• Sarah Springman to challenge McDonald for ITU head • ITU abreast of the Jodie Swallow situation • Ironman UK gets new home... but will it be half or full? • Half-IM UK to Jones, Emmerson • Dillon, Lessing take London amid controversy • Lessing, Swallow on form for British tri champs • Wales-based half-IM close to closing • Foot and mouth wreaks havoc in UK tri community • Finding the talent - Part 2 • BTA announces a new "Triathlon Council" • It's finally official: Ironman UK For olcer UK news, click here.		Sarah Springman to challenge McDonald for ITU head May 6, 2004, Loughborough, Leicstershire, England The British Triathlon Association announced that they intend to nominate Dr. Sarah Springman as a candidate for the position of President of the International Triathlon Union which comes up for re-election in December, 2004, in Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Springman is a former professional triathlete, European Triathlon Champion in 1988 and European Long Distance Champion in 1985 and 1986. She was also Vice President of the International Triathlon Union from 1992 to 1996. Dr. Springman is a graduate of Girton College, Cambridge, and currently Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. An immigrant to Canada from the British Isles, Les McDonald has been at the ITU helm for 15 years. He has been quoted as saying he would stand down after the Athens Olympics. It is, however, widely believed that Mr McDonald will not step down in December but will contest a further term as President. McDonald has survived challenges throughout his political career, yet this one is sure to be a donnybrook. "One reason Les was able to prevail in the past," said one ITU observer, "is that next to those who were running against him he looked like Winston Churchill. That won't be the case with Springman. When you're in a room with her the hair doesn't stand up on the back of your neck, as was the case with former challengers." Indeed Springman, long part of McDonald's inner circle, is quite popular in Europe, as well as Australasia. She's well known and well liked throughout the triathlon world. McDonald is tough, feared, and has a track record of prevailing. At the same time, few who've been around triathlon politics throughout the '90s haven't felt his sting at one time or another. --- ITU abreast of the Jodie Swallow situation August 8, 2003, London, England Jodie Swallow got something off her chest this past weekend. Her swimsuit. The youthful Brit phenom, showed again why she ought to be taken seriously come next year's Athens Olympics. The 22-year-old university student won the prestigious London Triathlon, and took her place on the podium as she has several times this year. But not in her usual uniform. While her Lycra® outfit bore a logo that was, unstretched, within the ITU's size parameters, it seems the particulars of Ms. Swallow's physique created the need for the ITU technical rep to make a judgement call. Her breasts, it was determined, stretched the envelope — and the logo — a bit too far. Cover up the logo (said the ITU) or wear a different outfit. When contacted, a North American ITU source surmised that the British official might have been overzealous in the interpretation of the rules. Nevertheless, this does beg a series of questions — the most obvious of which is, how was this infraction discovered? The physical characteristics of Lycra® not allowing for comfortable expansion beyond a certain level, the infraction cannot have been drastic. One must surmise that the technical delegate not only bore a keen eye, but diligently employed it in the direction of Swallow's chest at the time. One must then verify both the existence and degree of the infraction, requiring the use of a precise measuring device during race conditions. (Perhaps this is one answer to the question: Why would anyone want to be an ITU official?) Research has generated a precedent. More than a dozen years ago Team Pioneer members Jan Ripple and Colleen Cannon — who were on a par with Jodie Swallow in this regard — were also identified as wearing uniforms that, while conforming to the rules unworn, were in clear violation when in use. Had the ITU technical delegate in London been aware that the ITU allowed Ripple and Cannon to compete with nonconforming equipment, perhaps the outcome this weekend would've been different. "It is doubtful this will grow legs," said one person close to the ITU, and one can see why. Should both sides become intransigent the issue would likely end up in the Court for Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne. The spectre of one litigant entering into evidence "Exhibits A and B," is not anything either side is likely to relish (though the same might not be said of the court itself). Perhaps not incidental is the name on the swimtsuit, the "Buzz" recruitment agency, according to a story in London's The Mirror publication, which also noted that, "Damien Stork, from Buzz, said: 'I think this is pitiful.'" On