Media Release

June 9, 2001 --- Canadian Junior Triathlon Championships

Under today’s scorching sun, the 2001 Canadian Junior Triathlon Championships were held at Birds Hill Provincial Park. Eighteen women and twenty-eight men were racing for spots on Triathlon Canada’s National Team that will be competing at the 2001 Worlds in Edmonton on July 21/22.

The women’s race got under way at 10:30a.m. Early in the 1500m swim Alicia Kaye, from Pickering, Ontario, pulled into the front of the pack and lead the way to the swim exit. Close behind were Kathy Trembley of Gatineau, Quebec, and Erin Hawes from Ontario.

Coming off the 40k bike Alicia maintained her first place position after riding on her own for the entire bike. Kathy also attacked the cycle course solo and came off the bike about 2 ½ minutes behind Alicia. Fleur Faleri of Ottawa, Ontario came off the cycle third, after eating up the course passing 9 competitors on her way.

The final leg of the race, the 10k run, saw no changes to the top three positions. Alicia Kaye, ON, won her first Junior Championship in 2:11:26. Kathy Trembley, QC, claimed the silver medal in 2:13:39. Fleur Faleri, ON, took home the bronze with a time of 2:18:48. These three girls earned themselves positions on the Canadian Junior Elite Team.

Six other happy junior women, including Manitoba’s Erin Braun & Amy Briscoe (who placed 8th and 9th, respectively) earned themselves junior age-group spots on the Canadian team.

On the men’s side, the 28 men entered the water at 11:30a.m. First out of the water was Nick Hastie from Sackville, N.B. in a time of 18:34.  On his heels was Sean Bechtel from Caledon, Ontario. Kevin Breiter, the hometown favorite for a medal, was right behind in third. Kevin flew through transition and headed out first onto the course with a pack of 5 guys. Sadly, on the first lap of the bike Kevin’s derailleur broke off, ending his race for the day and hopes for a medal.

The lead pack worked the course together and we saw Paul Tichelaar, from Beaumont, Alberta come off the bike only 8 seconds ahead of Sean Bechtel, ON and 9 seconds back was Colin Jenkins of Hamilton, Ontario. Paul went on to finish the 4 lap/10 km course steps ahead of the field to claim the rite of 200l Canadian Junior Triathlete Champion. Less than 30 seconds behind, taking the silver medal, was Colin Jenkins; and the bronze went to Sean Bechtel.

Paul and Colin’s performance resulted in junior elite spots on the Canadian team. Sean’s third place finish earned him a junior age group spot on the Canadian team, along with 5 other junior men.

Thanks to the Triple Threat Triathlon club for hosting such a great race!! For a complete set of results, please checkout the website at www.triathlon.mb.ca

This page was last updated on June 9, 2001