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A Message from
Executive Director - Alan Trivett
On behalf of Triathlon Canada,
I am pleased to bring you the first edition of Triathlon Canada
Insider monthly newsletter.
With the journey to the 2012 Olympic Summer Games now well underway,
we are committed to keeping our members and sport partners informed
of what is happening in the triathlon community across the country.
Looking ahead to London 2012 and beyond, we will continue to be
unwavering in our attempt to build a standard of excellence both on
and off the competitive field. We continue to seek ways to implement
the necessary resources our athletes need in place to compete for the
podium, and with that in mind, it is time to bring the business of
our sport to the same standard of professionalism and success.
This past summer, our athletes were hard at work training and
competing at a very high level against the world's best triathletes.
Having recently completed the Grand Final, our team celebrated a
great deal of success this year with Simon Whitfield's electrifying
win in De Moines, Lauren Groves capturing her first international
podium finish in the same race, and Kathy Tremblay and Kirsten
Sweetland also reaching the podium in World Cup races. It was
all capped off with Paula Findlay's Bronze Medal Performance at the
U23 World Championships in Gold
Coast, Australia.
In addition to highlighting the progress made by our elite Team Teck
squad, The Insider will also be used to profile member clubs,
showcase Canada's
rising young athletes, highlight key events on the triathlon
calendar, and to communicate organization announcements and events.
In this first edition, you will learn about triathlon's debut at the
Canada Summer Games and the historic performance by Alison Hooper,
you will meet rising star on the men's team - Kyle Jones, and gain
interesting coaching tips from Triathlon Canada's new national team
coach, Philippe Bertrand.
We hope you, along with your members, will recognize this effort to
keep you fully informed on the positive advancements Triathlon Canada
is making to ensure success both on and off the playing field, while
being a world leader in our sport.
I hope you enjoy Triathlon Canada's newsletter, and
I look forward to your feedback.
Sincerely,
Alan Trivett
Executive Director
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British Columbia Dominates Triathlon Debut at Canada
Summer Games
 British Columbia athletes owned the podium by
winning gold in all four races at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in
Summerside, P.E.I.
British Columbia's
Alison Hooper and Jeff Phillips put their names in the history books
as the first-ever winners of the individual men's and women's
triathlon events staged at a Canada Summer Games.
Victoria's Hooper, who was racing in
just her sixth triathlon, battled through high waves and windy conditions
on Summerside's waterfront to clock a winning time of 58 minutes 15
seconds on the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre
run.
"I made history today and that is pretty cool," said the
17-year-old Hooper who was racing in just her sixth triathlon.
"I remember watching Simon's race on tv at home and it totally
motivated me to start training. It is such a great sport. I love
everything about it and I think it is awesome that it is now in the
Canada Games."
Victoria's
Jeff Phillips joined Hooper in the history books after storming to
the lead in the men's race. The 20-year-old Phillips won by nearly
one minute after stopping the clock at 53:59.
"I am really happy because I've been preparing for this race for
a year now," said Phillips, who also won the Teck Western Junior
Championship earlier this summer. "I was going for the gold
today and I'm thrilled it worked out."
Later in the week, Hooper and Phillips, joined the rest of their B.C.
teammates to win both the men's and women's team relay competition.
British Columbia's Alison Hooper, Christine Ridenhour and Kyla Coates
teamed up to clock a winning time of 1:09:35 in the relay where each
athlete completes a 300-metre swim, seven-kilometre bike course, and
two-kilometre run. Athletes tag off to their teammate at the
completion of all three disciplines.
Phillips joined forces with Matt Sharpe and Cole Stewart to post a
commanding win in the men's field with a time of 1:04:09.
Congratulations to all of the athletes, coaches and volunteers for
successfully staging triathlons debut at the Canada Summer Games!
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Quote of the Month
"It was pretty much
nearly a perfect race for me today, and it couldn't have happened at
a better time. I think I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but
this definitely gives me more confidence to race against the top
women in the world. I am just so happy with this result. It is
definitely the highlight of my career."
...Paula Findlay, Bronze Medallist, U23 World Championships
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Did You Know...
- The number of
kids participating in Kids of Steel races has grown from 2,022
to 14,908 in just seven years.
- In support of
Triathlon Canada's
National and Development Teams, Sport Canada - through its
Athlete's Assistance program, provides tuition assistance, and
up to $18,000 per year, for living expenses to 10 Canadian
triathletes.