the other hand, with the British media having a practiced eye for a good story, one must withhold judgement on how Buzz's investment in Swallow will turn out. Jodie Swallow was the subject of a Slowtwitch interview in 2001. ----- Ironman UK gets new home... but will it be half or full? November 5, 2002, Llanberis, Wales Officials at Ironman UK announced on Nov. 1 that the race, staged as a half-Ironman for the past two years in Wales, will move to the Dorset region of England for 2003, in part in response to surveys of competitors in the half-IM. The venue will be Sherborne Castle, built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh. It's home to 20 acres of gardens and a 50-acre lake, according to the race website, and it's about a two-hour drive from London. Organizers said "reasons beyond the control of organizers and the supportive local council" signaled the need to move from Llanberis, North Wales for 2003, so the decision was made to go to athletes for their suggestions. The survey found that "an overwhelming majority of competitors would prefer the race to be relocated to a more central and southern area of the UK," the race website said. Athletes did like the late-season date, though, so that will remain. The 2003 edition is set for August 31. The swim will be in the lake on the castle grounds, with the bike and run through the grounds and the Dorset and Somerset countryside. The field will be limited to 1,250. Just one question remains: Half or full-Ironman distance? That decision is expected by early December, the race website said. Meanwhile, athletes are invited to "pre-register" to be notified of the full/half decision and to get a head start on online entries of at least 48 hours before the race is opened up for entry from all. The race website is here: http://www.ironmanuk.com. --- Half-IM UK to Jones, Emmerson September 10, 2002, Llanberis, Wales Great Britain's Richard Jones and Annie Emmerson kept the top prizes at home as winners Sunday of the Half-Ironman UK, now in its second year. The Kona qualifier, which offers 30 slots for the 2003 Ironman World Championships, drew a strong field of long-course specialists, including the third-place finisher in Kona last year, Germany's Nina Kraft. She was second behind Emmerson, a feared runner who has also had success in duathlon and Olympic-distance racing. Emmerson's run split was faster than that of the race's male winner. Belgium's Luc Van Lierde, who was forced to withdraw from the start list at last year's edition, dropped from this year's race on the run amid cool and rainy conditions. Twenty-eight of the 30 slots went to age-groupers, with the male and female winners earning the pro slots. Emmerson declined her slot, however, reportedly saying that she wanted to "earn" it in a full Ironman, which she appears to be feel adds a layer of legitimacy. She has not offered a definitive plan for her move to the Ironman distance, but an early season race as soon as 2003 is possible, according to PR sources attached to the UK half-Ironman race. This race may itself move to full Ironman distance as soon as 2003. Both race organizers and World Triathlon Corporation want the race to move to full distance, according to both parties. Only the operational issues stand in the way-. Will the permits be obtainable? Is the body of water proper for a 2.4-mile swim? (And so on.) Any announcement is probably several weeks away. (RESULTS) ----- Dillon, Lessing take London amid controversy August 13, 2002, London, England Great Britain’s Michelle Dillon and Simon Lessing were victorious in Sunday’s London Triathlon. For Lessing, it was his sixth victory in a row at London; he has won every edition of the race. According to an account of the race from the race’s Nick Rusling, Lessing swam and rode with the leaders before surging on the run to come home nearly a minute clear of New Zealand’s Hamish Carter in second. Great Britain’s Stuart Hayes was third. Lessing’s run, at 31:38, was the only one under 32 minutes and was more than 30 seconds faster than all others on the day. This was the first year the bike course for professionals was to include some of London’s top landmarks, including Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The men’s field was misdirected by the lead motorcycle marshal, race officials said, and the entire field missed 3.5k of the bike. "We are obviously very concerned about the problems on the elite cycle route and are investigating what went wrong," said race chairman Rod Alexander. "But we don't want this to obscure the fact that the event has been enjoyed by 3,400 competitors, and overall we are confident this event is going from strength to strength." In the women’s race, Dillon gave up a minute to the leaders on the swim but worked with countrywomen Annie Emmerson and Andrea Whitcombe on the bike to arrive at T2 in the lead. She pushed the pace on the run to finish 20 seconds clear of Emmerson, also a noted runner. The race, which offered sprint and