so we could get a brief idea of conditions. Inigo, who is Basque communicated on our behalf with race directors to secure our free entry to the race allowing us an easy race day process. Today was also an opportunity to test out my new bike in race conditions.

We already knew it was going to be a hot day, so hydration was the key. Going down to swim start on the beach, the water was a refreshing 22 degrees, although we were allowed to wear wetsuits. It was an amazing sight to see hundreds of keen athletes on the beach. The men went 10 mins before us and I was happy to see that there as a lot less females on our start line. In the swim on our first loop, I was with about 3 other girls, not really sure of how I was feeling. After getting out of the water onto the beach to start our 2nd loop, I got back in and felt much better. We started running into the back of the mens pack with all the men that did backstroke and walked up the narrow stairs to transition. I was first out of the water into transition out of the ladies and it was time to start our hilly ride.

The ride was unusual to say the least. Just like Subic Bay, we rode on the right hand side of the road but this time I felt that it was a huge crit bike race with about 30 men in a pack with me with some of them making little sprint attacks. I wasn’t sure if we would draft or not but it was just so hard not to. The bike course was a lot of hills, ups and downs which in negative has an effort on your run performance. I felt strong on the bike as I knew that our long Sunday rides has helped me greatly not only for strength but skills going up and down hills.

Coming off the bike, it was so hot!! Our water bottles were hot before we even started our ride and now I had 10km ahead of me. Looking at the temperature signs, that seemed to rise everytime we went past them, a pleasant 37 degrees came flashing up. I felt comfortable in my run and confident in keeping process and the overall aim in my mind. I knew by my final lap that I had a 3 minute lead over the next lady and this was the time I could pull back, and save myself a shorter recovery time for my next race. Crossing the finish line is always a feeling of accomplishment, especially running through the tape and being able to smile to the camera holding up the number 1!

The race was exciting, challenging and a great experience not only for me but for everyone that participated. I am kind of getting used to people talking to me in Spanish and I know a few of the keys words which helps. I am pleased with my performance after my little crash this week off the bike and the unknown presence or shadow that jetlag haunts us with. It was just nice to know that we weren’t racing in the 41 degrees that was brought upon us when we left!

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A few days ago I had my first race of the US season, Kansas 70.3. I have managed to get some good training under my belt over the past few weeks in Boulder, so was looking forward to seeing where I was at against the competition over this side of the globe…and what better way to gauge a measure of my progress than race against the world’s best in Chrissie Wellington! Chrissie is the type of athlete that comes around once in a life time…if lucky. I look up to her as both a person and an athlete, so it was awesome to be toeing the start line with her.


Race start was an early 6.30am, which was good so as to beat the heat. The 1.9km swim was a one lapper in the Clinton Park Lake. It took me a while to get going in the swim, but after about a kilometre I started to find my rhythm. I exited the water in 5th place, made up a place in T1, and headed out onto the bike course in 4th. 


The 90km 1 lap bike course took us out through the hilly back roads of Lawrence, Kansas. The roads were smooth and the winds favourable for the first half of the bike. I was feeling strong and managed to reel in one of the lead girls at about kilometre 40. With about 15 kilometres to go I was passed by another girl, where I then held my position and headed out onto the run in 4th.


The 2 lap 21.1km run course wound through the Clinton Park campgrounds and dropped down to the lake car park, where we then had to climb up and out of. The first lap felt fairly average, and I knew that if I were to hold my position then I would have to get moving. Luckily I started to feel a lot stronger in the final 10km and ended up running a PB 21.1km time of 1.27. I crossed the finishing line in 4th place Pro female, about 2min down on 3rd and some 18min down from Chrissie (if you want to be the best, you have to race the best!)


I was aiming for a top 6 finish so was pleased to come away with 4th and gain some more World Champs qualifying points and a tonne of experience that I will take with me into my next race at Buffalo Springs, TX in 2 weeks’ time.


Thanks to Cheryl for providing us with such a great homestay, it definitely helps me to stay relaxed prior to a race knowing that I’ve got a comfy bed to sleep in! Also a huge thanks to Sam for making the trek to Kansas with me and taking awesome photos and keeping Mum and Dad updated back home.

My result today gives me the confidence I need going into a season of tough racing over here in the US and it is a stepping stone to bigger and better things to come in the future. Happy days :)

Last weekend saw the combined running of the 2011 Port Macquarie 70.3 and Ironman. Having both the events on the same day was a new concept that seemed to work quite well and I'm sure it will continue on in the future.

 

Port Macquarie was the first 70.3 event I have raced in. After doing well at the long course distance in my past two races I decided to step it up and get a season of 70.3 racing under my belt in an attempt to qualify for the World Champs in Las Vegas in September.

 

I was fairly nervous going into this race - it was the strongest field I have come up against with names such as Granger, Lawn, Wu, Rollinson and Lester all toeing the start line.

 

I learnt two things from this race - 1. I don't want to be doing a full Ironman anytime soon...after seeing all those Ironman athletes out on the course today, it definitely looks like the hardest thing to be done!

2. Don't give up...

 

After posting a good swim I headed out onto the 1 lap 90km bike course with Granger, Wu and Franks. The first few hills combined with the headwind made for super tough riding and I soon found myself spat out the back. It was at this point that I thought my race was over and all those negative thoughts started to creep in. However I soldiered on and started to feel strong again in the second half. With the legs feeling good, I was looking forward to posting a good run time and try to make up some ground.