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 Baby Steps to Pursuing an Olympic Dream
Kids of Steel
triathlons are designed across the country to offer kids and young
adults the opportunity to experience the sport of triathlon in a
positive environment. The distances are much shorter than those in
adult triathlons, and increase as participants mature in the sport.
Every province has its own series of youth triathlons that may or may
not bear the name Kids of Steel. The races offer families a chance to
travel within their province, and provide kids with the opportunity
to develop great friendships and enjoy sport. Many Kids of Steel
races are held in conjunction with an adult race, allowing the entire
family to be involved.
The following are a list of Kids of Steel events for September and
October:
September 19 - Toronto
Beaches Best Kids of Steel Duathlon
Contact: familyfunfit@rogers.com
September 19 - Lakeside, Ont.
Lakeside II Kids of Steel
Contact: info@multisportcanada.com
September 20 - Squamish, B.C.
XTC Off Road Multi-Sport Race
Contact: teri@covecommunications.ca
October 4 - Riverport Duathlon
Riverport, N.S.
Contact: steve.saunders@highlinerfoods.com
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 Jamming with Jones
Name Kyle Jones
Career
Goals Win Olympic Gold
Career ambitions outside of triathlon? Own a business
When
not training I am likely? Eating
Favourite
Triathlon Race? Why? Mooloolaba, Australia - the
atmosphere is awesome!
Favourite
Vacation Spot? Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina
Favourite
Book? It's Not About the Bike
Favourite
Movie? Ocean's Eleven
Favourite
Olympic/Paralympic Moment? Simon's sprint
for Olympic gold in 2000
Inspiration?
Alistair Brownlee
If
I had to do maintenance on my car what could I do? Refill
the windshield washer fluid
Before
a race, I will listen to what song?
Pickin' Wildflowers by Keith Anderson
Favourite
Musician? Brad Paisley
If
I could rule the world for a day I would?
Play a set with Federer, shoot a round with Tiger, run 25 laps with
Bekele, climb a mountain with Lance
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 Heroes of Tomorrow - Hanging with Hooper
A little more than one year
ago, Alison Hopper was sitting on the edge of the couch in her Victoria home
cheering Simon Whitfield on to a silver-medal victory at the Beijing
Olympics.
Like millions of other Canadians, Whitfield's electrifying run
inspired the 17-year-old Hooper to pursue a new Olympic dream.
A talented swimmer, who has been putting miles in the pool since she
was eight years old, Hooper switched her trade, and began training
for triathlon.
"I just remember watching Simon's race and it totally motivated
me to start training," said Hooper, who had been approached
several times to try the sport by coaches in the Victoria area. "It is such a
great sport. I love everything about it."
What's not to love? In less than a year, Hooper has won nearly
everything on the table in Canada's junior triathlon
circles. Shortly after capturing the Junior Canadian Championships in
Quebec,
Hooper made history becoming the first-ever triathlon medallist at
the Canada Summer Games.
"This has been a whirlwind first year for me for sure,"
said Hooper. "Winning nationals was a huge shock and absolutely
incredible. I just wanted to podium at Canada Games, but never in a
million years did I think I was going to win."
Not a bad resume for someone who barely had a shot at even making
Canada Games one year ago. Hooper has used her strengths in swimming,
and passion for running, to make her one of Canada's
most talented junior triathletes who capped off her stellar season by
finishing an incredible sixth place in her first trip the World
Championships.
"I was really excited for that experience at Worlds and the
reality check it gave," said Hooper, who spent countless hours
on the bike this past year with Olympian, and one of her coaches,
Carolyn Murray, to bring it up to speed with the top girls in the
country. "Canada
is a great triathlon country, but we aren't the best yet so this was
a very big experience for me to see what I can learn and where I
stand."
Judging by her performance on Australia's
gold coast, Alison Hooper is well on her way to achieving her new
dream - compete for Canada
in triathlon at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games.
"I have a long way to go, but would love to compete for Canada
in 2016," said Hooper, who admits to having to readjust her
goals after her stellar rookie season. "I have two more years of
juniors left. I want to go to the Youth Olympics next year, and I
would like to finish in the top-five in my final year at World
Juniors."
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 Canadian Champions Crowned
Vancouver's Lauren Groves and Victoria's Simon Whitfield captured the elite
2009 Canadian National Championship titles in Kelowna last month.
Groves was joined on the women's podium by World
Cup teammates, Kathy Trem blay of Montreal,
and Edmonton's
Paula Findlay, who finished as the top woman in the Under-23
division. Kyle Jones, of Oakville,
Ont., and Edmonton's
Paul Tichelaar grabbed the final two spots on the men's podium. Victoria's
Andrew McCartney won the men's Under-23 race.