Olympic-distance options for age-groupers, is expected to raise £750,000 for charity, organizers said. Pros were vying for a $25,000US prize purse. Of the 3,400 age-group athletes who toed the start line, an estimated 50 percent were doing a triathlon for the first time. (RESULTS) ----- Lessing, Swallow on form for British tri champs May 20, 2002, Stockton-on-Tees, England (www.slowtwitch.com): From the British Triathlon website come details of the British National Championships at Stockton-on-Tees Saturday, which were claimed by defending champion Jodie Swallow and multiple world champion Simon Lessing in chilly, wet conditions. In the women's race, Julie Dibens, Swallow and Leanda Cave were the first to exit the River Tees, with Heather Williams in hot pursuit. Cave crashed out after eight kilometers on the bike and was taken to the hospital suffering from facial injuries while Swallow spent the first half of her bike ride wrestling with a stubborn left shoe. It was Dibens who was first out onto the run, with Swallow behind in second and Michelle Dillon in third and closing fast. Swallow surged to move into first, and Dillon's effort also moved her past Dibens and into second place. In the men's race, it was Stuart Hayes, defending champion Richard Stannard and Lessing who were out of the water and onto their bikes first. They worked together on the bike to keep away from the chase pack on the multi-loop course, but they were caught with three laps to go. Richard Allen was off the bike first, but was quickly caught by Lessing who went on to a clear win more than nearly 30 seconds ahead of Marc Jenkins in second. Stannard, who has been fighting a gluteal injury, withdrew on the run. The battle for second and third came down to a sprint between Marc Jenkins and Richard Allen, with Jenkins crossing first. Jenkins, a Welshman, and Allen, a Scot, earned the first Welsh and Scottish berths on the Commonwealth Games teams with their placements. The race was broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday evening. The next chance for British athletes to qualify for the Commonwealth Games will be in two weeks at Zundert, Holland. Swallow and Lessing qualified for their Commonwealth Games berth for England automatically with their wins. (RESULTS) ----- Wales-based half-IM close to closing April 3, 2001, Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales (www.slowtwitch.com): There has been a lot of gnashing of teeth throughout the world of triathlon this year as races have filled quickly, leaving longtime multisport aficionados out of luck when trying to attend their favorite annual events. Keeping with that theme, UK triathletes had better pony up those entry fees early, or they’ll be out of luck come September. HIMUK (Half IronMan UK) has filled 1100 of its 1400-entrant field with over 5 months to go before the race. Race promoter Simon Blackburn said, "HIMUK is all set to reach its 1400 competitor capacity by the end of April." HIMUK is the only official Ironman Qualifier over the Half-IM distance outside the USA, and looks set to be the biggest race the UK has seen since the Manchester World Championships of the early 1990s. The race is set to go on September 9th and will pay US$25,000 in what could be a nice pre-Kona tune-up four weeks before Hawaii. HIMUK is also the first Qualifier for Hawaii 2002 with 30 Slots up for grabs. The race will start in Llanberis, the village at the foot of Mount Snowdon––the highest peak in England & Wales––and has been designed so that both T2 and the finish line are within a few meters of Caernarfon Castle. This 13th century structure was the site of the investiture of the Prince of Wales, and is now a World Heritage site. Full details of the revised race route will be posted on the race web site < http://www.bigtriathlon.com >www.bigtriathlon.com by the end of this week. But what about the big news throughout the British Isles, foot and mouth disease? "Yes," said Blackburn, "it's a big concern throughout the UK. Following careful guidelines laid down by the local Council, the Wales Tourist Board and the Ministry for Agriculture, Food & Fisheries (MAFF) we have changed our course to avoid any potential problems––paths, fields etc." The entire route is now on pavement, with the exception of 3 miles of bike paths which, say the race promoters, "can also be switched to adjacent roadways if need be." "Unless the authorities chose to close the roads, which would be virtually impossible and would close down many local businesses," Blackburn said, "then there should be no reason for the race to be postponed." Race organizers will reserve a section of their website for a foot and mouth update starting next week. They do hope and expect, though, that the problem will be dealt with long before September. ----- Foot and mouth wreaks havoc in UK tri community March 19, 2001, Glasgow, Scotland (www.slowtwitch.com): Great Britain’s devastating outbreak of foot and mouth disease—called hoof and mouth in the U.S.