Victorian Sprint Distance Championships and The Geelong Corporate Triathlon.

Today – at beautiful sunny Geelong, what a perfect day it was to host the Victorian Sprint Distance Championships and The Geelong Corporate Triathlon.

I arrived there at 6.00am to be greeted by swarms of mosquito’s the like of which I have seen.  The race organizers were giving out free Aeroguard it was that bad – and yes it was THAT BAD.  Once the sun came up however it was all shine and ready for a race start.

And what a day it was for Tri-alliance. We had so many podium finishes you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t mention you all in this report – as I’m doing all this off memory.

Special mentions must go to all Tri-alliance competitors who raced as it was a great team turnout and a great day for team all-over.

Tameka again showed her class by demolishing a solid women’s elite field to add to her State Olympic Distance Title and taking the $1000 first prize.  I am running out of things to say about Tams season – it is just one of the more pleasing things to watch as a coach.  Georgie Hagan after doing some solid bike miles with big Bob Kelly showed her improvement by finishing 3rd across the line in the Elite Female but being upgraded to 2nd place after Emily Rooke raced in the wrong category.  Well done Georgie, and also a nice little pay day to boot.

Other fantastic performances today and Tri-alliance Victorian State Sprint Age Group - Champions were:

Shaun Gilbert                    (25 – 29 Male)                                 Continues to dominate on the worlds longest taper!

Lynne Duthie                     (15 – 19 Female)                            Future Superstar – no more needed to say!

Leigh Stabryla                   (15 – 19 Male)                                 The ‘Brick’ takes home his first big win, in his first season.  Great job!

Emily Wilkinson                 (20 – 24 Female)                            Part of a Tri-alliance winning trio – and a great effort on the day!

Robyn McGeary                 (40 – 44 Female)                            Not really Tri-alliance but a great Geelong competitor, great win and a joy to watch!

Nikita Pollen                      (Under 16 Female)                         Gutsy win after a couple of days worth of the flu!  And yes its rest time now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Place getters in their age groups today in more fantastic performances were:

Melanie Bennet                  2nd Place (20 – 24 Female)            Finally that podium, and so well deserved.  Might even crack a smile after this one!

Stephen Bews                   2nd Place (40 – 44 Male)                 Great work bewsy, I cheered you as hard as I could.

Alethe West                      3rd Place (20 – 24 Female)            First Triathlon Podium EVER! Great stuff from our newest team member – Potential! - Watch this space!

Other Tri-alliance competitors to compete today and do well were, Brett Archibald, Glen Kempe. Matt Gibson

Todd Robinson didn’t have such a great day with a missed swim start and a dropped chain on a tough course, things have been better for Todd – but this kid has talent to burn.  If he can put it all together on one day, and train hard over the next few years – there is something special to be seen!

One of girls not so lucky today was Sheree Sheriff (Reeve) who got a puncture about 2km in to the bike leg – at least it wasn’t a long walk home. We’ll get em next time.

The other major event for the day was The Geelong Corporate Triathlon held over a 500m Swim / 10km Bike / 5km Run.

The winning team was from the City of Greater Geelong which contained Tassie Webber (swim) Jarrod Evans (bike) and Tim Bentley (run) and I have to say that for once ‘The Coach’ turned it on for 10km and gave Tim Bentley the lead he needed to win (yeeeeah right!).

The other event of the day, which was held yesterday (Saturday), was the Geelong ‘Go Tri It’ Kids Triathlon.  Tri-alliance had two kids participating with Tane Rabbas (8 – 9yr olds) and Jarred King (11 – 12yr olds) and you wouldn’t believe it but both boys won – great efforts both of you and in a few years time will be ones to look out for.

Just another great for Tri-alliance.  Good luck to everyone racing in New Zealand next week.  Unfortunately some of them have a good dose of the flu which we hope will disappear by next week, so all coaches and athletes wish you the best of luck.

Don’t forget to check out all the story’s and photo’s on the Tri-alliance website and please if you have any feedback on today or the race in general please pass it on.

Once again thanks to everyone for coming down and we’ll see you all at Elwood in a few weeks time.

Cheers