Earlier in the summer, Victoria's Alison Hooper and Connor Hammond,
of London, Ont., captured the junior
women's and men's national crowns at the Junior Canadian Championships
in Gatineau, Quebec.
Hooper handily won the first triathlon race of her career over Saskatoon's Gabrielle Edwards and Quebec's
Marianne Hogan who finished second and third respectively. Hammond hammered his way to the podium ahead of Ontario's Matt Vierula, who locked up the
silver medal, and Quebec's
Marc-Antoine Christin in third.
Congratulations to all athletes on great racing!
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 Exceleration Triathlon Club - Open to All Looking for
Fun in Sport
While
only 10 years old, Exceleration Triathlon Club is operating like an
Olympic champion.
One of Canada's
leading multi-sport clubs, which puts emphasizes sport as a part of a
healthy lifestyle, Exceleration got its beginnings in 1998 as a
summer program in East Vancouver.
Three years later, the truly multi-sport program, which focuses on
the development of all fundamental movement abilities has a mission
to arm youth with physical literacy for life, expanded to a
year-round program.
In 2005, Exceleration expanded into North
Vancouver and officially became the first Triathlon Club
for kids and youth in the Vancouver
area.
Today, Exceleration features three groups that are open to all kids
regardless of ability: Adventure Tri - open to four-to-seven year
olds; Kids of Steel - open to kids seven-to-14; and Youth Group -
which is more advanced racing for youth ages 13-19.
Regardless of the group, Exceleration stresses the fun in sport while
kids learn a wide variety of movement skills through activities,
games, and learning experiences through sport. Athlets choose their
own schedule from the practices offered. And, there is even something
for the parents. One of the busiest nights of the week is Friday when
nearly 50 parents participate in adult yoga, while their children hit
the pool for the youth swim.
Operating one of the largest Kids of Steel programs in the country,
the family-oriented club puts a tremendous amount of value in the
community - encouraging all children to be role models in their
respective communities. As a result, the Club hosts community-based
activities with a focus on healthy and active living. Each year
celebrations are held at Christmas for the East
Vancouver community, charitable food drives are held for
the homeless and used equipment exchanges.
Exceleration is leading the way in inspiring youth to get involved in
triathlon, while making the world a better place.
For more information on Exceleration Junior Triathlon Club, please
visit us at www.excelerationtriclub.ca on the Internet.
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Coaches Corner with
Philippe Bertrand
There are good indicators that the end of the season is
approaching. Cold open water swims...even for the coach in the
kayak, wearing arm warmers on sunny days (or a winter jacket on the
scooter), leaving for World Championship Final or Kona. For
most of us this means that race season is  over and that the
regeneration/transition period can start. This is also,
unfortunately, the period where you'll see the athlete's version of
New Year's Eve resolution. In fact, there is a funny paradox
that with fall usually come an extra motivation and a desire to jump
right into preparing the next season which often leads to injuries or
a lack of motivation later down the road. How often have I seen
super motivated and fit athletes in mid-January just to see them
falter in May or June when it really counts?
For these reasons, taking a rest is not only desirable but
essential. Your body needs this recovery period to recharge the
batteries. The length of this rest will fluctuate depending on
the fatigue, injuries, mental readiness, time constraint and the
planning of the upcoming season.
This principle applies to all athletes, from the beginner to the
elite athlete (short or long course). Only the specificity of this
regeneration will change upon the athlete's profile.
This regeneration (transition) period allows you to look back at your
past season with better perspective. We often tend to analyze
our season right after the last race (good or bad) which results in a
poor judgment perspective. Allow yourself at least two or three
weeks of active recovery (unstructured training, low volume, no
intensity) before analyzing the season. From there you'll be
able to assess the gap(s) you want to fill for the upcoming year (s)
and lay your overall yearly plan.
You can then get back in some form of training. Fall is
fantastic for trail running, cyclo-crossing, hiking and
mountain biking. All activities that keep you close to the
nature. Keep the watch / heart rate monitor / powermeter /
altimeter away...but most importantly keep it light and fun.
Good regeneration everyone.
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 Paula Findlay Captures Lone Medal at World
Championships
Edmonton's Paula Findlay won Canada's lone medal at the 2009 Dextro
Energy World Championships after capturing the bronze in the women's
Under-23 division on Australia's
Gold Coast.