—is wreaking havoc for the triathlon season in that country, especially in Scotland. Foot and mouth is a viral disease that affects many cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, deer, and pigs. It is not dangerous to humans. The disease is rarely fatal to animals but causes blistering in the mouth and feet and leads to massive loss of lean muscle. It is extremely infectious. It is already projected to cause financial devastation to both the livestock and tourism industries in the U.K. Spread occurs by wheels, feet and other objects crossing contaminated land and transferring the germ to fresh territory; the virus has also been said to spread on the wind. Races are being cancelled in areas where the disease is present. The Crichton Duathlon, held in the Border areas of Scotland, has been postponed until another suitable date can be found. The Kielder Duathlon in the north of England has been cancelled. The East Fife Triathlon, which would have been held April 15, has been cancelled. All race organizers have been asked to review their races if they involve movement over farmland. The Scottish Triathlon Association has issued the following statement: "In light of the current foot and mouth outbreak and in support of the Scottish farming community, the Scottish Triathlon Association has recommended that race organisers of Triathlons and Duathlons postpone meantime all races which would bring people to livestock farms or places where livestock are roaming freely. Much of the southern borders and Dumfries-shire and Kirkcudbrightshire are now infected areas because there are a number of confirmed infected farms relatively close together. Within infected areas outdoor sporting events should be postponed or cancelled. "The Association also recommends to all its members that they should refrain from running/mountain biking or road biking near livestock farms or in places where livestock are roaming freely and to exercise great discretion in any sporting activity in the country side in general until the current foot and mouth outbreak is under control. Infected areas should be avoided altogether." Information regarding the British Triathlon Association’s response can be found on Henry Budgett's website. Restrictions have been added to the Fila Breakfast Run to be held April 1. Hampton Court Palace does not want its 500-year-old deer stock affected by 2,000 competitors running on its land. The course has been adjusted and shortened accordingly so that it can go ahead. Details can be found on www.humanrace.co.uk The British Duathlon Championships at Swansea Valley on April 29 are unaffected, as is the Dragonslayer Duathlon on May 6. ----- Finding the talent -- part 2 January 8, 2001, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicester, England (www.slowtwitch.com): This is the second piece of a multi-part collection taking a look at the disparate approaches to the problem of finding triathlon’s next generation of champions. Part 1 focused on Lew Kidder’s approach in the United States. In Part 2 we consider "World Class Start" and "World Class Potential" programs set out by the British Triathlon Association, which are administered by Paul Buxton and paid for by the Sport England lottery fund. The idea is to generate "Start" and "Potential" squads. Like Kidder, Buxton believes that swimming is a major priority "due to the time taken to develop excellent technique," he says. Buxton goes on: "We also believe that running needs to a part of training from a very early age, although at appropriate distances and intensities. The reason cycling is left out of the equation in the early stages is due to the speed at which cycling can be developed. We are not downsizing the need for strong cycling abilities on the international circuit but prioritizing the disciplines in terms of the time taken to develop proficiency." The "Start" Program will be aimed at identifying talented triathletes aged 12 to 16 and providing guidance and support for the early development of their performance. Athletes aged 14 to 16 who have been identified through this plan will be included in the National Start Squad. The "Potential" Program will build on the foundations of World Class Start, developing performers to an international standard. Athletes from the Potential Squad will be expected to feed into the "World Class Performance" program, which is comprised of the best UK athletes. To identify athletes suitable for inclusion in the World Class Start and Potential programs, British Triathlon is running an assessment weekend Feb. 3-4 at Loughborough University for all those between the ages of 14 and 23. As is the case with Kidder, Buxton is looking for athletes who hit target swim times, but he's not nearly as picky. Whereas Kidder is looking for female college seniors and post-grads at the top of their games—with a 400m time of 4:17 or better—Buxton is looking for 17- and 18-year-old girls to ideally hit a time of 4:50 or better. Buxton will also test them