With just one major triathlon event already receiving feature coverage, the first Weekend Box of 2015 contains triathlon-related news of political appointments, a PED violation and two joyous betrothals.

Three new members named to USA Triathlon Board of Directors

USA Triathlon announced Staci Brode, Ben Collins and Joel Rosinbum as the newest members of the organization’s 12-member Board of Directors.

“Staci, Ben and Joel bring new and diverse voices to the Board, the leadership of the organization, which will undoubtedly contribute greatly to the success and growth of our Federation and out sport,” said Barry Siff, USA Triathlon Board of Directors President.

Dallas, Texas resident Brode was appointed to the Board of Directors to fill the vacant seat in the South Midwest Region and will serve her term through the end of 2015. She has been a triathlon coach and race director since 2004. Brode is the President of Playtri, overseeing race production for more than 25 events and general operations of the company, which also includes five retail stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Brode is also involved with coaching and group training programs, youth organizations and triathlon camps.

Chicago resident Collins will have a seat on the USA Triathlon Athletes’ Advisory Council by virtue of his election to the Board as an Elite/Pro Athlete Representative. Collins was appointed by vote of a pool of elite athletes. Collins won the overall men’s titles at the 2007 USA Triathlon age group National Championship and the 2007 ITU age group World Championship before turning pro in 2008. Collins notched more than 10 ITU draft legal events before switching his focus to non-drafting events. In 2014 he won three races and thus earned the Toyota Triple Crown Championship title. Collins also served as a sighted guide at the ITU World Triathlon Chicago for PT5 champion Aaron Scheidies, who is visually impaired.

Austin, Texas resident Rosinbum, who is a current USA Triathlon Athletes Advisory Council member, will also serve as Elite/Pro Representative through 2016, and is the first paratriathlete elected to this post. Rosinbum also represented the United States at a number of international triathlons, including ITU World Paratriathlon events and the ITU Paratriathlon World Championship. Rosinbum rowed crew in college for the University of Portland from 2000 to 2004 and then competed in triathlon prior to a ski accident in 2007 that paralyzed his right arm.

ITU issues one month ban to Australian triathlete

The International Triathlon Union announced this week that it issued a one-month ban to Australian elite triathlete Emma Rose Jeffcoat for an anti-doping violation. Jeffcoat tested positive for a banned diuretic at an in-competition doping test at the 2014 Hong Kong ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup.

The ITU stated that Jeffcoat already completed the sanction, which was back dated to when she provisionally suspended herself when notified of the possible violation.

The reasoning for the light punishment was that Jeffcoat was later granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance by Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee, which gives approval for athletes to use prohibited medications for legitimate therapeutic purposes. Jeffcoat would not have suffered any sanctions had she applied for the TUE before competing in the event, but since she failed to do so she was assessed a one month ban and forfeited her ranking points at the Hong Kong Cup.

By contrast, Brazilian age grouper Silvia Fusco was handed a 2-year ban for EPO found in her system in an October 2014 test. Starting in 2015, Fusco would have been eligible for a 4-year ban.

Jeffcoat issued a statement that accompanied the ITU announcement of her punishment:

“I take full responsibility for my Anti-Doping Rule Violation and acknowledge that the responsibility lies with me as the athlete to check the ASADA status in regards to therapeutic exemptions medication taken. I love triathlon, and I am dedicated to keeping triathlon a clean sport, with a fair and equal field of competition for all athletes. I realise that I have put my reputation and the sport I love at risk of damage, for which I deeply regret. I encourage all athletes to become familiar with the international WADA code and procedure.”

Tommy Zaferes marries Katie Hursey at California ceremony

Pro triathletes Tommy Zaferes and Katie Hursey were married Saturday in a seaside ceremony near Aptos, California. The nuptials were conducted at La Selva Beach and attended by numerous family and friends. Zaferes, a 2008 USA Olympic Trials swimmer, won his first professional ITU events at Treasure Island and Pacific Grove in 2011 and last year won events in Santa Cruz and ITU Kelowna. Hursey had breakthrough wins at ITU World Cups in Palamos, Spain in 2013 and at New Plymouth, New Zealand in 2014.

Katie Zaferes said she was over the moon and wrote an enthusiastic note after the ceremony on Facebook: “Wahooo! Today I woke up Mrs. Zaferes! Yesterday was so spectacularly wonderful I can’t express the amount of joy Tommy and I feel. Thank you so much to EVERYONE near and many far who came out to be a part of our big day… It truly was the best day of our lives!”

Siri Lindley and Rebekah Keat tie the knot in Colorado

Famed triathlon coach Siri Lindley married 5-time Ironman distance winner Rebekah Keat January 14 in a private ceremony in Colorado. Lindley wrote on Instagram: “Yes it’s true! Married the love of my life January 14, 2015. Thank you very much for all the Amazing messages of love and support. #soblessed #2peasinapod.” On January 15, Keat wrote on Facebook: “Yes it’s true I asked and she said yes!! we got married yesterday greatest day of both of our lives!! Our dreams came true!!”