The 20-year-old Findlay
put down one of the best races of her career when it counted the
most, posting a third-place time of one hour 57 minutes 15 seconds
(1:57:15) against the best women triathletes in the world under the
age of 23 over the Olympic distance.
"It was pretty much nearly a perfect race for me today, and it
couldn't have happened at a better time," beamed Findlay, who
has been fighting a series of nagging injuries throughout the season.
"I really wanted to podium, but I didn't know what to expect
today because I have been hurt. I am just so excited to have won the
bronze."
Findlay executed perfect race tactics en route
to the World Championship podium under ideal conditions in Australia.
The budding star on the Canadian Triathlon Team maintained pace with
a pack of six who came charging into the transition area after the
1.5-kilometre swim. The group of six worked well together on the
bike, and opened a lead of more than two minutes on the chase group
after the 40-kilometre bike, setting up a 10-kilometre dash for the
podium on foot.
"I knew that I would be strong in the swim and bike, but with my
injury, I didn't know what would happen in the run," said Findlay.
"I felt pretty good for the first three laps and was able to
hang on and get onto the podium."
Findlay's
brilliant race is another giant step forward in proving she is set to
compete against the world's best triathletes. The young Canuck
competed in two elite World Championship Series events earlier this
season where she finished 15th and 16th.
"I think I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but this
definitely gives me more confidence to race against the top women in
the world," said Findlay, who finished sixth and ninth in her
previous two trips to the World Championships as a junior. "I'm
just so happy with today's result, and it is the highlight of my
career so far."
Victoria's
Andrew McCartney finished as the top Canadian in the men's Under-23
race where he placed 12th. Victoria's
Simon Whitfield was the top male, finishing eighth in the elite race,
while Vancouver's
Lauren Groves wrapped up the 2009 season with a 19th-place finish in
the women's elite category.
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Canada's Age Group Triathletes Bring Home Hardware at World
Championships
The
elite athletes may have taken centre stage at the recent Triathlon
World Championships, but 178 Canadians were amongst more than 3,000
athletes from around the world who descended on Australia's Gold
Coast to compete in the age group categories, ranging between 17 and
79, in both the sprint and Olympic distances in both able-bodied and
paratriathlon.
Canadian age group triathletes captured seven medals in the Olympic
distance including three golds, three silver and one bronze. Canada
also added a bronze medal in the sprint distance categories.
The following athletes won medals for Canada in the Olympic
distances. Suzanne Chandler finished first in the women's 35-39
division, while Stephanie Kieffer set the time to beat in the women's
40-44 category, and Edmonton's
Margie Ritchie won gold in the 50-54 age group.
Steven Hardwicke finished second in the 65-69 division, while Charles
Moreau (TRI-1 M) and Grant Dar (TRI-2 M) also both won silver medals
in the paratriathlon. Scott Takala rounded out the men's podium of
the 20-24 age group in third spot.
Baska Ujejski won Canada's
lone medal in the sprint distance after finishing third in the
women's 45-49 division.
In addition, nine more Canadians posted top-10 results in the Olympic
distance, while six more Canucks cracked the top-10 in their age
groups in the sprint races.
Congratulations to all of the athletes for a week of great racing.
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Three Canadians Run
to Podium at Aquathlon World Championships
Three
Canadians made their way to the podium in the ITU Aquathlon World
Championships, which were held in conjunction with the Grand Final on
Australia's
Gold Coast.
Miranda Tomeson finished second in the women's 20-24 age group, while
Mat Reid won the silver in the men's 30-34 division. Carloyn
Hubbard-Brougham captured the lone bronze medal for Canada
in the women's 40-44 category.
Canada
had the following seven athletes finish in the top-10.
Alannah Traynor - 8th place - 16-19 W
Brittany Dunbar - 9th place - 16-19 W
Lauren Saunders - 9th place - 20-24 W
Heather Dart - 10th place - 30-34 W
Glenn Camplin - 10th place - 40-44 M
Jeanette Hoft - 7th place - 45-49 W
Janice Jones-Skinner - 5th place - 55-59 W
Lana Marcine - 6th place - 60-64 W
The Aquathlon consists consists of a 2.5-kilometre run, followed by a
1,000-metre swim and a final to 2.5-kilometre run. Elite athletes
complete the aquathlon approximately a half-hour to complete the
course. With fast and furious racing individual disciplines transitions
are a vital component if the aquathletes are to be successful.
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