for running speed—and the ideal hope (A standard) is for a time of 10:40 over 3km. While Buxton likes to identify his talent at a young age, he wants to bring them along slowly. "I am a strong believer in the reduction of competition distances for the younger age groups," he says. He pushed through a reduced national championship distance for 15/16-year-olds to 400m/10km /3km. ----- BTA announces a new "Triathlon Council" December 8, Ashby-de-la-Zouche, England (www.slowtwitch.com): Last weekend, at the same time that the European Triathlon Union's race directors had gathered in Paris to confirm dates for the 2001 ETU Cup schedule, a second group of disgruntled European triathlon leaders was also gathering in Paris. The outcome of that little-known meeting was made public on Thursday, when the British Triathlon Association and its chairman, Mick English, announced the formation of the breakaway Triathlon Council in Europe. "The British Triathlon Association today welcomed the formation of the Triathlon Council in Europe in Paris last weekend (2-3 December 2000) by the national triathlon federations of Denmark France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland," read a press release issued Thursday by the BTA. The release continues: "The Council was immediately given recognition by the Executive Board of the International Triathlon Union and other European nations are now expected to affiliate. The newly formed body was also empowered to establish an event in 2001 as a qualifying competition for European athletes to participate in the 2001 World Championships. "The decision to form the Triathlon Council for Europe, a body which will be directly affiliated to the International Triathlon Union, follows a decision by the European Triathlon Union's Executive that it is not in any way affiliated to the international body. Those National Federations, which were in attendance at meeting in Paris, were unhappy with this position. "A pro-term executive was formed at the Paris meeting to steer the formation of the new body and full elections are to be held during the World Triathlon Championships which take place in Edmonton, Canada. "Chairman of the British Triathlon Association, Mick English, was elected as the pro-term President of the Council. He stated "the aim of the new body will be to support the principles, constitution, policies, rules and regulations of International Triathlon Union. To work towards the qualification of European triathletes through ITU events in Europe for major championships, and to continue the ITU's strong commitment to Olympic programme status and Olympic ideals." "Other pro-term office bearers are Marisol Casado, Vice President, Spain; Andreas Arvanitis, Vice President, Greece; Carsten Ditlefsen, Secretary General, Denmark; Angelo Bonizi, Treasurer, Italy; Anne-Marie Gschwend, ITU Representative, Switzerland; Event Coordinator, Michel Gignoux, France; and Board Members, Enrique Quesada, Spain; Marco Sbernadori, Italy; Jacques LaParade, France; Ioannis Psarellis, Greece; Christian Giovannini, Monaco." ------ It's finally official: Ironman UK November 29, Llanberis, Wales (www.slowtwitch.com): The town of Llanberis is just a spot on the map in north Wales, but it's now big in the minds of many Hawaii Ironman-minded triathletes. Quietly acknowledged in British circles after word of the race first seeped out in September, the Half-Ironman UK Triathlon was officially announced on Monday by the World Triathlon Corp. It was welcomed by WTC president Lew Friedland as the newest Hawaii Ironman qualifier. It is set for September 9, 2001, as a half-Ironman with 30 qualifying spots and $25,000 in prize money. According to Simon Blackburn, one of the event's managing directors, this will be the largest payday in British triathlon history. (Technically that's true, although the Powerman Guernsey event -- a duathlon -- paid about US$30,000 during each of its three years, until 1999). The Wales race will be run under "provisional" status as a half-Ironman in its first year and is expected to develop to full Ironman distance in 2002. "When we decided to branch out into United Kingdom, we talked with several groups," Friedland said. "We were impressed with the knowledge and the passion of the folks at BIG Triathlon and the great location they selected for the event, so we knew they'd be the right partners for us." The race will be staged by BIG Triathlon Ltd. The principals, each with impressive event and marketing credentials, include Simon Blackburn, Chris Boon, Alison Boon and Ron Bell. They hope to attract a first-year field of 1,400. Information regarding the Half Ironman UK Triathlon is available at www.bigtriathlon.com . Applications for the Half Ironman UK Triathlon are also available online. Interested parties may also contact them at: Half Ironman UK Triathlon, 41b High St., Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4EU, Wales. E-mail: info@bigtriathlon.com. Phone: +44-8700-777-773. Fax: +44-8700-777-774.