 

Heading out onto the 2 lap 21.1km run I had no idea what place I was in, but soon heard feedback from the crowd that I was in around about 5th place. This was a lot better than expected and gave me the confidence to give it my all on the run and try to chase down the girls in front. I was feeling good so stepped up the pace and managed to pick up a few places, and eventually crossed the finish line in 2nd place pro female, behind winner Jo Lawn.

 

I was really pleased with this result. The aim was to put in a performance that was respectable and I believe I have achieved that today. This result gives me the confidence that I can mix it with the pro field and it will set me up for a great year in the US. I have so much more to learn and so much more strength to gain, so this is all just the beginning and I can't wait to give it all I've got in the coming years.

 

A huge thanks to Darrel and Sonia Nash for their awesome hospitality while in Port, as well as all the supporters out on the course including Dan, Pat and Allison. Also to my sponsors Malvern Star, Brooks, Giro, Selle SMP and Peak Bike Hub.

 

Once again the biggest thanks to my coach Josh Rix...I will be forever grateful of the countless hours he is putting into training me, it's all starting to pay off :)

 

It's a quick turn around this week, with Busselton 70.3 in 6 days time. If I can get my body right then it should be an exciting race!

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Today was the final round of the 2010/11 Gatorade Triathlon Series held at St Kilda. Melbourne turned on the weather and for once we couldn't have asked for better conditions.

It has taken me most of the week to recover from last weeks race at Huskison. For the majority of the week I have felt pretty flat and the legs have seen better days. However, I was still looking to put in a solid performance in today's race and to ensure that I got the series win for the 2010/11 Gatorade Triathlon Series.

The race was set to be a cracker with the likes of Olympian Erin Densham toeing the start line. I knew the key for me would be the swim - if I wanted to be in the mix I had to be out in that first pack on the bike.

I had one of my best swims to date and headed out onto the bike course in 2nd position, where we soon formed a strong lead pack of four girls. We all rode well together and came into T2 about 45sec up on the 2nd pack. I had a great transition and got out onto the run course in equal first with Densham, where she soon set a cracking pace that unfortunately I couldn't hold onto. I still ran well though and crossed the line in 2nd place Elite Female. This result was enough to take the series win in the Elite Female category and to round out my best summer seasons to date, which has included four 1sts and one 2nd in the 2010/11 Gatorade Triathlon Series, 1st Pro Female at the 2011 Falls Creek Victorian Long Course Champs, 3rd Pro Female at the 2011 Australian Long Course Champs and 5th Pro Female at the 2010 Shepparton Half Ironman.

I couldn't have asked for a better summer - I have found a level of consistency that I haven't had in previous seasons. All the hard work is starting to pay off and I am looking forward to a big season in the States this year.

I have almost finalised my race calendar for the 2011 US season and will post it up on my website shortly (www.madeleineoldfield.com).

This week is going to be a pretty cruisey week, with lots of sleep and not much training for a change!! I am heading up to Bright at the end of the week to recharge the batteries before getting back into it all.

Thanks to all who supported me over the summer including all of my sponsors as well as Mum, Dad, Sam and my coach Josh Rix. It has been an awesome ride and I am still loving every minute of it!! 

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This weekend I competed in the Australian Long Course Triathlon Championships held at Husskison, NSW. Husky is a small seaside town located about 2 hours south of Sydney. After placing 1st at the Victorian Long Course Champs a few weeks earlier, Josh and I decided that I should travel up to NSW to compete in the National Champs.

Arriving in Canberra on Friday, mum and I hired a car and made the trek to Husky, where we were welcomed by our awesome home stay family Cindy, Ellen and Isabel (the Jack Russel).

As the sun began to rise on race morning we all knew that it was going to be a tough race in hot conditions. It was a non-wetsuit swim for the Pro's with water temp being 23.5 degrees. The relatively small Pro Female field was packed with some notable racers including Michelle Wu, Nicole Ward and Matilda Raynolds.

I had a great swim and exited the water up the front. After a quick transition I got out onto the bike course in 1st place, where I was soon joined by Raynolds and later on Wu. The 83km bike course was made up of 3 laps. The first half of each lap consisted of a slow gradual climb with the second half being undulating. I managed to stick with Wu and Raynolds until about 15km to go, where I then started to feel the effects of the hard riding and heat and unfortunately lost contact. This was the move that would prove to cost me the race, however it is these races that I learn the most from! 

Entering T2 I was about 1min30sec down off the lead two girls. I was expecting to feel pretty heavy on the run, however once my legs hit the ground and I got some more nutrition into me I started to feel strong and went about trying to make up as much ground as I could. I managed to come within 50sec of second place, but ran out of road, crossing the line in 3rd place Pro Female, with Michelle running strong to take the win by 2min 30sec and Matilda claiming 2nd. The aim of the race was to podium, and while I wasn't on the top, it was still a good race in which I learnt a lot.

Having only competed in 2 long course events prior to Husskison, I am still learning the in and outs of endurance racing. I have put in some really solid training over the summer months, and with another long course race under my belt I am looking forward to a great upcoming season in the US.

I am living the dream and it all wouldn't be possible without the support of my sponsors Malvern Star, Peak Bike Hub, Brooks Running, Giro, Selle SMP Saddles and Team Barefoot. 



A huge thanks to my Mum for travelling with me to Husky and looking after me...number one support crew! Also thanks to Cindy and Ellen for opening their home to us and Elite Energy for putting on a great event.

For now it's time to eat, sleep and recover in time for the final round of the Victorian Gatorade Series next weekend.